*MY OPINION* WHY BRINGING LAUREN BOLTON AND MAX PLATT TOGETHER IS GREAT IN A TIME WHERE THEY NEED ONE ANOTHER

Since the very moment Lauren Bolton was introduced to us viewers back on 2nd November 2022, it is safe to say that the character has had her fair share of difficult and controversial storylines. However, it is 2024 that has seen the character have her toughest following the birth of her son, Frankie at the beginning of August who was last month released from hospital following 3 months in hospital since his premature birth.

Thinking back to November 2022 and the moment Lauren Bolton and Max Turner were placed on screen together you could see this rollercoaster of a friendship forming which has since been through a lot with Max being the only constant in her life since arriving, this is something I am pleased Coronation Street kept allowing for Cait Fitton and Paddy Bever to create a brilliant friendship on and off screen which delivers brilliantly on screen.

Photo Credit: ITV/ Coronation Street

The big change has come in Lauren Bolton's life this year which has been amazing to see and I have to say Cait Fitton has delivered every single scene since her return in July with the wonderful vulnerability that has not only seen the character grow, but also shows how much Cait really knows her character in those vulnerable moments which is fair to say there has been a lot of. Lauren becoming harder on herself more than usually has been hard to see as the year has progressed, however, it's shown everyone how talented Cait is!

Cait Fitton who plays Lauren recently sat down to talk about her character's year and how she felt about the past 12 months saying “It’s definitely been exhausting but also very rewarding.”

Photo Credit: ITV/ Coronation Street

With Coronation Street having bought Max and Lauren together back in October as a couple, a brilliant move in my opinion as since Lauren's return back in July seeing her need a friend and especially after Frankie's premature birth and Lauren having been all over the place emotionally, it's been interesting to see their friendship grow in a subtle way. However, I didn't understand why Bobby Crawford had to get involved but Bobby has been a good friend to Lauren.

When recently asked about why Lauren's friendship with Max Turner has been a vital part, what is it about Max that she can trust, Cait Fitton commented “Max and Lauren have been through so much together and although they are trauma bonded, they also just have so much love for each other. Max has been the only person in Lauren's life that has always respected her and put her first, and that’s why he's the only person in the world that she can trust.”

Lauren has always found it hard to trust people, but her friendship with Roy Cropper has been through so much over the last few months but during recent weeks it has been nice to see him support her without judgement. Cait and David Neilson have delivered many brilliant scenes and you can see that they genuinely care about one another.

Photo Credit: ITV/ Coronation Street

With Lauren Bolton having been revealed a few weeks ago as the killer in the 'Who Killed Joel' storyline was an interesting move allowing for the storyline to come full circle after what Joel did to her earlier this year. I always thought Lauren would be involved and that Max could be the one to protect her, however, I really wanted to be wrong as I didn't want Cait's time on the show to come to an end, but I am still not 100% sure how the story will play out as for me the storyline could go one of two ways if you think about to the spoiler images we saw of filming a while back.

Following Max's release and an emotional Lauren being charged after David Platt took Max's letter to the police the storyline took a turn, and I can't help but think it's for the worst as in all honesty it was self-defence, and Lauren's anxiety is only set to get worse the longer she is away from Frankie, however once Lauren was reunited with Frankie in the daughter and baby unit, you could see how much stronger she was - she wants to provide her son with everything she didn't have and all do this at all costs, she has fought too hard for Frankie to just give up (not that Lauren ever would!)

When Paddy Bever was asked about why his character, Max has always been really protective of Lauren, Paddy stated “Lauren holds a lot of similarities to Max's mum, Kylie. I think Max and Lauren have also experienced a similar trauma. I also think that Max holds on to people that he really loves and because he's lost both of his parents, he has a real fixation on finding a family and building that around him. I think he sees Lauren as his family and you know, she's the mother of Frankie who he sees like a son so he’s been building that proper family unit with her. He wants Frankie to have everything that he didn't, which is another reason why he's so protective of Lauren, but also he just really does love her. She's his first love and I don't think anyone else will ever compare to Max.”

Things are never happy for long for poor Lauren as Joel's parents return as Lauren saw her son return to hospital where he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia seeing the character supported by Max in her time of need having someone you trust supporting you means so much! However, there was one line in Monday's episode (16th December) that honestly broke me as you could see vulnerability that we hadn't seen in a very long time come through mixed with a lot of hurt.

Also, I have to say there is something so wonderful about the way all Max has ever wanted to do is protect Lauren despite everything she has gone through, and even now supporting and understanding why she did what she did especially agreeing to help raise her child if the worst was to happen - showing a lot of growth for both characters. I have to praise Paddy for his brilliant work over the past few weeks that I hope continues.

When asked about her favourite memory of the past year, Cait stated “I have genuinely loved every second of the past year and learned so much about myself and the industry but there's two storyline memories which are my favourite - The first one would be the flashback scene. My other favourite memory would be Calum’s last day on location.”

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday's at 8pm on ITV with episodes available from 7am on ITVX.