‘Axe her!’ demand Coronation Street fans as they blast ‘jarring’ character in ‘unbelievable’ cult storyline

CORONATION Street fans have slammed Leanne Battersby’s behaviour and called for the character to be axed.

An ongoing storyline has seen Leanne (Jane Danson) manipulated by charming group mentor Rowan Cunliffe (Emhrys Cooper) – unaware he is actually a dangerous cult leader.

Rex

ITV

Toyah has tried to warn Leanne about the dangers of The Institute[/caption]

Viewers have seen Leanne drawn further into Rowan’s group The Institute, although she remains unaware of his true intentions.

Despite stepsister Toyah (Georgia Taylor) and partner Nick (Ben Price) warning Leanne of the dangers, she has remained oblivious – even defending Rowan to her loved ones.

However, fans have decided they have had enough and vented their frustrations towards Leanne.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), one irritated viewer wrote: “Leanne is so jarring please axe her #Corrie.”

Another shared: “Leanne being sucked in by a cult didn’t think she was that daft but she obviously is #Corrie.”

ITV

Rowan actor Emhrys Cooper described joining the soap as a “dream come true”[/caption]

While a third vented: “Simply cannot believe this Leanne storyline. Would she really be this gullible? It beggars belief #Corrie.”

The storyline comes as Leanne’s adoptive son Simon Barlow is soon to make his exit from the cobbles.

Alex Bain, who has played the role of Simon since 2008, is departing from the soap.

Simon’s impending exit follows that of his father – and Leanne’s ex-husband – Peter Barlow – (Chris Gascoyne), who left on Boxing Day in 2023.

ITV

The storyline comes as Leanne’s adopted son Simon will soon leave the soap[/caption]

Meanwhile Emhrys Cooper, the actor playing Rowan, described joining Coronation Street as a “dream come true.”

The Devon-born star previously moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and went on to appear in projects including Desperate Housewives and Mamma Mia!

Emhrys previously shared in an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday: “LA can be a funny place where, if you’re not on a billboard or haven’t won an Oscar, you can feel like you’re nowhere.

“But being on Corrie has made me realise, ‘Wow, I have actually done a lot’. I am so glad I am back in the UK. Corrie is honestly one of the friendliest sets I’ve been to.

“It has always been on my bucket list to land a role on the soap. Now I have, it’s a dream come true.”

Coronation Street airs on ITV and episodes are available stream on ITVX for 30 days.