Corrie fans are wondering whether Leanne Battersby will return to screens after her Dancing On Ice stint.
Actress Jane Danson took part in the skating contest earlier this year and said at the time her workload on Corrie was a bit quieter which helped with the training schedule.
But the show finished on Sunday March 10 and Jane herself was eliminated in week seven on Sunday February 17, so viewers are wondering when she might be back on the cobbles more permenantly.
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With Leanne only popping up in only a handful of scenes since the end of last year, one concerned fan started a Digital Spy forum questioning whether she would return at all.
They opened the discussion by posing the question: “Will we now see Jane Danson decide to leave Coronation Street over lack of storylines?”
The user then backed up their opener by adding: “I can’t believe that she is now becoming a bit part character and that she hardly gets any storylines these days which is a shame as I always loved her as an actress.”
Someone quickly responded: “I wouldn’t notice if her character was there or not.”
And another added: “I forget she’s there.”
But another user had an idea of how to make Leanne central to storylines once again: “It would be controversial but I would have her take over the Kabin from Rita. I think Leanne has the history and temperament to be someone like Rita to the rest of the street.”
Some viewers felt the prominence of other characters, namely Gemma Winter, was what was causing the absence of Leanne: “Somebody (who?) has decided that the obnoxious Gemma is the star of Corrie, causing many of us to leave. I think Leanne, and others, would do well to leave and not be associated with this now unwatchable show.”
Another agreed: “If I was a long standing cast member like Jane Danson I’d find it soul destroying to be given the odd supporting scene while such utter rubbish takes centre stage.”
“Jane danson is one of the best actresses in corrie,” responded someone else.
A sentiment echoed by another: “I hope that Jane Danson will stay for as long as she wishes to do so. A good actress IMO.”
There was a user who felt people were being a bit hasty to worry: “Are people not jumping the gun a bit? As has already been pointed out, Jane had her schedule reduced whilst doing DOI and as Corrie is filmed weeks in advance, that’s why we are only seeing her for the odd few scenes at the moment.”
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When she was first confirmed to take part in DOI, the actress told Loose Women that her schedule on Corrie had quietened down just in time for her appearance on the ice, but also revealed she definitely wasn’t leaving.
“Well she’s not going to go too far, I’ll still be there just not as much as I usually will be,” Jane revealed.
“I’ll have a quieter patch in the story, and next week there’s a big week for Leanne so the way the story’s going she will have a quieter bit.”
Ent Daily has contacted Coronation Street for comment on Leanne’s return.
Coronation Street continues Friday at 7.30pm on ITV.
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