Coronation Street resident rushed to hospital – as heated custody battle begins

13.12.2024 15:20

TheSun.co.uk

A CORONATION Street resident has been rushed to hospital – while a heated custody battle began on the cobbles.

Viewers have seen Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) go through a tumultuous year on the ITV soap.

ITVLauren Bolton’s tumultuous year has taken yet another dramatic turn[/caption]

ITVMax arranged for Joel Deering’s parents to visit Frankie – under supervision[/caption]

ITVHe was horrified to realise the pair had taken Frankie[/caption]

Today’s (December 13) episode continued her drama, with baby son Frankie taken to hospital.

Lauren’s boyfriend Max Turner (Paddy Bever) has been taking care of Frankie – as she is in prison for Joel Deering’s (Calum Lill) murder.

With Lauren’s blessing, Max arranged for Joel’s parents Gus (Chris Garner) and Anthea (Carol Royle) to have a supervised visit.

Unbeknown to him, the Deerings were secretly plotting with a solicitor to obtain custody of Frankie.

When Max returned after leaving the room, he was horrified to discover the Deerings had taken Frankie.

The couple later texted, revealing they brought their grandson to Joel’s memorial.

Upon their return, the situation became even more heated than before.

As Max fumed over Gus and Anthea’s actions, he vowed to bring Frankie back to Lauren.

But he was stunned when they told him that would not be possible.

The pair filed a report over bruising found on Frankie’s body – and told Max they were applying for custody.

Meanwhile, Lauren was clueless as to how Frankie was bruised and firmly denied she was responsible.

Max had another confrontation with Gus and Anthea once they were all at the hospital.

Held back by a member of staff, he yelled: “They took him, they kidnapped him so that they could hurt him.

So that they could blame my girlfriend!”

Anthea shot back: “We’re glad we took him or we would have never found out what Lauren has done!”

While Max defended Lauren, Anthea delivered a final blow.

She said: “You should look worried.

“You’re going back to prison, just like Lauren. So neither of you can get anywhere near our grandchild.”

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

In the meantime, a doctor confirmed to Lauren they didn’t think she – or anyone – had hurt the baby.

Although the bruises were not “caused by any external trauma”, Frankie needed to stay in the hospital for tests.

What is happening to Frankie – and will he be okay?

Coronation Street continues on ITV1 and ITVX.

ITVLauren gave birth to Frankie earlier this year[/caption]