Coronation Street fans convinced fan favourite character has returned months after shock exit

TROUBLED teen Max Turner will become more estranged from his family than ever amid a dark grooming storyline.

But after last night’s Coronation Street instalment, viewers were stunned to see a Kelly Neelan doppelganger.

Max (portrayed by Paddy Bever) is slowly falling under Griff Reynolds’ (Michael Condron) spell.

After being the target of bullies, the lad is at the core of a new storyline which will see him being embroiled in the acts of an extremist group led by the “eco-warrior.”

Griff most recently took care of Max’s tormentors for him, making sure his hold on the isolated and impressionable youngster was firm.

During Wednesday’s (November 2, 2022) trip to the cobbles, Max was lured back to Griff’s flat, where he first attended a Halloween party.

It was there and then that he met newcomer Lauren, who he seemed to take an instant liking to.

However, ITV viewers were more distracted by her resemblance with an unforgotten character.

In their eyes, Lauren was the spitting image of Kelly Neelan, who was played by Millie Gibson.

Fans were confused for a split second, believing Kelly had returned.

“I thought that girl was Kelly then”, one soap fan commented as another added: “Lauren is the new Kelly!”

“Is this new girl Kelly 2.0?”, one viewer questioned.

Another exclaimed: “What the multiverse of Kelly Neelan is going on with that girl?”

“That girl looks just like Kelly”, echoed another.

Actress Millie Gibson bowed out of the Manchester-based drama in September, 2022.

Her on-screen character found out the truth about her father Rick’s death and turned on her guardian Gary Windass.

She quickly hatched a plan to get revenge on Gary but this backfired and left her own life in danger when she was held hostage again by Kieron.

Kelly eventually had a change of heart about Gary, who was taken to the place he killed Rick and forced to dig his own grave before getting away.

The pair were still in danger, held up on the roof of a building.

Aadi Alahan saved the day, taking a bullet for Kelly.

But nothing could ever be the same for her.

After giving Aadi his engagement ring back, deeming she was a “toxic” influence in his life, Kelly packed up her bags and left Weatherfield.

Could she make a surprise comeback?

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.