Coronation Street's Joel 'exposed' as new victim 'confirmed' – and it's not who you think

The next Coronation Street star to face danger at the hands of potential serial killer Joel isn't who you think. Viewers recently saw Joel leering and licking his lips while looking at a photo of Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), sending chills into the hearts of viewers as they feared she was next on the hit list.

However, it looks like she might be spared - particularly as Dan Osbourne (Rob Mallard) is keeping a watchful eye on her welfare - and Express.co.uk can give readers a sneak peek into who will be the victim instead. Joel now has his eye on someone who's currently more vulnerable - Sabrina Adetiba (Luana Santos).

She and Lauren shared something in common as they'd both dated Max Turner (Paddy Bever) but what seems to be luring in Joel the most is the opportunity to take advantage of her distressed state. In scenes soon to be aired, he discovers her outside Weatherfield police station, devastated that her brother's been arrested for questioning.

The creepy character hands her his business card and urges her to give him a call, which will leave viewers fearing for her safety in case she decides to turn to him for comfort. Joel is having an outwardly respectable relationship with fellow lawyer Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) but privately, he seems to specialise in preying on young girls from troubled backgrounds and singling them out for abuse.

Lauren fit the bill due to having been ostracised from society when her right-wing extremist father's actions earned him a jail sentence. She tried to rebuild her life and avoid association with her criminal dad, but was shunned again after false accusations were made that she stole from her employer - gentle Roy Cropper (David Neilson).

In fact, the flashy jewellery and extra money Lauren had was coming from Joel, who was grooming her for sexual abuse.

Knowing how that storyline ended - with Lauren's brutal murder - viewers will be on the edges of their seats as they pray for Sabrina's safety.

It turns out that her friend - who isn't convinced by him at all - is set to make a phone call to Joel urging him to meet her.

Will it be a trap to expose him as a creep or have Sabrina and her pal underestimated just how shady his behaviour is?

If so, they could be landing themselves in huge danger by engaging with him at all.

Meanwhile, viewers are reminded that Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper), who has already served time for trafficking and exploiting Bethany, is now in jail for a crime he didn't commit.

Joel, who as his lawyer has urged him to plead guilty, will now use him as a scapegoat to evade justice, with no-one knowing the true extent of what he is capable of doing.

It looked as though the twisted tale was drawing to a close when Nathan was jailed - but it's only just the beginning.

Tune into Corrie on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV.