For nearly three decades, Leanne Battersby has been a constant presence in Coronation Street, with Jane Danson bringing her to life through countless emotional storylines. Now, the actress has reached a moment that promises to be just as memorable off the cobbles as many of Leanne’s dramatic twists.
Leanne’s Long Journey on Coronation Street
Jane Danson first stepped into Weatherfield on July 4, 1997, when she debuted as Leanne Battersby. Over the years, viewers have watched her tackle some of the soap’s most unforgettable plots. From turbulent affairs and prostitution to discovering the truth about her biological mother and facing the devastating loss of her young son, Oliver Battersby, Leanne has rarely been far from the heart of the action.
At 46, Jane has now spent 28 years playing the role, cementing her status as one of the ITV soap’s most recognisable faces. Her performances have made Leanne a character that fans love, root for, and sometimes despair over, but always find compelling. Recently, Jane joined fellow cast members Patti Clare, Sam Aston, Jimmi Harkishin, and Barbara Knox at the Dominion Theatre in London for the launch of An Audience with Coronation Street.
A West End First for Jane
Backstage before the performance, Jane admitted that this moment marked a career “first” for her. She revealed that stepping onto the Dominion stage was her first-ever professional appearance on a West End stage. She described the experience as an “absolute first” and said she could not wait to celebrate Coronation Street in such a unique way. The event itself is hosted by This Morning’s soap expert Sharon Marshall.
Each date of the tour brings five cast members together, giving fans an evening of laughter, exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, and never-before-heard memories from the cobbles. For Jane, being part of such a project made the milestone even more meaningful. Barbara Knox, who has portrayed Rita Sullivan for over fifty years, also shared her perspective. She admitted she does not often take part in events like this, but felt this tour was the right opportunity to connect with fans.
A Celebration Beyond the Cobbles
The strong demand for tickets has already led to extra shows being added. The Salford date sold out so quickly that organisers introduced a matinee performance at The Lowry on September 20. It will be along with an additional show at Sunderland Empire on September 21.
Different combinations of cast members will feature across the tour, including Andy Whyment, Jack P. Shepherd, Samia Longchambon, Simon Gregson, and Sue Devaney. One change, however, saw Vicky Myers, who plays DS Lisa Swain, withdraw from the Glasgow show due to scheduling conflicts.
As An Audience with Coronation Street continues across the country, audiences can expect more laughter from the stars of Weatherfield. And with Jane’s career “first” now complete, it’s clear that there are still new experiences to discover. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest news, spoilers, and updates from Coronation Street and beyond.