Bethany (played by Lucy Fallon) has become trapped in her worst nightmare after realising the truth about Nathan (Chris Harper) in the most harrowing grooming storyline to ever grace the northern soap, which has had viewers consistently horrified at the teen’s ordeal.
But in a long-awaited shock twist that will air next week, the teenager changes her mind after agreeing to flee the country with her manipulative beau. While Bethany’s family originally beg her to reconsider leaving, it has little effect until the blonde becomes suspicious of his plans all on her own.
The truth is that the sex-ring leader plans to sell his girlfriend on to the highest bidder in another country, so he attempts to fool Bethany into believing that she needs to travel to Belgium alone while he hides out from police scrutiny.
This time though, Nathan’s lies don’t work, and while he brushes Bethany’s questions off and tries to get her a new passport, the 16-year-old victim is finally seeing him for who he really is.
Harper revealed: “Nathan is going to leave Bethany high and dry with a ‘friend’ of his. He is going to wash his hands of her and move on. She’s been a lot of trouble and this is his last chance to cash in on her.
“As ever, Nathan lies to her about his desire to be together and the strength of his love, telling her that they’re eloping to the continent. But he doesn’t do a very thorough job, and takes her compliance for granted,” the star continued.
The Doctors actor also dropped hints that his troubled character’s plan is beginning to falter. Speaking to Digital Spy, he said: “Nathan is trying to control Bethany through both flattery and fear, but now the clock is against him too. He thinks he’s clever enough to play this game, but things are starting to get very sticky.”
Harper also shared that it may not be much longer before his character gets his comeuppance in some way. While the exact details are being kept secret, he teased: “Bethany will show a lot of courage and do something very difficult. She is actually very clever. I think it’s the moment everyone has been waiting for.
“The effects of abuse can last a lifetime, and Coronation Street take this storyline very seriously. Bethany has a long way to go on the road to recovery,” the actor added.
Coronation Street returns tomorrow at 7.30pm on ITV.
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