Coronation Street's Cait Fitton breaks silence as fans left divided by Lauren Bolton return

Coronation Street star Cait Fitton has broken her silence as she was seen back on the cobbles for the first time since February. The actress was seen back on screen in the ITV soap on Monday night (July 8) as it was revealed her character Lauren Bolton is alive.

Lauren appeared distraught as she came to Roy Cropper's bedside after he collapsed in his beloved café and had to be given CPR. As viewers of the ITV soap know, the café owner has faced a distressing start to the year having been accused of being behind the disappearance - and presumed death - of Lauren.

But as Corrie fans also know, it was Joel Deering who was Lauren's 'secret boyfriend', giving her money and showering her with gifts, only to turn on her with flashback scenes in May showing him beating her with a chair leg.

READ MORE: Coronation Street spoilers as Lauren returns to Weatherfield, Carla attacks and favourite leaves

READ MORE: Read more of our Coronation Street stories here

Fans were left in the dark over whether Lauren was alive or dead, with plenty of theories doing the rounds, before it was confirmed that she was in fact alive and was seen visiting Roy after he suffered a heart attack following a confrontation with a gang of youths who tormented him over her disappearance.

Following the scenes, Cait took to Instagram, resharing a clip of the moment Lauren returned to her Stories and writing: "The secret's out... Lauren is alive!!!"

She then followed up the post with a video in which she could be seen in her Corrie dressing room. Addressing the secret she has been keeping and now being able to talk about her return, the actress said: "Hi everyone, I'm back!

"Lauren is back, she's alive! It's been a really long time coming but I'm finally back. I'm absolutely buzzing to be back. I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has reached out and shown support while Lauren's been off-screen and I've been away.

"I have seen everything. I've seen the edits, the comments, the messages... I've not been able to respond to them because everything's been so under wraps and so secretive but now, I just want to say I have seen them all and I'm so, so grateful for all the support you've given me."

Cait then teased that Corrie fans will discover why Lauren's been away and what brings her back during Tuesday night's (July 9) episode as she wrote alongside the video: "Thank you everyone for all your support, it means the world!"

But the response to her return has caused a divide, with some saying they 'knew' she was alive and others sure she wouldn't have survived Joel's attack.

@rosefoxee said: "Deffo thought she was dead with the bashing Joel gave her," while @mountfordsimon35 echoed: "How the hell is she still alive after the way he hit her these soaps getting crazy..." @justinraff2021 shared: "OMG! What, how?! Lauren is alive! How on earth did she survived! Welcome back to you @caitfitt0n and I can’t believe it you just came back from the dead."

But @zhneava commented: "I SAID THIS WHOLE TIME SHE IS STILL ALIVE !!! I hope she tells someone & they come for Joel." @xxalicia89 wrote: "She’s alive. I mean, I didn’t believe she was dead as we didn’t see her body, but I wasn’t expecting her to show up in tonight’s ep! Brilliant." @k.wojciechowska123 added: "I knew you were alive, soooo pleased but so sad Roy had to go through this."