ITV Coronation Street viewers spot huge plot hole after Lauren Bolton's dramatic return

Coronation Street enthusiasts were left scratching their heads after Lauren Bolton (portrayed by Cait Fitton) made a surprise return to the Cobbles this week, revealing she's expecting a baby. Lauren was presumed dead after disappearing in February.

Fans of the ITV soap later learned she had been brutally assaulted by shady solicitor Joel Deering (played by Calum Lill).

Her former employer Roy Cropper (David Nielson) was even arrested and imprisoned for her supposed murder. The residents of Weatherfield searched high and low for the troubled teenager, but their efforts were fruitless.

However, it was sex trafficker Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper), set up by corrupt police officer Kit Green (Jacob Roberts), who ultimately took the blame for her alleged murder.

On Monday, Lauren made an unexpected return to the ITV soap, confirming she was alive as she visited Roy Cropper in hospital following his heart attack, reports the Express.

In Tuesday's episode (July 8), Lauren attempted to make a swift exit from the hospital but was intercepted by her attacker Joel, and coerced into a family room.

Just as Joel was about to strike again at the hospital, Lauren clutched her stomach and disclosed she was five months pregnant with his child - firmly stating he would have no involvement in the baby's life.

However, Corrie fans have all been voicing the same gripe about Lauren's storyline as the character went unnoticed while out and about.

Viewers are puzzled as to how nobody recognised Lauren walking around given she was the subject of a murder investigation that lasted for months.

One eagle-eyed Corrie enthusiast tweeted: "I'm not saying that the Lauren storyline is implausible but a girl with blood-soaked hair charging about, begging for money and hopping on a coach AND a TV appeal AND a murder investigation and not one person saw?? #Corrie." (sic)

Another fan emphatically pointed out: "#Corrie 1 thing... wouldn't Lauren change the style or dye her hair considering everyone has been looking for her for the past six months! You got some explaining to do Corrie."

A third fan added their thoughts: "So she got a coach outta dodge, covered in blood and crying and not a single CCTV caught it and the police couldn't find any trace. The blood trail magically stopped at her flat. Thank goodness we have Bethany, who's bound to trace that hideous coat #corrie." (sic)

"And another chimed in with disdain: "What a ridiculous storyline. So, Lauren ran away, head pouring with blood, no money, no phone, no clothes, pregnant, got on a coach, and kept herself for 5 months? Silly. Silly story. #Corrie."

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX