Coronation Street hints at new target for Joel Deering

The following article references sexual abuse.

Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street has hinted that Bethany Platt could become Joel Deering's next target.

Viewers learned earlier this week that Joel was Lauren Bolton's mysterious boyfriend and is responsible for her disappearance and presumed murder.

The slick solicitor has heaped suspicion onto Bethany's former abuser Nathan Curtis, leading to Nathan being arrested in connection with Lauren's apparent death.

In Friday's (May 31) episode, Bethany was dealing with the repercussions of Nathan's arrest when members of the media started calling her for comment.

Daniel suggested the case against Nathan is flimsy — given Sarah Barlow has admitted she planned to plant evidence — but Bethany refused to change her mind about the case.

Related: 13 huge Coronation Street spoilers for next week

"I don't even care that the evidence was planted," she said. "It doesn't mean that he's not guilty."

Bethany reminded Daniel that she'd spoken to a young woman, Ellie, who was familiar with Lauren and now wanted to ask her about the case.

"Nathan is in prison so she doesn't have to be scared anymore," Bethany pointed out.

At the jail, Nathan tried to convince Joel that Sarah must have planted the incriminating hair in his van but his solicitor had a vested interest in making sure police continued suspecting Nathan.

"The chances are, you're going to be found guilty," Joel told him. "If you want my advice, I'd give serious consideration to a guilty plea."

Later, Daniel reached out to his friend Nicky Wheatley to arrange a meeting for Bethany with Ellie.

Bethany begged Ellie to share what she knew about Lauren's disappearance because she worried Nathan could "get away with it" otherwise.

Ellie agreed to tell Bethany "everything" about the man who'd attacked her — and when Bethany showed her a photo of Nathan, she confirmed it was him.

However, once Bethany left the flat, it was revealed that Joel had been lurking in the shadows the whole time to intimidate Ellie. He handed some cash to Ellie for lying, then ominously said: "Bye-bye Bethany."

Back in Weatherfield, Bethany shared what she'd learned with Daniel and Sarah, before insisting they needed to "make sure Nathan goes down" for Lauren's disappearance.

The episode culminated at the pub where Bethany confided in Daniel that she wouldn't leave Lauren's disappearance up to the police.

In a dark finale scene, Joel was shown zooming in on a photo of Bethany on his tablet. Will she become his next target?

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage

More information is available from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, 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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