Coronation Street Joel Deering's killer 'unmasked' - and it's not DS Swain or Dee-Dee

Coronation Street fans are in for a thrilling murder mystery twist next week involving Joel Deering.

In the upcoming episodes, spoilers reveal a significant whodunnit surrounding Joel, portrayed by Calum Lill, following the disappearance of the wicked solicitor.

At the beginning of the week, PC Craig Tinker, played by Colson Smith, and Kit Green, enacted by Jacob Roberts, scrutinise CCTV footage from a train station car park, spotting Joel and his father Gus, played by Chris Garner, near a locker.

Later on, Kit interrogates Gus, demanding answers about his missing son's location. However, as the week progresses, the plot thickens dramatically when it is disclosed that Joel has been murdered, having suffered two blows to the head, likely inflicted by a heavy object such as a crowbar. This revelation puts many of Weatherfield's inhabitants under suspicion in the new whodunnit.

In the ensuing scenes, numerous residents face questioning about their recent interactions with Joel and their locations at the time - but who is concealing the truth?, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The murder weapon is believed to be a crowbar, used to deliver the fatal blows to Joel's head.

The plot thickens when one resident, Mason Radcliffe, is seen with the suspected murder weapon. Could this be evidence of guilt or merely a coincidence?

Adding to the intrigue, two other residents, Ed and Ronnie Bailey, find themselves in a tight spot when their car satnav indicates they were in the vicinity of Joel's home around the probable time of his murder.

Despite apparent hints pointing towards Mason, Joel's ex Dee-Dee Bailey's family or even DS Lisa Swain after last week's mysterious moments, soap aficionados on social platforms are convinced the real perpetrator is someone else entirely.

Online theorists are abuzz with speculation that the 'true' guilty party might be none other than DS Swain's daughter Betsy, whom Joel had been pursuing before his demise, particularly since damning messages were found post-mortem.

One viewer speculated on Twitter: ""I wasn't scared of him" Betsy have ya killed him? #Corrie", while another suggested a different angle: "I don't think swain would kill Joel. I am going down a different path and sayin betsy as hurt her #Corrie"; and yet another mused over potential involvement: "I'm wondering if Betsy has anything to do with it? ".

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX