Three massive ITV Coronation Street theories: devastating downward spiral and baby secret haunts the cobbles

SIMON Barlow's struggle continues this week and his behaviour escalates as he develops a troubling habit.

Meanwhile, one Coronation Street returnee hides a shock truth from everyone around her and fans think they see right through her.

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1. History repeats itself

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree in Weatherfield and Simon Barlow (portrayed by Alex Bain) will be proving it once again this week on ITV.

Carla Connor (Alison King) encouraged her husband Peter to leave the cobbles for a fresh start but when he boarded his final tram out of the Street, the cabbie was unable to wave a proper goodbye to his beloved son Simon.

Since then, Simon has been left alone to process his father's sudden departure and followed in his footsteps by drowning his sorrows.

Carla tried to give him the benefit of the doubt as he began to spiral.

Unfortunately, Simon was clearly trying his luck and Carla made a huge decision to push him to get his act together.

The Underworld employee was pushed out of his job at the factory and, this week, he spends most of his time in his mother Leanne Batterby's restaurant, The Bistro.

Coming up, Simon wakes up with a hangover and realises that he spilt his beer over Nick Tilsley’s (Ben Price) paperwork.

He quickly hides the evidence and as Nick searches for his papers, Simon makes out he hasn’t seen them and offers to print them off for him.

Simon later calls in the Bistro with the newly printed paperwork and Nick thanks him before urging Leanne (Jane Danson) to try and persuade Carla to give him his job back.

Leanne thus appeals to Carla to give Simon another chance, pointing out how Peter’s departure has left a big hole in his life and he needs direction. 

However, Carla drops a bombshell in later scenes when it becomes clear she has taken her long-lost nephew Bobby Donovan (Jack Carroll) on at the factory in favour of Simon.

Shocked, Leanne offers to have another word, but Simon tells her to leave it.

She then overrules Nick and offers Simon a job at the Bistro but will it go down well?

In other scenes, when Simon starts working at the Bistro, Bobby makes it clear he remains a bad influence on him as he suggests they have a lock-in.

Simon is tempted - could he accept Bobby's suggestion and jeopardise his chances in the Bistro?

Fans have recently taken to social media like X, also known as Twitter, as they shared their thoughts about what was potentially ahead for the lad.

And as he sinks further down in the dumps, many soap watchers are firmly convinced that he inherited the addiction gene from his father.

"Simon's going to end up being an alcoholic like his dad was", one of them penned.

Another added: "Uh oh, Simon. Following in ya dad's footsteps isn't gonna help."

"Simon going to drink himself into a coma and occupy the bed that Michael has kept warm for him", a third viewer agreed.

One fan fumed: "Oh I can’t take a permanently drunk Simon. I’ll have to stop watching if you do that."

"No joking I'm finding this Simon alcoholism story genuinely depressing", another complained.

"Like father like son, feel sorry for Simon though he's missing his dad", one viewer concluded.

Could Simon struggle with his own alcohol addiction?

Actor Alex Bain has reportedly quit his role in the Manchester-based drama - could his on-screen alter ego leave Weatherfield to go to a rehabilitation centre?

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2. Secret lovechild

Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) began the new year back in the cobbles - and in bed with former flame Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).

However, Bethany has kept most of the details of her life in London as a trainee magazine editor under wraps, although Daniel begins to ask questions next week.

Coming up, Daniel finds Bethany engrossed in writing an article in the café but when he enquires what it’s about, she stays evasive.

Later on, it becomes clear that Bethany isn't as professionally stable as she may have wanted or made herself out to be as she calls her publisher.

She’s disappointed when they make it clear they’re not interested in her article.

In other scenes, Bethany panic when Daniel reminds her that it's her turn to treat him to tea.

She covers and makes out that she can't as she's working on a deadline for her job.

Bethany then checks her bank balance in secret and looks at her overdraft with concern.

Once again, she covers in front of her mother Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien).

When Bethany meets with Suki from the Gazette hoping for work, Suki advises her to try Chit-Chat Magazine as they may be looking for someone. 

Will she find what she's looking for?

While this remains to be seen, Corrie fans have started to share their theories about what Bethany could be hiding from everybody around her.

As viewers will recall, Bethany left Weatherfield in 2020 for a chance at a career as a journalist in London, just as her relationship with Daniel hit the rocks.

Since her return, and as mentioned above, Bethany rekindled her romance with Daniel and one fan theory has suggested that she may have had his child in London and keeping her motherhood a secret until the time is right.

"She’s got his son that he doesn’t know about", one fan theorised as another wondered: "His son???"

"Maybe she has had Daniel’s baby from their first relationship", a third commented.

Could Bethany really be a mother?

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3. Big exit for fan favourite

Elsewhere in the cobbles, Todd Grimshaw gets another devastating blow.

The undertaker portrayed by Gareth Pierce struggled to find love in Weatherfield after trying to fight for Billy Mayhew's attention.

But in recent weeks, as his former love rival Paul Foreman has struggled with his motor neurone disease symptoms, Todd was head over heels for a new man - Paul's carer, Moses.

Played by actor Michael Fatogun, Moses was pushed towards Todd by Paul and Billy (respectively portrayed by Peter Ash and Daniel Brocklebank).

And while the chemistry is palpable between both men, their date didn't pan out as planned as Todd received messages from George Shuttleworth about a work emergency, despite having the day off.

Coming up, Todd's budding romance with Moses appears to be doomed as the newcomer drops a bombshell on him.

In the Rovers, a dejected Moses tells Todd that he’s moving to London to find another job. 

Could Todd decide to leave Weatherfield with him to give himself another chance at love?

Or is this the end of the road for the young couple?

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.