Coronation Street: Lauren in distress as she enters labour
Coronation Street viewers are speculating that a character may be embroiled in a shocking grooming plotline, following the announcement of their departure from the soap.
Actress Luana Santos, who portrays Sabrina, confirmed this week that she is exiting the show, a year after her first appearance.
Sabrina was introduced as Max Turner's (Paddy Bever) girlfriend, whom she met while he was serving community service for his involvement with a far-right extremist group, unbeknownst to her at the time.
She has been involved in several major storylines, including the unexpected disappearance of Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton).
On Tuesday (August 20), Luana confirmed that she has left the soap and completed filming her final scenes.
In light of her impending exit, fans have speculated about her character's fate - and it doesn't bode well for the young woman, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Earlier this year, Sabrina encountered the sinister solicitor Joel Deering (Calum Lill), who was responsible for Lauren's disappearance.
Joel, a groomer and abuser, plied Sabrina with alcohol in the park, only to be discovered by her friend Betsy (Sydney Martin), who has since been blackmailing Joel.
Given Sabrina's upcoming departure, fans are concerned that she could fall victim to grooming or even be written out of the show through her death.
Responding to a post about Luana's departure, a fan on a Coronation Street Facebook page commented: "I'm wondering if Sabrina is going to be groomed and disappear and that will be her exit story."
Another added: "I feel like she could get killed off." A third joined the conversation, writing: "Remember how Joel tried to chat her up, who knows what he could do next."
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX