Leanne Battersby (also Tilsley and Barlow) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Jane Danson. It was announced in February 1997 that a "family from hell" would be introduced to Coronation Street. This included Les (Bruce Jones) and Janice Battersby (Vicky Entwistle), Les' daughter Leanne and Janice's daughter Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor). Leanne made her first appearance on 4 July 1997. Danson left the series on 23 August 2000 and returned on 7 June 2004. Danson later took maternity leave in 2006 and returned in early 2007. Danson took another maternity break in 2009 and returned in the same year. On 27 September 2017, Danson took an extended break from the show and returned three months later on 15 December 2017.
Leanne's storylines include numerous affairs, prostitution, drug abuse, insurance fraud, discovering her biological mother is pub landlady Stella Price (Michelle Collins), a miscarriage, an abortion, and a custody battle for Peter Barlow's (Chris Gascoyne) son, Simon (Alex Bain). Leanne has had numerous relationships within the show. She married Nick Tilsley (Adam Rickitt/Ben Price) in 1998, but they temporally divorced for a while. She married Peter Barlow in the show's live 50th anniversary episode, but divorced him in 2012 in reaction to his affair with Carla Connor (Alison King) being exposed. After a volatile reconciliation, she and Nick married for the second time in January 2013, but they divorced the following year. After a one-night stand, Leanne becomes pregnant with Steve McDonald's (Simon Gregson) baby and gives birth to a son, Oliver Battersby, who dies in 2020 from mitochondrial disease. Leanne reunites with Nick again in 2016 and 2018.
Creation
Casting
In February 1997, Rolf Myller from The People reported that a "family from hell" would be introduced to Coronation Street. Customers at the Rovers Return were said to be "horrified when a gruff newcomer with a jailbird wife and two tearaway teenage sons" (later changed to two daughters) arrive in Weatherfield. A Coronation Street insider said that the new family were the "real neighbours from hell", explaining that it was "a taste of things to come" from new executive producer, Brian Park, who thought the family would increase ratings. The previous "new guns" in the show were the McDonald's, however, this was over a few years ago. The insider hinted that the new family would have a "big impact". The writers introduced Leanne's mother by releasing her from jail, which the insider thought would shock viewers. They added that fans would be pleasantly surprised by some of the new twists in plots.
Actress Jane Danson was cast in the role of Leanne. After the introduction of the family, Danson said that the family came in with a bang and said that they are very different to anyone else on the show. She did not believe she had got the part until she filmed a scene in the Rovers Return Inn. Danson said she has always been a big fan of Coronation Street. Her favourite characters are the Duckworths and the Malletts. Everyone has been really welcoming and keep asking how she is doing. After joining Coronation Street, Danson started to become drained, tired and put on weight after playing Leanne for just six months. Danson took a short break from the show after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Danson stated in March 2008 that she would stay with Coronation Street for as long as producers wanted the character. She explained that she has managed to create a perfect timing for filming and spending time at home with her family. She told the Sunday Mirror that being an actor with children is the perfect job. Danson said she could never imagine getting bored with Leanne and said if it was up to her, she could quite easily imagine still being there in 20 or 30 years time. Talking about her character, Danson added: "She's a loose cannon and she's destined to end up in a really bad way. I wonder how long she can keep picking herself up and dusting herself down - she's probably had six of her nine lives by now!"
Characterisation Leanne has been described as loud, cheeky and holds an "in your face" attitude. She is very cocky, does not care and does what she wants. She's just a lout coming in at three o'clock in the morning all the time. She disrupts the Street with her loud music and she's always smoking and getting on everybody's nerves." She continued: "She's like a second-hand Spice Girl, who can't afford to go the whole way. But she wouldn't think twice about nicking clothes if she had the chance." Danson also added that she has "always been a good girl" and would not dare shoplift like Leanne.
Danson told the Daily Mirror that she would never put her own family life at risk like Leanne has done. After Leanne has an affair with Nick Tilsey, and keeps it a secret from her fiancé Peter. Danson said that Leanne is feeling a bit trapped with Peter and believes things have got a bit predictable and boring. She said that she is different and a very family-orientated person and although she enjoys work, she likes being with her family. Danson added that she likes the idea of being a party girl like Leanne but the reality is quite different and that Leanne seems to like drama and danger in her life. She added that she loves the fact that her character and herself are opposites, because Leanne gives her a chance to do things that she wouldn't do in reality.
Development
Relationships
Nick Tilsley Danson said that she was "intrigued" by the decision to re-introduce Nick Tilsley played by a different actor, Ben Price. Leanne was married to Nick from 1998 until 1999. Leanne and Nick split in 1999 and Nick started dating Maria Connor (Samia Smith). Speaking about Nick's re-introduction, Danson said it's interesting when an old character is re-introduced because even though it's a different actor, the previous baggage remains. Danson said that Nick has been involved with both Leanne and Maria and said obviously his family are there too so there is potential scope for that character. Danson said she doesn't know whether they will make anything of Leanne and him or not because she seems quite settled where she is. Danson revealed that there's always a possibility of revisiting it but Leanne would just wind up Nick.
In an interview with Soaplife, the new actor of Nick, Ben Price said that even though Nick has told Leanne that he still loves her, Leanne wants to be with Peter. Price added that there is always a chance with Leanne and Nick to get back together. Price added that he is expecting a storyline to develop between Nick and Leanne and that "You'll see him bump into Leanne soon. I'm sure stuff will come out of that - there's a story there." Asked whether if he wants to see Leanne and Nick to get back together, Price said: "There'd have to be a big journey to get to that point, but yeah, I would. But who knows? I don't know how it's going to go! But I think that would be great. But I think it could also be great if there's someone else on the Street who could come into his life. It's nice to keep spicing things up, really."
Dan Mason Leanne began a relationship with Dan Mason (Matthew Crompton) in 2008. It was later confirmed that Dan would be leaving the show after he tries to burn down Leanne's restaurant in an insurance scam.
Peter Barlow Peter returns to Weatherfield with his son, Simon Barlow (Alex Bain), and Leanne helps Peter as he struggles with fatherhood. Gascoyne told Digital Spy that Peter has not thought about how his relationship with Leanne is progressing. Gascoyne explained that Peter is taking it "step by step", saying "Peter knows that Leanne gets on really well with Simon and I think Peter's nicely surprised by that. Leanne kind of has the upper hand on him and in a strange way, Leanne's a moral voice."
Leanne tells Peter's family that she is going to reconcile with him rather than accept a job offer from her friends in Leeds. However, a woman named Christina (Sarah-Jayne Steed) arrives and claims that she met Peter on her father's yacht recently and decided to visit him. Leanne discovers that Peter left rehab early and she decides to leave. This story arc was implemented to facilitate Danson's temporary departure from the show to take maternity leave. Digital Spy reported that Leanne becomes "fed up" with Peter taking her for granted and finds employment in a restaurant in Leeds.t Peter attempts to prevent Leanne from leaving by getting Simon to beg her to stay. Despite this, Leanne leaves for Leeds. Leanne's departure was broadcast on 9 March 2009.
In September 2009, it was revealed that Danson had recently returned to work with the show. Danson admitted that was "terrified" about returning, saying "I felt like I’d been in Babyworld for ages and I was panicking about whether I could learn my lines. There didn’t seem to be enough hours in the day with two kids, but you somehow find the time." Leanne made her full-time return on 11 September 2009 when Peter finds her in Leeds. Danson said that Leanne is getting on with her life and tells Peter that she has moved on from their relationship. However, Leanne "has a change of heart and comes back [to Weatherfield]". She tells Janice that she has split up with her boyfriend and Peter invites her for dinner. Peter admits to a "few meaningless flings" and Leanne spends the night with him. However, Leanne becomes suspicious about remark that Simon makes about Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh). Leanne tricks Michelle, who reveals her one-night stand with Peter. Leanne then refuses to reconcile with him. When Peter apologises to Leanne, she throws eggs at him and refuses to forgive him. Leanne and Peter later reconcile. Leanne and Peter's relationship hits rock bottom. Leanne proposes to Peter. In an interview with What's on TV, Danson said that Peter and Leanne make a good couple and expressed her desire for the couple to marry at some point. After Peter accepts Leanne's proposal, asked if Leanne wants to be a real mum to Simon, Danson said: "She'd like to. Her mum left when she was little and Janice came to her rescue. Leanne wants to be as good at being a mum and she is. All she's ever wanted is the family set-up she has with Peter and Simon."