Three massive ITV Coronation Street theories: fan favourite finds love and Lauren Bolton’s murderer is caught out

SOAP fans were ecstatic to find out that DS Swain is officially a permanent character after a string of appearances in Weatherfield.

Viewers have speculated that love may be on its way for the Coronation Street copper as she leads a new investigation.

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The search for Lauren continues[/caption]

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An arrest is made[/caption]

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But could Daniel be responsible?[/caption]

1. Murderer exposed

Lauren Bolton (played by Cait Fitton) was sacked from her job at Roy’s Rolls before she made plans to leave Weatherfield to get the fresh start she desired.

The wayward teen was last seen speaking to Roy Cropper (David Neilson) who handed her her wages after booting her out of his café.

Roy and Lauren didn’t part on the most auspicious of terms, as revealed by the café owner in recent scenes of the ITV soap.

This week, however, this admission lands him into huge trouble, particularly when Bobby Crawford (Jack Carroll) explains his relationship with Lauren to DS Swain (Vicky Myers).

In a horrific twist, Roy Cropper is arrested this week on suspicion of murder as new evidence gathered up in Lauren’s flat seems to suggest she could have been severely injured or killed by her attacker.

And while beloved Roy, known for his kind-hearted and quiet disposition, may well be Corrie’s new killer, fans refuse to believe he could have a bad bone in his body.

Instead, many believe that another character could be responsible for Lauren’s unexplained disappearance and potential death as he was also suspected to be the teen’s mysterious boyfriend.

Coming up this week, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) and Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) call round at No.8 to ask about Lauren.

This prompts Max Turner (Paddy Bever) to question Daniel about his tutor sessions.

Realising the dates don’t stack up, Max eyes Daniel with suspicion, particularly as he was trying to figure out who Lauren was dating in secret alongside his own girlfriend Sabrina Adetiba (Luana Santos).

When Max goes to the station to tell Swain about Lauren’s O-Vidz account; he discovers Ryan Connor, another former user of the platform, had already told her.

DS Swain questions Max about Lauren’s secret boyfriend, leading the teen to admit that he never met the mystery man.

However, he reveals that he suspects it’s Daniel Osbourne.

In other scenes, DS Swain quizzes Daniel about his relationship with Lauren, suggesting that she paid for her lessons with sex.

Daniel is horrified and when DS Swain drags up his previous relationships with Summer Spellman, who harboured a deep crush on him, and former sex worker Nicky Wheatley, he demands a solicitor, realising he is under suspicion.

Bethany and Daniel then listen in horror to a radio interview with DS Swain in which she suggests that Lauren was murdered.

Later on, Daniel confides in his father Ken Barlow (William Roache) that he hasn’t slept a wink fearing he’ll be banged up for a murder he didn’t commit.

Viewers of the Manchester-based program may want to believe in Daniel’s innocence but his track record is less than immaculate.

Daniel has proven in the past that he has a violent streak, most notably when he pushed his own father down the stairs.

He reiterated the gesture when formerly troublesome Max wound him up as their feud dangerously boiled over.

In recent scenes of the long-running show, Daniel also found out through his ex-fiancée Daisy Midgeley that Lauren had been using him to blackmail both the Rovers barmaid and Ryan Connor – could he have felt humiliated?

Many other men are believed to be Lauren’s persistent and dangerous ex-boyfriend but with Bethany Platt set to be embroiled in an important storyline teased by soap boss Iain MacLeod alongside Bobby, one could imagine that Daniel may be to blame for the girl’s disappearance.

But Corrie bosses are also known to throw many spanner in the works.

Could the teacher be a red herring leading up to a potential return for Bethany’s tormentor Nathan Curtis?

Has Lauren really been murdered?

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Tracy tries to make Amy and Tommy bond – but could more love be coming her way?[/caption]

2. Big change for Tracy

As mentioned above, DS Swain is going above and beyond to get answers around Lauren’s disappearance.

After a plethora of appearances in the program to fight crime in Weatherfield, the detective sergeant was made a permanent character in the cobbles, sending fans into a frenzy.

Many viewers speculated that DS Swain could find love in the Street and when actress Vicky Myers pointed out that her alter ego was gay, the theory mill went wild.

Fans have suggested that DS Swain could get together with various women in the cobbles, including Dr Gaddas and Carla Connor.

But one woman stood out among them – Kate Ford’s Tracy Barlow.

This week, the owner of Preston’s Petals makes a big mistake following her shocking break up with Steve McDonald.

Matt Milburn reprised the role of Tommy Orpington just in time for Christmas and he’s been wreaking havoc at No.1.

Upon his return to the Street, the former football player embarked on a an affair with Tracy after he was hired as a redecorator.

Blissful weeks went by and while the pair were canoodling in secrecy, Steve (Simon Gregson) was hopeful he could get his marriage with Tracy back on track.

Things obviously didn’t go according to plan as Tracy and Tommy were caught red-handed by Tim Metcalfe and Gav Adetiba.

Once the affair was discovered by Steve, as his best pal Tim told him everything he needed to know, Tracy admitted she wanted out of her marriage and was booted out of No.1 by her own family.

This week, Tracy persuades her reluctant daughter Amy (Elle Mulvaney) to meet her for lunch.

Amy agrees, despite the overwhelming tension, and meets up with Tracy for lunch in the Bistro.

However, she’s unimpressed to discover Tommy, Tracy’s lover and the main cause of the rift between her parents, is there too.

When Tracy explains that she thought it would be nice for them to get to know each other, Amy scowls and orders the most expensive Champagne. 

Whatever the case, Steve soon gets wind of the meal when Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) tells him all about it.

To make matters worse, Toyah reveals that Tracy, Amy and Tommy appeared to all hit it off.

Steve becomes upset as he realises that Tracy may have already replaced him and Toyah realises she’s put her foot in it.

With Amy making it clear she was opposed to Tracy’s relationship with Tommy, could the florist be tempted to end it all and move on with someone new?

Both Tracy and DS Swain are mothers to teen daughters and with the former’s one night stand with Paula Martin still remembered by viewers, many fans believe they could bond over their shared situation before eventually falling for one another.

“Yessss!!! Could be interesting content for Corrie!!!”, one fan commented on social media.

Another jumped in and agreed: “Tracy’s done it before – this could work.”

“She could get with Tracy!”, a third viewer agreed.

Could there be more heartbreak ahead?

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Simon faces the consequences of his actions while a new storyline is on the horizon for his mother Leanne[/caption]

3. New affair

Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.

In an attempt to cope with the feeling of being abandoned by his own father, Simon turned to alcohol, spiralling out of control.

Things went from bad to worse for him when he took his mother Leanne Battersby’s car to drive Sam Blakeman to an event while under the influence – and he crashed the vehicle.

Sam (Jude Riordan) encountered health issues after the accident while Simon has to face the legal consequences of his actions.

Coming up, Simon takes responsibility and tells Nick (Ben Price) and Leanne (Jane Danson) that he is prepared for whatever punishment the magistrate deems fit for him.

Sam, on the other hand, agrees to write a character reference for Simon’s day in court.

Later on, as Leanne and Simon get ready to leave for court, Nick makes out that he’s far too busy to go with them.

Simon is disappointed and Leanne shoots her fiancé a filthy look. 

While Leanne tried to cover for Simon, Nick was less than forgiving towards him as the lad put his own son Sam in danger.

As regular viewers of the Manchester-based program will remember, Nick kicked Simon out of Victoria Court as punishment, leaving him to sleep rough.

In other scenes, Leanne tells Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) that she’s taking Simon to the The Institute seminar at the Chariot Square Hotel.

Debbie suggests she takes Nick along too so they can check out the wedding fayre for their upcoming nuptials.

Under pressure, Nick reluctantly agrees to accompany Leanne to the wedding fayre, but how will it go, particularly as he harbours doubts about their engagement?

While this remains to be seen, much like Simon’s next chapter as Alex Bain is preparing to wave goodbye to soap fans, a new sinister storyline takes shape for Leanne.

Rowan from The Institute charms the restaurateur and gives her the benefit of his advice.

He then talks to Leanne and encourages her to share her innermost thoughts and feelings.

As he makes to leave, he flashes her a smile and Leanne finds herself blushing. 

Actor Ben Price has recently revealed that Leanne is set for a horrific storyline as she slowly falls victim to a cult.

Emrhys Cooper is joining the Corrie cast in upcoming scenes as he takes on the role of brand new villain Rowan.

One could expect Rowan to seduce Leanne, sabotaging her relationship with Nick once and for all to isolate her and coerce her into following his every word before including her in his cult.

Could he be the last straw for Nick and Leanne’s romance?

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV?