GEMMA Winter was once convinced Joseph Brown was suffering from major health issues.
Her suspicions are confirmed next week when the child is rushed out of Coronation Street and straight to hospital.
ITV viewers have been expecting a devastating health storyline ahead for Joseph Brown, played by William Flanagan.
Speculation became rife after Gemma Winter (portrayed by Dolly-Rose Campbell) kept the young boy from school in recent weeks and took him to hospital after he complained about a headache.
Her husband Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) was against the idea and Gemma was eventually told by medical professionals that Joseph was in no danger whatsoever.
Coming up next week, however, Joseph’s health turmoil persists as he tells Gemma he doesn’t feel well.
However, Gemma has learned from her past and remains sceptical, aware she overreacted the last time.
But when Chesney’s called out of work to pick him up from school, he berates Gemma for not realising Joseph was ill.
When Chesney suggests she’s not coping, Gemma takes offence and branding herself a terrible mother, slams out.
In later scenes, as Gemma prepares for their early Christmas, Chesney remarks that Joseph still seems unwell and he finally takes things seriously.
On Bernie Winter’s (Jane Hazlegrove) advice, Gemma makes Joseph drink lavender tea in the hope it will perk him up.
But when Joseph passes out, Chesney’s horrified and calls an ambulance.
In the hospital, the doctor tends to Joseph whilst Chesney blames himself, wishing he’d listened to Gemma all along.
The doctor drops the bombshell that Joseph’s been poisoned and Chesney and Gemma reel in shock.
With the Christmas lunch in full swing with Paul Foreman (Peter Ash), Billy, Bernie, Gemma and the quads having a great time, the mood is killed when Chesney and Joseph return home from the hospital with a child protection officer.
Gemma is shocked when she finds out the officer wants to interview her.
With everyone out of the house, Caitlin questions a horrified Gemma and suggests that she may have poisoned Joseph on purpose.
But what really happened to Joseph?
Who could be poisoning him?
The mother of five has been put through the wringer in recent months as she suffered from mental health issues and nearly fell into a burn out.
Everything you need to know about Coronation Street
This was due to the pressure of raising a total of five children, including her stepson Joseph, and balancing out her multiple sources of income to try and make ends meet.
The Winter-Browns have long struggled with their finances, which made things desperately worse for an overwhelmed and overworked Gemma.
But the situation didn’t get any better as she lost her job at The Rovers as the pub was closed down.
How will she cope with being accused of poisoning Joseph?
Could she have done so without realising it due to her extreme fatigue?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
