Yahoo News Coronation Street offers update in Lauren Bolton disappearance involving Bethany Platt
Coronation Street has revealed an update in the case of Lauren Bolton's disappearance - and it involves Bethany Platt. As fans of the ITV soap know, the teen has been missing for several weeks having last been seen on February 23 afterbeing sacked from her job at Roy's Rolls by Roy Cropper.
The cafe owner later visited her with her wages and some extra cash to tide her over before the character was later visited at home by a mystery person who viewers never got to see.
It came after weeks of unusual behaviour from Lauren linked to a 'mystery boyfriend' while it was new love interest Bobby finding her flat unlocked and her nowhere to be found. But the missing person case soon became a murder probe when blood was found in Lauren's flat.
READ MORE: Read more of our Coronation Street stories here
Poor Roy quickly became DS Lisa Swain's prime suspect after it emerged he was the last person to see her alive. He then misguidedly deep-cleaned Lauren’s flat in a bid to help his friend Evelyn Plummer, who was sub-letting the precinct flat. Roy has since been charged with Lauren's murder and was later refused bail following a scuffle with one of the many internet sleuths who have been targeting him over Lauren's possible death.
Now another shocking twist in the investigation into the disappearance of Lauren has been revealed as Bethany's evil abuser Nathan Curtis is set to be seen lurking in Weatherfield again, more than six years after he was last seen in person and six since he appeared in a vision experienced by Bethany.
It’s Bethany, played by Lucy Fallon, who first spots him at the reconstruction of Lauren’s last known movements and her mind is thrown into overdrive. Having initially thought Nathan, being reprised by Chris Harper, was behind bars, she discovers he was released from prison some time ago and is working on a building site nearby.
Knowing his history, and his appetite for young girls, Bethany soon hits on the idea that Nathan could be behind Lauren’s suspected murder. As Bethany throws all her eggs into Nathan’s basket she’s forced to confront her abuser once more as she determines to bring Lauren’s attacker to justice.
But has she got the right man? With Roy behind bars awaiting trial for murder and Nathan keen to make out he’s a changed character since his time in prison, is the real predator still at large? Or has Nathan, the master manipulator, returned to his old ways?
On being asked to return to the show, Chris has said: "I was emotional when I was told about Nathan's potential return. During the 18 months he was in it before, hundreds of people shared with me how the storyline reflected something they, or someone they loved, had lived through. It remains important to keep them in mind as we continue Bethany's story.”
"Once again, I am grateful for the ongoing support of Barnardo's, NSPCC, S.H.E.UK, and all the people who trusted me last time. We have another chance to raise an issue that affects so many lives, so often shrouded in shame.”
On the character of Nathan, Chris revealed: "I do love playing Nathan though. He is funny, deceitful, slippery, manipulative and ruthless. Now he is also under a lot of pressure too. This new storyline is absolutely full of twists. It really is good to be back on the hallowed cobbles. So much has happened since we saw Nathan sent to prison, but Coronation Street is a constant. I feel like the cast, crew and the whole team are old friends."
