Coronation Street fans say 'can we not' as exit teased amid 'Lauren's return'

Coronation Street fans have sent a clear message to bosses after it was revealed Roy Cropper will face more challenging times in upcoming scenes. But news about the much-loved character's upcoming ITV soap storyline has also prompted rumours of Lauren Bolton's return.

Roy has faced a frustrating and distressing start to the year having been accused of being behind the disappearance - and presumed death - of Lauren who mysteriously went missing from Weatherfield on February 23 after being sacked by Roy from her job at Roy's Rolls.

There's been no trace of her since, however, viewers did discover what happened before her exit in shock flashback scenes aired in May. The initial part of the truth was revealed when Joel was met in the street by Hope Stape who handed him a necklace that she found in his car when cleaning it, which viewers recognised belonged to Lauren.

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Then, a flashback clip revealed him to be Lauren's secret 'boyfriend' and him brutally attacking her with a chair leg. However, with Nathan Curtis in the frame for Lauren's murder, Joel is able to carry on as normal and is currently preparing to tie the knot with fiancée Dee-Dee Bailey.

Roy, meanwhile, is still struggling after being released from prison for the crime he didn't commit, with his time behind bars seeing Roy lured to the prison library where Griff Reynold pounced and threatened his life unless he wrote a confession saying he did kill Lauren while holding a blade to his throat.

The soap favourite had written the note before attention was called, and a crying Roy was rescued before emotional scenes saw him released from prison.

Next week, as he struggles to return to his normal life following his prison hell, Roy is seen heading out of the café to take some homemade soup to Shona Platt he is confronted by a gang of yobs calling him names and he stumbles to the floor. Carla Connor rushes to his aid but it is clear he is in pain.

Later, when Shona admits she was never ill, and it was a ploy to entice him back into the café, Roy sends her and Evelyn Plummer packing. Moments later outside, Shona is telling Nina Lucas what happened when an ambulance rounds the corner and they rush to the café where Roy being given CPR.

In the hospital, a visitor appears at Roy’s bedside. As he drifts in and out of consciousness, his visitor stays at his bedside before disappearing. When Roy tells Nina about his surprise visitor, she wonders if he is hallucinating. Who does he think he has seen?

Following the release of the spoilers, Corrie fans were quick to respond to the news of Roy's upcoming health battle. One said: "Man can we not leave Roy alone for 2 minutes." Another asked: "Christ sake, hasn't Roy been through enough?" A third shared: "Oh no ..... not AGAIN !! Are they building up to writing him out altogether ???! I sincerely hope not!!"

Another posted: "Oh not Roy again, give him a break Corrie!" A fourth wrote: "Poor Roy, I hope Joel gets caught out." Another added: "I hope the writers are not thinking of killing Roy off! Plz leave Roy alone and let him get back to himself."

But some think his hospital visit could spring Lauren's return. One person said: "It will be Lauren," as another echoed: "Lauren I think." A third shared: "There have been posts saying he gets a visitor but Nina thinks he's hallucinating. I reckon Lauren visits him!!!!" Another fan added: ""Defo Lauren, because that's who the storyline is about!!"