Coronation Street viewers are speculating a surprise new romance for Betsy Swain with an older gentleman.

Betsy, portrayed by Sydney Martin, arrived on the cobbles last year as the daughter of DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers).

It was disclosed that Betsy was brought up by two mothers, Lisa and Becky (Amy Cudden), but tragically, Becky was reportedly killed off-screen in a car accident while on duty late last year.

Since her arrival on the soap, Betsy has found herself at the centre of several major plotlines. Earlier this year, she was left devastated when her boyfriend Mason Radcliffe (Luca Toolan) was written out of the show following a stabbing incident.

Her grief was compounded when she was shot in March by murderer Rob Donovan (Marc Bayliss), who at the time was holding Lisa and her partner Carla Connor (Alison King) captive, reports the Daily Star.

Last week marked Betsy’s 18th birthday, but the day was far from smooth sailing as she narrowly avoided being hit by a car in a hit-and-run incident, leaving her utterly rattled.

Adding to the drama, unbeknownst to Betsy, her mother had turned up at Carla and Lisa’s home, revealing she wasn’t actually dead. Becky explained to a stunned Lisa that she had entered witness protection after an undercover operation went awry.

Lisa was overwhelmed by the revelation, but furious that Becky had put her and Betsy through such an ordeal. When Becky requested to see Betsy, Lisa flatly refused.

During Monday’s instalment (September 15), Betsy remained oblivious to her mother Becky’s presence, as she once again appeared attempting to convince Lisa to allow her access to her daughter.

Yet, amongst all the current turmoil unfolding on the cobbles, viewers cannot resist forecasting an unexpected romantic development between Betsy and Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott).

Audiences will remember that Ryan relocated to live with his aunt Carla and Lisa, alongside Betsy, last month. He and Betsy have developed an endearing family bond thus far, with Betsy opening up to Ryan regarding her turbulent birthday celebrations the previous week.

However, according to supporters, they believe the duo will ultimately become romantically involved in what would constitute a surprising plot development. On a Coronation Street Facebook enthusiast page, one individual commented: “Betsy and Ryan getting very close.”

Another contributed: “You know it crossed my mind watching it. I really hope they don’t make them become a thing but I could see where she could crush on him cos he’s so lovely.” A third joined in: “Yeah I thought that, it was more like they were gonna get together.” Someone else wrote: “I knew that was coming.” A fifth then stated: “Hope not!”.