{"id":51018,"date":"2024-05-08T22:00:01","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T20:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2037325"},"modified":"2024-05-09T00:04:21","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T22:04:21","slug":"is-evil-nathan-behind-laurens-disappearance-as-return-haunts-bethany-in-coronation-street","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/is-evil-nathan-behind-laurens-disappearance-as-return-haunts-bethany-in-coronation-street\/","title":{"rendered":"Is evil Nathan behind Lauren\u2019s disappearance as return haunts Bethany in Coronation Street?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A past villain made an unwelcome return to Weatherfield. <\/p>

By Laura Denby\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 08 May 2024 at 20:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

This article includes discussion of sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) was horrified to come face to face with Nathan Curtis (Christopher Harper), the man who groomed and sexually abused her, in tonight\u2019s Coronation Street<\/a> (8th May 2024).<\/p>\n

Having carved out a career as a journalist and begun a relationship with Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), Bethany has overcome Nathan\u2019s abuse in the years since he targeted her as a vulnerable teenager. But memories of Bethany\u2019s experience have resurfaced with the case of missing, presumed murdered teen Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the latest edition of the ITV soap, Bethany attended the reconstruction of Lauren\u2019s last known movements, but the day took a dark turn for Bethany when she spotted a man wearing a fluorescent jacket and cap, and instantly recognised him as Nathan.<\/p>\n

Bethany broke down as she confided in Daniel, who tried to assure her that Nathan was still locked up in prison for his crimes, and so she was probably imagining his presence due to her trauma, as well as Lauren\u2019s situation. Backing up Daniel\u2019s point was the fact that Bethany should have been informed if Nathan were released.<\/p>\n

But Bethany was adamant that, unlike previous encounters, she knew she was not imagining her sighting of Nathan this time. She and Daniel were interrupted by the arrival of Nicky Wheatley (Kimberly Hart-Simpson), whose description of a troubled, abused girl who may have news of Lauren caught Bethany\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

Nicky refused to allow Bethany to join her meeting with Ellie (Lola Blue), but Bethany wandered over and introduced herself, spooking Ellie by showing her the cigarette burns on her arm, put there by Nathan.<\/p>\n

Bethany was convinced that Nathan had groomed Ellie and silenced Lauren; but Ellie changed her mind about speaking of Lauren, leaving Nicky and Daniel unimpressed with Bethany\u2019s interference.<\/p>

Daniel doubled down on his belief that Bethany had not<\/em> seen Nathan that day, and Bethany stormed out, upset that Daniel wouldn\u2019t trust her instincts. But is she right to suspect that Nathan is responsible for what\u2019s happened to Lauren?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s already been confirmed that actor Harper has indeed reprised his role<\/a>, having previously played Nathan from 2016 until 2018. Harper revealed in a recent interview shared by ITV that Coronation Street\u2019s call was very unexpected, adding that he has spoken with various charities to ensure that his alter ego\u2019s return is accurate for the storyline.<\/p>\n

\u201cI certainly didn\u2019t expect the call because I didn\u2019t think Nathan would be let out of prison, but unfortunately he has, and I knew that people like Nathan do tend to go back to the place where they carried out their crimes. So once the call came it all made sense.<\/p>\n

\u201cI checked with some contacts at S.H.E.UK<\/a>\u00a0and Voicing CSA, as well as the teams at both Barnado\u2019s and the NSPCC, to check in with them about whether they thought it was a useful representation and they were thrilled that the representation through Bethany\u2019s story is continuing. We\u2019re going to see her living life as a survivor and we\u2019re going to see Nathan\u2019s continued impact on her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Next week, Nathan is attacked by a mystery assailant, but is one of Bethany\u2019s loved ones really behind it?<\/p>\n

Anyone affected by Bethany\u2019s story can find support by visiting\u00a0NSPCC<\/a>\u00a0or calling one of their\u00a0dedicated hotlines.\u00a0<\/a>You can also visit Barnado\u2019s<\/a> and<\/em>\u00a0Rape Crisis<\/a>, or call the 24\/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n