The Platts realise the true depth of Sam Blakeman’s suffering on Coronation Street next week, when he isolates himself and flees from Audrey Roberts’ birthday celebrations.

When the Platts gather for a special meal to celebrate Audrey’s birthday in the Bistro, everyone’s in good spirits – everyone except Sam that is, who slips away on his own when he starts to feel panicky…

“Sam’s dealing with some horrendous trauma,” our Corrie insider says. “With his mum dying and Leanne and Nick’s split, he’s been through so much already in his young life.

“But what he suffered during Mick’s recent rampage at the school has brought all his trauma to a head.

“He’s unable to cope with the noisy birthday party and is forced to hide underneath the desk in the Bistro office.”

But will sweet Sam suffer in silence, or will one of his family find him and encourage him to open up?

Later, Sam’s uncle David Platt feels guilty about his daughter Lily’s treatment of her cousin, so he and Shona lay down the law, telling her that she owes Sam a big apology for locking him out on his own during Mick’s tirade.

With the family gathered to hear what she has to say, Lily shocks everyone by admitting that she locked Sam out of the classroom on purpose.

“No one can believe that Lily could be so cruel to her cousin,” our source adds.

“Sam’s fuming, as he’d assumed that her actions were in self-defence and purely innocent, despite being traumatising for him. It leaves the family questioning Lily’s motives – did she want Sam to get hurt, or even worse, killed?”

When a row breaks out, the Platts are left even more fractured than before – but will Sam find it in his heart to forgive Lily? And can he take control of his trauma before it takes over his life?