Coronation Street fans hoped that exposing Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) would bring Sam Blakemanâs (Jude Riordan) torment at the hands of the devious child predator to an end⊠but his mental health is about to take a shocking decline.
The poor lad hasnât had it easy. While the whole of Weatherfield believed Megan was the sweet, bubbly athletics coach she appeared to be, only Sam saw the truth that she was grooming fellow student Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) into an illicit sexual relationship.
Bringing Meganâs crimes to light wasnât easy, especially with the manipulative teacher threatening him at every turn. She even sabotaged Samâs grades at school, causing him to spiral down a rabbit hole of unprescribed Ritalin in a desperate attempt to improve his academic performance.
This would prove to be a massive own goal for Megan, because when Samâs declining health caused him to suffer a shock collapse on the Cobbles, he was rushed to hospital where he finally revealed the truth to his concerned mother Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and Willâs stepmum, Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley).
To Samâs horror, the nightmare was not over. While Ben (Aaron McCusker) and Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) believed the accusations and soon turned on Megan, she was able to worm her way out of trouble with the police by crying crocodile tears and coaxing Will to claim their relationship was nothing more than a âone-sided schoolboy crushâ.
Worse still, the paedophile had been careful to leave no shred of evidence that could be used against her⊠apart from her pregnancy, of course. But with Megan refusing a DNA test, the chance of putting the predator behind bars are slim to none.
This grim reality has taken its toll on Sam. Weeks of torment and bullying at Meganâs hands, all for nothing. Worse still, Will is still very much under his abuserâs thrall and resents his family for keeping him away from the woman he believes to be his loving girlfriend.
While Megan has been thrown out by Leanne and practically chased off the Cobbles, she wonât stay gone forever. Upcoming episodes of Coronation Street will see Meganâs shock trigger a serious mental health concern for poor SamâŠ
While Leanne and Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) argue about Samâs counselling requirements in the Kabin, Will finds Sam in the bistro and offers him an apology. Sam reluctantly shakes his hand, warily. Is Will being sincere?
Later, Toyah tries to encourage Sam to stop worrying about Megan and Will. But itâs clear Sam canât let the matter drop when later at the swings, he tells Hope that he has been reading up on grooming cases. When Will approaches, Hope makes pointed digs about his elderly girlfriend. This surely wonât end well for SamâŠ
Sure enough, Sam approaches Will later in Victoria Gardens while heâs talking to Liam and spells out to Will that his campaign of intimidation wonât work. Will feigns innocence for Liamâs benefit. Is he telling the truth?
At home, Will relays to tells Eva and Maggie how Sam accused him of intimidation for no good reason. Evaâs furiousâŠ
⊠and later, she storms into the Bistro and rounds on Nick Tilsley (Ben Price), Toyah and Leanne, telling them how Sam has been making false accusations about Will.
The worst is yet to come for Sam, when heâs horrified to see Megan and Will at the precinct and rushes to tell Nick, Toyah and Leanne.
At the pub Eva summons Will who swears blind that he hasnât left the pub all morning. Sam leaves, upset and frustrated.
In the salon flat, Sam curls up on the sofa, consumed with anxiety and paranoia.
Nick suggests to Ben that Will might like to join Sam for a pizza as it would be good if the lads could be friends. Ben agrees, while Sam masks his unease.
As Sam leaves the corner shop, he thinks he sees Will and hears his voice, calling him a loser and telling him that nobody cares if he lives or dies.
Is this real? Or are recent evens taking their toll on Samâs frail psyche?
