CORONATION Street fans have aired their disgust at an “abysmal” new storyline.

It centres on the return of one key character who was presumed murdered earlier this year – only to then

be seen drinking in the Rovers Return pub this week.

Coronation Street’s loyal ITV viewers are now full of complaint about pregnant teenager Lauren Bolton’s latest return plot.

The character, played by Cait Fitton, was believed to be dead after she was brutally attacked by Joel Deering – yet then proved she was very much alive as she visited Roy Cropper.

The Roy’s Rolls businessman, played by David Nielsen, was previously charged with murder and sent to prison over the youngster’s disappearance yet, after his release, has sadly suffered a heart attack.

Lauren was seen visiting the Cobbles stalwart – and her former boss – as he lay in bed and, after solicitor Joel’s sinister plan to send the expectant mum to Ireland came to light, fans are tiring of the drama.

After spotting her in Corrie’s iconic boozer on Friday, one took to X to write: “Lauren is such a borefest – I don’t care.”

A second posted: “This Lauren and Joel storyline in #Corrie is abysmal.”

A third mused: “Why on earth did they bring awful Lauren back?

“What happened to her does not make her good or likeable.”

One then surmised: “I am SORRY but this is WEIRD. Lauren has been missing & presumed dead for how long?

“Now she is back and casually having a drink at the pub!??”

Previously, the show revealed a bombshell about “murdered” Lauren.

Viewers learned how Joel, played by Calum Lill, was the man responsible for Lauren’s disappearance, having attacked her and left her for dead.

On her return to the street, Lauren dropped the bombshell to Joel that she is pregnant and he is the father.

He has now promised her that she’ll be on her way to Ireland within a week leading some to speculate she could be trafficked away.

Yet there is likely to be drama for some time, after Cait told us eally excited.”

She added: “I think with Lauren stability is a massive issue, there’s something missing,” the “heavy” plotline will span the next 12 months.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun at The TV Choice Awards on Monday, Cait said: “There’s a lot happening with her [Lauren], I love playing her. Big things are coming for Lauren in 2024.

“It’s a heavy storyline but Coronation Street always smash the hardhitting stuff, so I’m rshe told us.

“Her dad’s not in the picture, her mum’s not in the picture. And I think all Lauren wants is love.

“She’ll cling onto anything to be loved.”

Cait continued: “There’s a journey she needs to go on, she’s not where I want her to be yet but there’s time.

“Because she’s such a complex character to play, a lot of people aren’t going to like her.

“But she’s a young girl, she makes mistakes and I think that’s what life is all about – making mistakes and learning from them

“Fingers crossed by the end point, she redeem herself on the street and have that stability going forward.”