Coronation Street ‘confirms’ torrid affair as legend cheats on fiancé – with her sister
Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) has been well and truly taken in by Rowan Cunliffe (Emrhys Cooper) and The Institute in Coronation Street, to the point that it has almost completely destroyed her relationships with fiancé Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) and sister Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor).
In recent scenes, Toyah was arrested for murder after the body of her stillborn baby was found in the park, following a number of altercations with cult leader Rowan.
Next week, Toyah receives a bouquet of yellow roses, and, after explaining their significance to Nick, insists that Rowan must have sent them.
Furious, Toyah shows Leanne the flowers and card, and sheepish Leanne admits she told Rowan about Toyah’s baby.
‘[Toyah] feels massively betrayed, because at first Leanne denies that she told Rowan, then even when it does come out and she knows she’s lied, Leanne is still on the backfoot and trying to deny it,’ actress Georgia Taylor revealed.
‘Leanne won’t accept that Rowan would do anything like that because she just thinks he’s this perfect human. It feels like the ultimate betrayal because when Toyah’s at her most vulnerable, when she’s grieving the loss of a child, she still feels like her sister’s not there for her.’
When Nick returns home, he demands that Leanne cut all ties with Rowan and The Institute, or else he’ll finish things between them. This leaves Leanne furious, and when she returns the next day she asserts that she would never cheat on him – unaware of what has happened in her absence.
Toyah and Nick are quick to agree that their kiss was a mistake…
With Leanne pushing them both away, it is no wonder that Toyah and Nick find comfort in each other, as Georgia pointed out.
‘It’s interesting because every time something happens, where Toyah might feel guilty for leaning on Nick, Leanne does something again to push her away or she behaves in a way that is unacceptable.
‘It’s difficult when you’re angry at someone, but you also feel guilty for something you’ve done to them. It’s very conflicting for Toyah.’
Despite her family’s feelings toward Rowan, when he arrives at the Bistro on his motorbike with an extra helmet for Leanne, she leaves Nick and Toyah in the lurch with the lunchtime rush to join Rowan on a trip.
Incredulous after the busy shift, Toyah heads off for her Institute court case, having been sued for defamation after writing negative posts about the cult.
However, on the way she receives a horrifying phone call, informing her that Leanne has been involved in a motorbike accident…
