Who is Chris Harper? Coronation Street’s Nathan Curtis actor who is grooming Bethany Platt in shocking sex ring storyline
The show newcomer left everyone's skin crawling as he lured young Bethany into a child sex ring
CHRIS Harper and Lucy Fallon were widely praised for their uncomfortable and shocking storyline involving a grooming ring on Coronation Street.
The plot came to a head when his character Nathan was found guilty of raping Bethany Platt - here's what you need to know...
Who is Chris Harper?
Chris Harper is a British actor who has worked in TV, Film and Theatre across his career.
He is married to fellow British actress, Emily Bowker.
On TV, he has appeared in a string of short-lived parts and character arcs, including starring in the 2006 TV Movie Housewife, 49, starring in an all-star cast led by the late Victoria Wood.
Other parts have included episodes of Heartbeat, Life on Mars, Holby City and Rosemary and Thyme.
His Coronation Street role has been his most recurring on-screen part to date in his career.
During his time in the role, Chris actively promoted the help the NSPCC provides in situations like the one Bethany's in - running the marathon in their name and even .
As part of the reason why he said on the site that there are "too many Bethany's with Nathans out there".
In Theatre, he has appeared in a string of well-established plays, including Shakespeare's Much About Nothing, Wind in the Willows and The Handmaid's Tale.
He is represented by the Eamonn Bedford Agency.
When did Chris join Coronation Street as Nathan Curtis?
Nathan Curtis first appeared on Coronation Street back in December 2016, finding Bethany (Lucy Fallon) crying and then passed out after overdosing on diet pills.
He originally came across as an encouraging and likeable character.
But that soon faded as viewers discovered he is part of a grooming ring.
What has happened so far in the grooming storyline with Bethany Platt?
After encouraging Bethany to start posting make-up tutorials online, Nathan started a relationship with the vulnerable teen.
Despite their huge age gap, Bethany lost her virginity to him and he was seen talking about "preparing" her for a group of his sick friends.
At a party held at his flat, Bethany is introduced to a room full of strange men, and befriended Mel, who viewers know is aware of Nathan's intentions.
In particular, one of his pals, Neil, took a shine to the schoolgirl and was seen on numerous occasions asking when she'll be "ready".
He later raped her as Nathan sat in the next room completely aware of what's happening and did nothing to stop it - even thanking her for "looking after him".
They have since had discussions that suggest the pair have other girls in nearby areas who have also been groomed.
Bethany's mum Sarah has been left devastated as the creep continues to drive a wedge between her and her daughter, with Bethany even being convinced to move in with him.
It came to a head when Gary Windass punches Nathan in the face after a crude comment was made about how a mother and daughter was "every man's fantasy".
He later proposed to her to cement her attachment to him even further.
Nathan later persuaded the schoolgirl into meeting another of his other “pals”, Bethany ended up downing a load of vodka and passed out on the sofa in his flat.
Sarah, played by Tina O’Brien, was furious when Bethany didn’t show up for their mother-daughter date and found her passed out drunk wearing provocative clothing on Nathan’s sofa.
Sarah took her home but Bethany smashed up her house when she realised she had been locked inside and would miss Nathan’s seedy party where he was planning on offering to another one of his friends.
The troubled teen went on to lash out and stab Gary – and when Sarah calls the police, she unintentionally told Nathan’s rapist pal Neil, who also happens to a policeman.
Neil was called to Bethany’s parent’s house following a violent confrontation which left Bethany sleeping on the streets.
The vile policeman offered to smooth everything over for the family and convinced them not to press charges on each other – while also covering his own abusive tracks.
Nathan then demanded that Bethany reward Neil with sex for solving her problems.
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Lucy Fallon, who plays the troubled teen, has admitted that she would like to see the story end with the sicko in prison.
And The Sun Online exclusively revealed that that would definitely be the case.
“It’s so difficult for victims to come round to the point that they are willing to testify against somebody they thought loved them so we’re going to be watching her go through that journey,” Chris exclusively told The Sun Online.
He added: “The good thing is that Nathan will be in prison for that.
“His tentacles don’t quite stretch that far, but we haven’t seen that yet.”
The storyline came to a head as Nathan faced trial and fans were overjoyed to see him found guilty of rape and conspiracy to commit rape.