SPOILER ALERT: No wonder she's smiling! Coronation Street's Bethany Platt FINALLY throws a PUNCH at abusive boyfriend Nathan Curtis on set

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Coronation Street viewers have been left shocked by Bethany Platt's ordeal in the soap's disturbing grooming plot.

But the teenager could be set to break free from her abusive older boyfriend - as she was seen punching Nathan Curtis on set on Tuesday.

Actress Lucy Fallon, who plays the 16-year-old, was seen flashing a broad smile on set while filming new scenes for the ITV soap. 

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Getting revenge? Coronation Street's Bethany Platt could be set to break free from her abusive older boyfriend - as she was seen punching Nathan Curtis on set on Tuesday 

Dressed in a red puffer coat, she was seen throwing a punch at Christopher Harper - who plays Nathan - while on set.

The pair may have been practising for an upcoming scene or messing around on set, but they looked to be in character as they acted out the dramatic moment.

Lucy's character Bethany has been victim to persistent abuse in the soap's harrowing storyline, with older boyfriend Nathan allowing his friends to sexually abuse the teen.

All smiles: Actress Lucy Fallon, who plays the 16-year-old, was seen flashing a broad smile on set while filming new scenes for the ITV soap 

Her pleas for help have been ignored by police, with her discovering that one of the men who raped her - Neil - was an officer. 

Neil was also seen on set on Tuesday in his police uniform.

Meanwhile, Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) was seen having an argument with her daughter Faye (Ellie Leach) as they drove around in her van, in scenes due to air this week.

What's up, pussy cat? She was later seen playing with a black and white cat during a break from filming 

Officer: The actor who plays Neil, one of Nathan's friends who raped Bethany in the soap, was also seen on set in his police uniform

Faye was seen jumping out of the van and running off, as Anna screamed at her to get back into the vehicle.  

Filming on Wednesday came after it was revealed that Bethany will be forced to drown her sorrows in alcohol in upcoming scenes. 

In scenes set to air this week, Bethany is forced to dress in a sexy outfit in yet another abusive act by Nathan, who wants to entice some of his sick pals so they can abuse the teen.

Tension: Meanwhile, Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) is seen having an argument with her daughter Faye (Ellie Leach) as they drove around in her van 

Disagreement: It is not clear what sparks the argument between the mother and daughter 

Silent treatment? The pair appears to be giving each other the silent treatment in the scene

Storming off: Faye was seen getting out of the van and running off, as Anna screams at her to get back into the vehicle 

Confrontation: Anna is seen confronting her daughter in a scene due to air this week 

As he throws one of his 'parties', she is seen prepping by sporting a super sexy outfit, using Dutch courage to help face the bash. After overindulging she collapses into a stupor.

After waking up to find her mum Sarah and her mum's boyfriend Gary Windass she flies into a huge rage as she hurls items at the duo when Gary locked her in the house to prevent her visiting Nathan.

Nathan's plan was to leave the house to collect his friend Ian so he could abuse Bethany after plying the teen with alcohol and forcing her into a racy outfit.

Passed out: Bethany will suffer yet another devastating twist in her embattled story as she is forced to drown her sorrows in alcohol

Tough times: The 16-year-old  is currently being groomed by her older boyfriend Nathan, who has been allowing his friends to sexually abuse the teen

Drink up: Nathan's plan was to leave the house to collect his friend Ian so he could abuse Bethany after plying the teen with alcohol and forcing her into a racy outfit

Sarah is stunned to find her young daughter dressed up in scanty clothing having overindulged in alcohol - yet she is unaware of the horrifying truth. 

There is set to be shock once again when it emerges that vulnerable Bethany's latest abuser is a policeman, in scenes which are yet to air.

Viewers have been gripped by the shocking storyline after Nathan manipulated her into sleeping with two other older men.

But when brave Bethany, plucked up the courage to report her abuse, she is stunned to discover that one of the men who groomed her is in fact an officer.

Furious: After waking up to find her mum Sarah and her mum's boyfriend Gary Windass she flies into a huge rage as she hurled items at the duo when Gary locked her in the house to prevent her visiting Nathan

Struggles: Sarah is stunned to find her young daughter dressed up in scanty clothing having overindulged in alcohol - yet she is unaware of the horrifying truth

You're staying in! Gary locked her in the house to prevent her visiting Nathan

In a chilling twist, the sadistic policeman will threaten Bethany's family, warning her: 'You're not even safe in a police station'.

A programme insider told The Sun on Sunday: 'She is convinced her ordeal will end when she goes to the police station — and is utterly horrified to find out she was wrong.

'She is terrified of Neil and terrified that her family could be at risk and her fear forces her into an even darker place. Things are going to get worse for Bethany long before they begin to get better.'

Vulnerable: But when brave Bethany, plucked up the courage to report her abuse, she is stunned to discover that one of the men who groomed her is in fact an officer

'Creeps': She has already been abused by her older boyfriend in the harrowing storyline, as well as being raped by his friend Neil. But after being groomed by a third man Ian, she tries to report the crime - and make a chilling discovery

Previously, Coronation Street viewers were left 'sickened' as Bethany was introduced to a third man in the show's sinister grooming plot.

The teen has already been abused by her older boyfriend Nathan Curtis in the harrowing storyline, as well as being raped by his friend Neil.

On Friday night's episode, the teenager was introduced to Neil's friend Ian - with the suggestion that she may be made to have sex with him as well.

Sinister: Viewers were 'sickened' when Bethany was introduced to a third man in the show's disturbing grooming plot

Third man: On Friday night's episode, the teenager was introduced to Neil's friend Ian - with the suggestion that she may be made to have sex with him as well 

In the disturbing scene, Ian says he is 'very upset' that he didn't get an invite to the last party.

In response, Nathan asked Bethany - played by Lucy Fallon - whether Ian was 'good looking enough for one of our get-togethers?'

When she answers 'I don't see why not', Nathan tells Ian: 'Sounds like you're in luck.' 

Abuser: Her boyfriend Nathan asked Bethany - played by Lucy Fallon - whether Ian was 'good looking enough for one of our get-togethers?'

Victim: When Bethany, who is only 16, answers 'I don't see why not', Nathan tells Ian: 'Sounds like you're in luck' 

Viewers immediately took to Twitter in response to the latest development in the shocking storyline.

One wrote 'Feel sick to my stomach watching those 3 being smug at Bethany's expense', while another added: 'Can't deal with how utterly vile those men are'.

Another posted: 'Those blokes are making my skin crawl. Poor Bethany'.

Meanwhile, one viewer said 'These creeps make me sick! Bethany needs to get out quick!' 

'Utterly vile': Fans wrote that the scene on Friday night's episode made them feel sick

Later on in the episode, viewers were also left shocked when Nathan was seen kissing his ex-girlfriend Mel Maguire.

Last week, Bethany was coaxed into having sex with Nathan's friend Neil, who is much older than her.  

Despite already being abused by Nathan, Bethany was this time forced into accompanying Neil into a bedroom at a party and instructing her to 'buy some more time' with him.

Telling her to 'work her magic' on Neil, Bethany initially tried to chat to him on the sofa, before he took her into the bedroom and sat with her on the edge of the bed.

A panicked Bethany sat frozen while Neil began to kiss her.

'I am so scared for her!' Viewers were distraught as Bethany was raped AGAIN last week... and it seemed it might happen again

Tense: Bethany initially tried to chat to Neil on the sofa, before he took her into the bedroom and sat with her on the edge of the bed

Harrowing: Friday night's episode didn't let up, as Nathan coaxed Bethany - who is 16 - to have sex with his friend, Neil, who is much older than her.

Meanwhile, Bethany's mother Sarah called her daughter's phone to see where she was - but Nathan had it and rejected the call.

In the bedroom, Bethany warned Neil that she and Nathan were an item and that she's 'not that kind of girl'; but to no avail.

Turning her around and easing her to lie facing away from him, Neil then began a countdown, as Bethany lay with tears welling up in her eyes.

Viewers took to Twitter to weigh in on what they were watching.

Horrid: A panicked Bethany froze while Neil began to kiss her

Upsetting: Turning her around and easing her to lie facing away from him, Neil then began a countdown, as Bethany lay with tears welling up in her eyes.

'This storyline has been written, paced and acted superbly but - partly because of those things - it's almost unbearably grim,' one insightful tweeter posted.

'So uncomfortable to watch but also a hard hitting real life occurrence. My heart breaks for Bethany,' came another fan's tweet.

'The Bethany Platt storyline has really shaken me!' a third posted, echoed by another who wrote: 'This Bethany Platt story line is creeping me out.'

'The Bethany Platt grooming story makes me feel physically sick that this actually happens in the world to people,' another person added.

Aiming to do good: The actor said the storyline has received a positive reaction from many survivors of sexual abuse

To make matters worse, it transpires that things are about to get even more sinister next week, this time involving a third man. 

The nation has been gripped by the horrific storyline - which actor Chris Harper, who plays Nathan, said 'is only just the beginning for Bethany'.

Having lost her virginity to Nathan - Chris revealed the storyline has received a positive reaction from many survivors of sexual abuse, as it's important that young girls are made aware of the dangers that anyone in this position could face. 

He said: 'Nathan has done it before to other people [groomed them] and is doing with other people still. Bethany is falling in love with him. 

Talking to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, he revealed Bethany will accept Nathan's proposal, as he hinted she will suffer another harrowing rape, after already been forced into sex by his friend Neil

He said: 'Nathan has done it before to other people [groomed them] and is doing with other people still. Bethany is falling in love with him'

He continued: 'She is going to be entering a dark space and Nathan introducing Neil is just the beginning. Counsellors call it love bombing and it can happen to anyone'

'She is going to be entering a dark space and Nathan introducing Neil is just the beginning. Counsellors call it love bombing and it can happen to anyone. 

'The perpetrator pretends to be your hero but Bethany to Nathan is a commodity. 

'Nathan will be proposing to her and Bethany starts wearing a ring. He wins her trust and makes her fall in love with him then flips it and plays on her age.'

Phillip asked him if he thought Nathan's time on the street would be short-lived and he replied: 'I hope so.'

Chris also spoke of the reaction he had received from survivors of sexual abuse.

He said: 'Brilliant - just amazing. The community that's out there of victims and survivors, however they describe themselves, is brilliant... 

Chris also spoke of the reaction he had received from survivors of sexual abuse. He said: 'Brilliant - just amazing. The community that's out there of victims and survivors, however they describe themselves, is brilliant...'

'They're used to just being splashed across tabloid headlines or ignored or labelled.

'It's a fantastic role. I actually burst into tears when I found out I got the role. My wife, who's brilliantly supportive, is the one who suggested I run the London Marathon for the NSPCC. It's a great part, but I also got to be a part of a greater message.'

Lucy, who plays Bethany, has previously spoken of the importance in raising awareness around the disturbing issue of child abuse following criticism of the show's decision to air its current grooming plot pre-watershed.

Appearing on Loose Women recently, the 21-year old applauded the long running soap's decision to tackle the subject head on in a bid to educate their younger fan base.

She said: 'It's important it is before the watershed.

We're trying to target people who watch Corrie. There are a lot of fans who are young teenagers, it's important that they watch it.' 

For confidential support call Rape Crisis on Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12-2:30 and 7-9:30) or visit rapecrisis.org.uk

Raising awareness: Lucy Fallon, who plays Bethany, has spoken of the importance in raising awareness around the disturbing issue of child abuse following criticism of the show's decision to air its current grooming plot pre-watershed