Coronation Street’s Jane Danson has hit back at rumours saying she has been “axed” from the soap. The actress has portrayed iconic character Leanne Battersby for the last 28 years. Leanne is currently embroiled in the centre of one of the soap’s major storylines following the return of her on-screen sister Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley).
Jane often updates her fans with what she gets up to away from the cameras. She recently starred in An Audience with Coronation Street at London’s Dominion Theatre alongside fellow cast members Patti Clare, Sam Aston, Jimmi Harkishin and Barbara Knox. She posted some stunning snaps from the evening with her co-stars last month.
More recently, the 46-year-old actress shared a statement addressing rumours circulating online that she had been “axed” from Coronation Street. She described the rumours as “pathetic” and said she has “had enough”.
In a post on Instagram, Jane said: “Apparently I’ve been axed from the show and have written a letter to say how upset I am. First of all, if I have been ‘axed’ surely I would have been told?
“Had almost 30 years of people feeling the need to say what they want or making up stories and I’ve never bitten back but I’ve had enough of reading absolute c***. Just stop it, it’s pathetic.
“And please stop believing the 99% nonsense these sites keep spinning. It can be so damaging and it’s really unkind. Think before you type.”
Jane’s Coronation Street co-stars rushed to send their support after she posted the message online.
Andy Whyment, who portrays Kirk Sutherland, said: “Well said Jane”. Georgia Taylor, who plays Jane’s on-screen sister Toyah wrote: “Amen to this, sis xxx.”
Jack P Shepherd (David Platt) said: “I was dead online the other day Jane” with a laughing face emoji. Coronation Street’s official account also commented: “We keep trying to get all the fake posts taken down.”
It appears Leanne Battersby is here to stay following the return of her sister Eva. Earlier this year, it was confirmed Catherine Tyldesley would be reprising her role as Eva after seven years away from the soap.
Catherine’s final scenes aired in August 2018 but the 41-year-old is now back on set filming in Weatherfield. Actors Aaron McCusker and Pauline McLynn arrived alongside Catherine as Eva’s partner Ben Driscoll and his interfering mother Maggie.
Monday’s episode saw Leanne reunite with Eva on the cobbles. The jam-packed hour-long broadcast had everything from shock proposals, a lock-in at the Rovers, and the iconic entrance of Maggie Driscoll at the end of the episode.
Leanne also shared heartfelt scenes with her two sisters as they hoped to clear the air after so many years. With Toyah now in a relationship with Nick Tilsley, the three sisters bonded over their past love lives as well as their connection with Eva’s daughter Susie.