Coronation Street is buzzing with anticipation as Rob Mallard teases a new love interest for Daniel Osbourne, Weatherfield’s perennial heartbreaker. Airing at 8pm on ITV1, the soap promises fresh romantic chaos for Ken Barlow’s son, who’s licking his wounds after losing Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) and Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) in 2025. With Daniel’s track record for messy relationships, fans are speculating wildly about who might capture his heart next. From returning faces to surprising new pairings, here’s a rundown of the top theories swirling on X and Reddit.

In an exclusive chat with Digital Spy at the 2025 British Soap Awards, Mallard hinted at Daniel’s future, saying, “He’ll be falling head over heels again.” But true to his Barlow roots, he added, “Everything’s got to be a mess all the time.” With Daisy exiting in May and Bethany off to London in February, Daniel’s single status won’t last long. Fans are divided, with some rooting for a fresh face and others predicting familiar flames. One X post fumed, “Daniel and Dee-Dee sharing scenes soon? I’m not ready!” sparking heated debate.

First up is Eva Price, rumored to return later this year. Fans see her as a perfect match for Daniel’s taste in “blonde, hyperfeminine” women, per Reddit. “Eva’s his type,” one user wrote, noting her bubbly charm could spark with Daniel’s brooding intellect. Yet, her ties to Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) might complicate things. Lou Michaelis, newly single after husband Mick’s imprisonment for Craig Tinker’s murder, is another contender. Some fans think Daniel’s savior complex could draw him to her, but with Lou’s exit looming, this seems unlikely.

Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) emerges as a strong candidate, with fans praising her as a “street intellectual” to match Daniel’s bookish nature. After her harrowing ordeal with Joel Deering (Calum Lill), Dee-Dee’s single and raising daughter Laila. “They could raise their kids together,” one viewer speculated, envisioning a stable, brainy pairing. But Dee-Dee’s guarded heart post-Joel raises doubts about her readiness for romance. Danielle Silverton, reeling from her husband’s affair with Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce), is a wildcard. Her recent fling with Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) in the Rovers hints at a restless spirit, but fans question if she’s a long-term fixture.

Inevitably, many predict Daniel will circle back to Bethany Platt when she returns. “As soon as Bethany’s back, it’s another love triangle,” a pessimistic Reddit user groaned, reflecting Daniel’s pattern of revisiting past loves. Their on-off chemistry, marked by Bethany’s sepsis ordeal and Daniel’s lingering feelings, keeps fans hooked yet frustrated. X posts like “Daniel deserves better than Bethany drama” show mixed sentiment.

As Coronation Street builds toward Daniel’s next chapter, the cobbles brace for emotional turbulence. Will Eva’s return ignite sparks, or could Dee-Dee offer a mature connection? Is Danielle a fleeting fling, or will Bethany’s pull prove irresistible? Mallard’s tease of “chaotic relationships” ensures drama, but who’ll win Daniel’s heart remains a mystery. Tune in to see if love or heartbreak awaits Weatherfield’s hopeless romantic.