Coronation Street viewers have been gripped — and horrified — by the soap’s new grooming storyline, as newcomer Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) finds himself trapped in the manipulative grasp of his former athletics coach, Megan (Beth Nixon).

But there’s hope on the horizon: actress Beth Nixon has revealed who will ultimately step in to save Will — and it’s someone who knows the pain of grooming all too well.

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Megan’s Calculated Control

This week, viewers watched as the Driscoll family’s new life on the cobbles took a disturbing turn. After Will went missing, the teen reappeared alongside Megan, who claimed she had found him “sleeping in the changing rooms” at a sports centre.

While she appeared calm and caring in front of Will’s father Ben (Aaron McCusker) and stepmother Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley), it quickly became clear that Megan’s intentions were far from innocent.

Later that night, in the shadows of the ginnel, Megan met Will again and chillingly told him:

“We can’t run away abroad. We just have to wait. We’ll be together again soon.”

It was the moment that confirmed what fans had suspected — Will is being groomed by a woman he trusts.

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Beth Nixon Opens Up About Playing Megan

Speaking about her role, Nixon said Megan is far more complex than a one-note villain:

“Megan is very calculated. Everything she does is for a reason, but she’s good at hiding it. She’s insecure but masks it with confidence and charm. She makes people like her — she’s almost like a parasite, worming her way into the Driscoll family.”

She added that Megan’s motivation stems from deep insecurity:

“She’s desperate to be adored. Without that external adoration, she would crumble. Will makes her feel wanted, and that’s what drives her.”

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Lauren Bolton Steps In

Nixon also confirmed that Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) will be the one to notice what’s really going on. Having been groomed herself by solicitor Joel Deering, Lauren recognises the same manipulative red flags that others overlook.

“Lauren has experienced something very similar to what Will’s going through,” Nixon explained. “She knows the signs, she spots them, and she becomes suspicious. Megan realises this and changes tactics — she tries to use Daniel [Osbourne] as cover.”

Lauren’s intervention will reportedly be a turning point in the storyline, as her awareness and courage could ultimately save Will from Megan’s escalating control.

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Tim Metcalfe’s Storyline Connection

Fans also suspect that Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) — who revealed earlier this year that he was groomed as a teenager — will play a crucial role.

On social media, viewers are already predicting that Tim’s past will resurface when he realises what’s happening to Will:

“This storyline will tie in with Tim’s. When he sees a teenage boy being groomed, he’ll finally accept that he was a victim too.”

If true, this crossover could deepen Coronation Street’s ongoing exploration of grooming and trauma, linking the experiences of both characters across generations.

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What Happens Next?

In upcoming episodes, Megan will continue to manipulate the Driscolls — even winning over Eva and Maggie (Pauline McLynn) — while Lauren grows increasingly alarmed by what she sees.

But as Megan’s lies begin to unravel, her desperation could push her to dangerous extremes. Will Lauren be able to expose the truth before Megan silences her for good?

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Why This Storyline Matters

This plotline marks one of Coronation Street’s boldest and most socially charged story arcs in recent years. It shines a spotlight on the reality of female predators and the complexities of grooming, especially when the victim is made to believe it’s love.

Beth Nixon summed it up perfectly:

“Megan’s not a monster — she’s broken. But what she’s doing is unforgivable. Will is a child, and she’s destroying his sense of safety and trust. This story is about the damage that leaves behind.”