Corrie's Freda worries Gemma as she takes action over Aled

Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street's Freda Burgess will scare Gemma Winter next week after she decides to take drastic action over Gemma's son Aled's planned cochlear operation and goes missing with the toddler.

Little Aled was diagnosed with profound permanent hearing loss in both ears last year, with his parents Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) and Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) later being told that Aled is an ideal candidate for a cochlear implant.

While Gemma has been uncertain about whether to let Aled have the operation, she and Chesney have now decided to go ahead with the procedure – something which Freda (Ali Briggs) hasn't been too pleased about.

freda burgess and gemma winter in coronation street

ITV

Next week, Freda will learn that Gemma has gone to the hospital to meet some other mums whose children have been given cochlear implants, and she struggles to hide her annoyance.

Freda believes that Gemma and Chesney are changing Aled's identity by going ahead with the operation, but Gemma assures Freda that the family will continue to maintain links with the deaf community after Aled has had his operation.

Freda is further hurt when Aled's grandmother Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) asserts that Aled will be "normal" after having his cochlear implant. Noticing that Gemma is feeling stressed, Freda offers to take little Aled for a walk.

ITV

However, Freda faces more upset when she encounters Bernie and Chesney talking about the "hassle" of attending deaf groups and how they want Aled to "talk properly and fit in".

Freda and Aled continue on their walk, but Gemma panics when they don't return as expected and confides in Roy Cropper (David Neilson) that she fears Freda has taken Aled. Gemma asserts that they need to find Aled and get him to hospital before he misses his operation.

An emotional Freda, meanwhile, is in the community centre with Aled, showing him a website dedicated to successful deaf people.

When Freda spots Gemma, who has tracked her down, standing at the community centre window, Freda signs that she is busy and doesn't come out.

freda burgess, gemma winter and bernie winter in coronation street

ITV

Gemma enlists the help of the interpreter who has arrived to discuss funeral plans for Freda's partner Norris Cole, who passes away this week, in order to communicate with Freda through the window. Gemma does her best to get through to Freda, but she refuses to hand Aled over.

Chesney soon arrives to help, but will they be able to convince Freda to bring Aled out before they miss his operation?

Coronation Street airs these scenes on Wednesday, September 22 at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.