It seems the cobbles nearly saw a familiar face make a surprising return but fate had other plans. A former Coronation Street actor has shared that a major storyline was unexpectedly scrapped after a co-star’s sudden exit from the soap changed everything behind the scenes.
A Friendship and an Abrupt Goodbye from Coronation Street
Jayne Tunnicliffe, who played Yana Lumb from 2004 to 2007, became well known to viewers for her fiery friendship with Cilla Battersby Brown. Their bond faced plenty of drama, especially when Yana had an affair with Cilla’s husband, Les Battersby.
Despite the betrayal, their chaotic friendship remained one of the soap’s most talked-about storylines from that era. When Wendi Peters decided to leave Coronation Street, her departure marked a turning point for Tunnicliffe’s character as well.
Speaking on the Conversation Street podcast, Jayne recalled that during a trip to the Soap Awards, Wendi had confided in her that it was time to hang up Cilla’s stilettos. Hearing that, Jayne knew the writing was on the wall for Yana.
She explained that since her character was not connected to any other major family in Weatherfield, her future on the show became uncertain once Cilla left. After Wendi’s exit, Tunnicliffe quietly filmed her final scenes. But even then, discussions about a potential return had already started. Unfortunately, that plan never came to life.
Plans Cut Short After a Co-Star’s Exit
Tunnicliffe revealed that the proposed storyline collapsed after Bruce Jones, who played Les, was dismissed from the soap. She shared that the producers had planned for Yana and Les to reunite on-screen, exploring a relationship arc that could have reignited their spark.
However, everything changed when Bruce was let go following an off-screen incident. There, he revealed confidential storyline details to an undercover journalist. Reflecting on that moment, Jayne admitted that the timing was devastating.
The decision effectively ended Yana’s chances of a return to Coronation Street, closing a chapter that could have given fans another round of Battersby family chaos. Years later, the show officially wrote Les out by confirming his off-screen death. And the actor reportedly received the news by email. Bruce later expressed that he was initially annoyed at the impersonal and overly formal way the soap had informed him. But he appreciated the apology he later received from the production team.
Despite everything, he said he had no hard feelings and remembered his ten years with the show fondly. She shared that she would be open to coming back to Coronation Street as a completely new character. Still, she was unsure if such a reinvention would fit into the show’s modern world. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest Coronation Street news and updates.