JOSEPH Brown’s health has become a growing cause for concern in the cobbles and his stepmother Gemma Winter was blamed.
The young boy’s grandmother Linda Hancock makes a comeback next week in Coronation Street just as he’s rushed to hospital.
What is wrong with Joseph Brown (played by William Flanagan)?
Tensions have been rife at No.5 as the lad’s father Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) is convinced there is nothing to worry about while his stepmother Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) raised alarm bells.
After complaining about a persistent headache, Joseph was brought into a hospital in recent scenes of the ITV soap due to Gemma refusing to take any risks.
But once she was there, Gemma was dismissed and Joseph was given a clean bill of health before returning home.
However, it was soon speculated that he could be poisoned and the blame was immediately thrown onto Gemma.
Social services can be involved and the beloved character was forced to move out of her own home, away from her children, pushed in the middle of a harrowing investigation.
Coming up next week, Joseph continues to complain of a temperature and the pattern repeats itself with Chesney adamant that he is fine while Gemma disagrees.
Gemma then shares her concerns about Joseph with her twin brother Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) and pointing out she could jeopardise her situation with social services, advises her to keep quiet.
Later in the café, Gemma shares her concerns with Dr Gaddas as a furious Chesney overhears.
Back at No.5, Gemma, Chesney and Paul lark about with the kids, but the mood is broken by the arrival of Linda Hancock.
Actress Jacqueline Leonard reprises her role in the Manchester-based program, months after her last appearance in the soap for Gemma and Ches’ wedding ceremony.
And once she is in the cobbles, her character takes matters into her own hands.
Linda gives Chesney a business card for a family solicitor but he refuses to discuss it.
Things go from bad to worse when Joseph gags on his milk as Chesney realises that the fridge is broken and all the food has gone off.
He emerges from No.5 with a sickly looking Joseph and assures Gemma that it’s just an upset tummy as Dr Gaddas listens to their exchange with interest.
In other scenes, Gemma finds the solicitor’s business card and accuses Chesney of plotting to take her kids away.
Chesney fights back and assures her he’d never do that – but is he telling the truth?
Everything you need to know about Coronation Street
Later on, Linda reveals it was her idea all along as she doesn’t think Gemma is safe to be around her own children, which prompts the latter to storm out of No.5.
Chesney then receives a call from school telling him Joseph is poorly.
At No.5, Chesney and Linda fuss over Joseph but as he stands his legs give way and he collapses on the sofa, barely conscious.
Panic-stricken, Chesney orders Linda to call an ambulance.
News about Joseph’s health finally reaches Chesney as the doctor approaches to reveal that, after talking with Dr Gaddas, they suspect Joseph has Lyme disease which he contracted whilst camping.
How will Chesney and Linda react?
Will Gemma return home?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
