Coronation Street fans had a lot to say about the latest episode as Lauren and Joel came face to face

with the truth about her disappearance being revealed. Coronation Street fans

were left praising the soap after it aired its “best episode this year.”

This week, saw the return of troubled youngster Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) – after months of being missing, and presumed dead. Fans will recall she vanished from the famous cobbles after losing her job at Roy’s Rolls.

However, it wasn’t until last month that viewers discovered that sleazy solicitor Joel Deering (Calum Lill) was behind the teen’s disappearance.

And during Monday’s episode (July 7) it was revealed that Lauren is actually alive – and has been in hiding. The youngster showed up at Roy Cropper’s bedside at the hospital, following his heart attack earlier in the day.

The soap aired flashbacks to reveal the truth  

And in Tuesday’s episode (July 8), Lauren attempted to make a swift exit from the hospital – however, she was grabbed by her attacker Joel and pushed into a family room.

A series of flashbacks throughout the episode showed viewers the truth behind Lauren’s disappearance and her relationship with Joel. The nasty solicitor wormed his way into Lauren’s life after helping her out with bills, eventually coercing her into a sexual relationship.

On the day she went missing, Joel snapped at Lauren when she mentioned his now-fiancée Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown). He then savagely beat Lauren over the head multiple times.

Thinking she was dead, Joel made a run for it, meanwhile Lauren played dead and has been in hiding ever since, in fear for her life.

However, at the hospital, Joel went to attack Lauren again – who clutched her stomach. Stunned, Joel was told by Lauren that she was five months pregnant with his child – but didn’t want him to have anything to do with it.

Lauren eventually managed to flee the hospital as Joel chased after her during seriously tense scenes. The episode ended with Lauren jumping into a taxi and driving away.

Fans have been reacting to the soap on following its latest instalment. On a Facebook fan page, one user wrote: “Tonight’s episode is one of the best in a long time.”

While on X, formerly known as Twitter, one person said: “Tonight’s #Corrie is crowned best of the year for myself. a flashback episode that explains all!”

A third penned: “Just watched tonight’s @itvcorrie and WOW, that was so good. there’s a twist! Loved the flashbacks and finding out what really happened with Lauren. Brilliant stuff between Cait Fitton & Callum Lili.”