On Friday (August 2), Lauren Bolton collapsed on the floor, crying in agony as she tried to reassure her unborn baby that they were both going to be okay. Lauren said: “It’s okay. We’re going to be okay. He’ll be back soon. I promise we’ll be fine.”

With tears streaming down her face, Lauren continued to yell for help, until a shy knock came at the door – with Max Turner turning up rather than villain Joel Deering. Max explained he’d got the address from the taxi app Lauren had used on his phone.

“It saved this address. Are you okay?” Max called through the door as Lauren said: “No, something’s wrong. The baby’s coming.”

Max told her: “No, no, Lauren, it’s way too soon.” But the sobbing teen said: “It really hurts, Max. I can’t get out.” Max reassured her: “Just hang in there, okay? It’s all going to be all right, I promise.”

Thankfully, Lauren was later informed her baby was still alive, after her baby daddy Joel Deering did his best to thwart its survival using drugs to induce an early labour. But fans still aren’t convinced the baby – or Lauren – will survive much longer, and they think Joel could take even more drastic action.

Turning to social media to share their comments, one fan said: “Wow amazing acting and hope the baby survives.” While another echoed: “Joel’s going to try killing Lauren next isn’t he…” Somebody else said: “Oh wow. Hope she and the baby will survive.”

“He better not do anything to that little baby,” another fan begged. Others admitted they’ve found recent episodes too distressing to watch, with one writing: “Storylines of late have been tough to watch… need some more levity as life has enough!”

“Not watched for eight months because of these awful storylines – when can we get back to proper Corrie?” someone else wondered. A third social media user echoed: “Quite distressing to watch. I still think we need to see happy episodes of Rita, Audrey, Gail and Mary on a girls’ holiday to Majorca. Please can we start having happy scenes?”