Yahoo News Corrie's Bethany plot: 7 loose ends still to be tied up
Coronation Street airs the dramatic conclusion of Bethany Platt's grooming storyline this fortnight, as we find out whether evil Nathan Curtis and his gang will face justice for their crimes.
Nathan stands trial next week, but as it's now been a few months since the dark plot was at the forefront of the show, you may need a quick refresher before all those tense court scenes play out. Here's our handy guide to the 7 loose ends that still need to be tied up by the writers.
1. Nathan's fate
The obvious one – will Nathan actually get his comeuppance or walk free? We'll see his trial begin in next Monday's double bill (October 2), with a verdict expected later that week. We already know that Christopher Harper, who plays Nathan, is leaving the show for good – but Corrie bosses haven't actually revealed what the verdict will be.
Our sneaking suspicion is that Corrie will give the dark storyline its rightful ending by making sure Nathan is seen to face the full consequences of his actions. In fact, Christopher himself has even suggested as much in some of his press interviews, but nothing has been confirmed officially just yet and we can never rule out a twist in Soapland.
2. Neil's fate
Once Nathan had been arrested and charged in the summer, Corrie devoted an extra chapter of the Bethany story to corrupt policeman Neil Clifton. Neil was one of the men who raped Bethany during her ordeal and he later abused his position in the police force to help cover for Nathan and their other accomplices.
Viewers who watched the unsettling storyline play out will no doubt be just as anxious to see Neil sent down as they are with Nathan.
3. Nathan's gang
Of course, it wasn't just Nathan and Neil committing crimes in the storyline. Nathan's network was much bigger than that, with Bethany even expected to sleep with three different guys at once in some particularly dark episodes which aired after the 9pm watershed.
The trial sees Nathan, Neil and all of their co-conspirators in the dock, but will they be found guilty or not guilty?
4. Bethany's fears over giving evidence
When Bethany discovered that Nathan and Neil would both stand trial, she understandably felt anxious about having to re-live her ordeal in court. Christopher Harper has already spoken out about this very issue, backing a Barnado's campaign to help support young girls like Bethany on their difficult journeys to justice.
"For young victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation, achieving justice can mean having to relive their ordeal," Christopher explained recently. "Just like Bethany, real life victims face going over their abuse time and time again, which can be extremely distressing and lead to them becoming re-traumatised.
"We've seen how difficult it has been for Bethany to summon up the courage to report Nathan to the police and now she faces cross-examination in court – it's a terrifying prospect for her."
With this in mind, one big question we'll have leading up the trial is how Bethany will cope under cross-examination – if she makes it to court at all. Which brings us to...
5. Where do Mel's loyalties lie?
In the build-up to the trial, Corrie will be reintroducing Nathan's sidekick Mel Maguire, who helped to draw Bethany into his web in the early stages of the grooming storyline. Mel is actually an early victim of Nathan herself, but she agreed to start helping him in exchange for not having to be part of his sinister sex parties anymore.
When Mel returns to our screens in this Wednesday's double bill (September 27), she opens up to Bethany about her own traumatic history with Nathan. However, subsequent scenes see her doing Nathan's bidding once again as she kidnaps Bethany on the first day of the trial.
We'd always hoped she'd do the right thing in the end, but Mel's mission here is to make sure that Bethany isn't able to testify against Nathan in court. If this plan pays off, the case against Nathan and the others would surely crumble.
Is there still a chance that Mel will redeem herself, or has she now chosen the wrong side? Will Bethany turn up for court?
6. Craig's creepy experiences with Neil
Bethany's best friend Craig Tinker was the mastermind behind getting Neil locked up in the summer, as he recorded a conversation between them and tricked him into incriminating himself.
Having witnessed some of the criminal behaviour first hand, Craig will be one of the characters called to give evidence at next week's trial. His testimony could prove crucial, but he's bound to be nervous about speaking out in court. Still caring so strongly for Bethany, will Craig be able to come through for her when she needs him the most?
7. Nathan's other victims
Corrie might also take time to shine a light on some of Nathan's other victims. Shona Ramsey is sure to be keeping a close eye on the case as it unfolds, because she dated Nathan prior to joining the cobbles.
Although Shona managed to get out of the traumatic relationship before Nathan drew her in too deep, she was left with cigarette burns on her shoulder that he'd inflicted and he later arranged for her to be beaten up when she started defending Bethany.
We've also met other girls who've been targeted – like underage Lara, who refused to help in the fight against Nathan when the Platts tracked her down a few weeks ago. There'll clearly be plenty more Corrie drama ahead for Shona as she's a regular character, but will there be any word on what the future holds for other girls who've been affected by Nathan?
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
For more information on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and how they can help you or someone who you know is in need, please click here.
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in Bethany's storyline, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest Coronation Street gossip, as the fightback begins against Michelle Connor's stalker and Bethany Platt's dark storyline is revisited.
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