The actress told fans it was a privilege to be part of Lauren Bolton’s harrowing storyline

Coronation Street star Cait Fitton looks unrecognisable in a throwback photo she shared with her fans on social media this weekend.

The 22-year-old actress, who plays Lauren Bolton on the ITV soap, posted two photos to Instagram in black and white, alongside a gushing message to her fans.

The first photo showed a grinning eight-year-old Cait stood behind the bar with her hand placed around a beer bump as she mimicked pulling a pint. The second showed Cait 14 years later stood in the same spot in the Rovers Return pulling the same pose as she smiled for the camera.

Alongside the photos, she wrote: “As if by magic… it happened.” Cait, who has played Lauren on the cobbles since November 2022, also thanked her followers for their support as she navigates a difficult storyline on the long-running soap.

Lauren recently returned to the cobbles after disappearing for months at the hands of solicitor Joel Deering, who coerced her into a sexual relationship after helping her out with bills.

When Lauren made her return, she revealed to Joel she was pregnant with his baby, which led him to drug her in an attempt to kill their unborn child. His sickening plan didn’t work as Lauren went into labour early and the baby survived.

This week, as the extent of his crimes came to light, Joel lied to the police, telling them that Lauren had taken illegal abortion pills to try and get rid of the baby.

Reflecting on her role, Cait said it had been a “privilege” to be involved in the hard-hitting storyline. She wrote to her fans: “I want to say a huge thank you for all the continuous support you have all given me (all viewers/non viewers) on Loz and the storyline! Thank you to all for taking time out to send me lovely messages on the storyline Coronation Street is tackling so brilliantly well at the moment.”

The young actress added: “It is a privilege to be a part of such an impacting storyline, continuing to raise awareness and making survivors of Sexual Abuse / Exploitation feel heard, valued and respected! Me and all involved in the storyline are so unbelievably grateful for all the love!”

Cait’s friends, fans and loved ones were quick to show their support, telling the Corrie star how proud they were of her performance – and how “adorable” eight-year-old Cait looked in the iconic pub.

One follower told her: “I love this! You have come a long way since you joined the show in 2022, look at you now loving your dream.” Another said: “You’re doing absolutely amazing! so proud of you, you portray lauren so well and you’re definitely smashing this storyline.”

A third wrote: “Little Cait would be so proud of you.” Another commented: “Maybe you’ll be landlady one day.” A fifth said: “This is adorable, my dream!!”