As fans of the ITV soap know, Calum Lill is currently playing the evil solicitor

Coronation Street star Sydney Martin has joked she ‘wouldn’t recommend’ getting too close to Joel Deering after the actor took to social media with a ‘dangerous’ update.

As fans of the ITV soap know, Calum Lill is currently playing the evil solicitor with only Lauren Bolton and viewers privy to his true colours. For months Calum had to keep a big secret about who his character really is.

However, the truth about how dark and sinister Joel really was revealed following Lauren’s return to Weatherfield. The teen had been missing without a trace since February before suddenly returning last month.

It was revealed in May, three months after Lauren, played by Cait Fitton, was last seen in Weatherfield, that it was Joel who was behind her disappearance – not Roy Cropper as DS Lisa Swain decided when she charged him with Lauren’s presumed murder.

A flashback clip, which aired after Hope Stap revealed she’d found a necklace in his car after cleaning it to raise money for Little Big Shotz, showed him to be Lauren’s secret ‘boyfriend’ and saw him brutally attack her with a chair leg.

Corrie fans were then left for months to ponder whether Lauren had survived the ordeal and it was confirmed she did when she appeared by Roy’s bedside in the hospital after he suffered a heart attack.

However, as she tried to make an exit from the hospital, she was grabbed by Joel before the truth about what happened between the pair before the shock attack was uncovered. Flashback scenes helped viewers see how things unfolded between the pair and it was also revealed that Lauren was pregnant with his child.

But in recent scenes, Corrie viewers saw her give birth prematurely. Joel’s plans to get Lauren to Ireland appeared to be a ploy and instead, he ordered tablets and secretly drugged Lauren to spur on her early labour. He then locked her in the flat meaning she was alone and trapped before friend Max Turner eventually came to her rescue and Lauren was later taken to the hospital where she gave birth at six months pregnant to a baby boy.

As well as trying to keep his links to Lauren a secret, Joel is also facing the not-so-small matter of being blackmailed by Betsy Swain, who he only recently realised is the daughter of DS Swain. Later, when Betsy, played by Sydney, demanded £100 or she’ll blab about him picking up young girls, Joel lost his temper and dragged her into the ginnel.

Taking to social media, Joel shared a picture of himself standing in the back cobbled streets of Weatherfield and said: “Joel and alleyways are a dangerous combination.” Newcomer Syndey was quick to joke: “Wouldn’t recommend,” while Cait replied: “Not the best combo.”

And Calum’s portrayal of Joel quickly picked up compliments. @official_wezza said: “Sure is!! God help anyone who gets in joel way!! You play him soo good! I cant even hate him ahah.” @amberbabywilton commented: “You play a fantastic villain.” @mcgoldrick.angela wrote: “Love him. What an actor. Love the way he just switches on scary stuff.”

@cathywelbobs replied: “Well done Callum for playing a great role.” @cameronhrvy_24 shared: “I love how you are amazing at playing a villain living a secret double life.” @wickedchicksrule shared: “@calumlill plays such an awesome baddie!!!!” @lesleywagner added: “He may be a bad nasty dude but lawd, he is so easy on the eyes.. So damn cute.”