Coronation Street is airing the return of evil abuser Nathan Curtis this week after seven years.

In upcoming scenes this week, Bethany Platt is left horrified as her past comes back to haunt her as she spots Nathan Curtis in Weatherfield. Soap fans will recall that Bethany was groomed by evil Nathan before reporting him and his gang to the police. The dark storyline concluded with Bethany facing Nathan and the others in court, with him sent to prison.

It’s not long until Bethany sees red and she accuses Nathan, who was released months ago without Bethany knowing, of murdering missing teenager Lauren Bolton, who Roy Cropper has been wrongly accused of killing, with next week’s episodes airing the aftermath.

Taking to social media, viewers have already predicted that Nathan could have a secret link to the cobbles, further explaining his early prison release and Weatherfield comeback. Soap watchers think Nathan could be brothers with solicitor Joel Deering, explaining his early prison release.

One person said: “I wonder if Joel is a brother to Nathan Curtis?” to which a different account replied: “That’s what I begin to wonder myself too x” while another added: “Most definitely!” Elsewhere, another wrote: “I so convince that Nathan Curtis and Joel Deering are brothers.”

Elsewhere, another viewer put: “It’s not Nathan that took Lauren, it’s his brother and the man who got him released knowing that people (mainly Bethany, Sarah, Daniel, Shona etc.) would start suspecting him….Joel #Corrie” while a different fan added: “Nathan Curtis and Joel Deering are brothers #Corrie.”

Soap watchers’ DNA theory comes as viewers are convinced that Joel is behind Lauren’s disappearance. Fans will recall that earlier this year, Dee-Dee Bailey was left confused to find a jewellers receipt fall from Joel’s wallet as it was dated December and Joel had clearly spent a lot of money. Joel found Dee-Dee, Adam Barlow and Alya Nazir discussing the receipt, where he claimed he had bought himself some cufflinks.