Roy Cropper (David Neilson) gives Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) a shoulder to cry on

in Coronation Street next week, as she faces more agony over her baby son Frankie.

Earlier this year, Lauren was forced into early labour by evil Joel Deering

(Calum Lill) – the baby’s father – as he drugged her amid a plot to get rid of her.

Following his premature birth, Frankie has been in hospital ever since, with new mum Lauren keeping vigil at his bedside.

This week’s episodes will see Lauren receive a terrifying call from the hospital as she enjoys breakfast with Max Turner (Paddy Bever) at the café.

They tell her she needs to come to the hospital ASAP, as Frankie has suffered a seizure and is being taken for a scan.

There’s still concerns about the newborn’s health next week, when Roy drops by the hospital to check on Lauren.

He finds his friend in tears as she tells him that doctors fear Frankie has suffered brain damage as a result of his seizure, and they have taken him for another scan.

Will Frankie be OK?

Elsewhere next week, the net is closing in on Joel after the police case against him was reopened after Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) and DS Lisa Swain’s (Vicky Myers) dogged investigations.

Following his re-arrest on Friday, the sinister solicitor is released on  bail and starts to act erratically as his crimes begin to catch up with him.

Finding Roy alone, Joel stumbles into the café clutching a bottle of whisky, clearly drunk and locks the door behind him.

Is Roy in danger?