Third time lucky for Leanne?

It’s the last chance at happiness for twice-married Leanne and Nick, says Corrie star Jane Danson

They’ve been married twice before, but this week Coronat ion Street’s Leanne Battersby and Nick Tilsley decide to give their relationship one final chance. Last year the couple had been planning to bring up Leanne’s son Oliver together, but Nick discovered the baby’s father was his rival Steve McDonald.

That led Nick to leave Weatherfield and move to Nottingham, but since his return, he’s turned on the charm. Jane Danson, who plays Leanne, says, ‘It’s a will-they-won’t-they situation. But they can’t live without each other so they’ve got to go for it once and for all.’

Nick and Leanne have a long history – they were teenagers when they tied the knot in 1998, divorcing a year later. Fifteen years on – following Leanne’s marriage to Peter Barlow in 2010 – they reunited and wed again in 2013, before Nick, suffering with a brain injury, decided it was best for them to part.

Jane says the couple have always been in love, but this is definitely their last chance. ‘They’ve known each other since they were 16, and have gone through a lot together.

‘Even though Nick might have done things that were wrong, and there are times he’s walked away, he’s always been there for Leanne, and nobody else matches up. I think Leanne’s heart belongs to him.’

Jane, who joined Corrie in 1997, hopes it all works out for Leanne, and for herself. ‘Having been in the show for such a long time there’s a danger of doing the same thing over and over,’ she explains. ‘It’d be nice to explore something new for them.’

It’s fair to say that it won’t be plain sailing for the couple. ‘We’ve been talking a lot about the past in our scenes, but there are a few surprises to come,’ says Jane.

Nick’s estranged wife Elsa, who followed him to Weatherfield saying he conned her out of £40,000 to buy the factory, may be involved. Nick tells Leanne he’ll sell his share to pay her off, but Elsa will stick around to ‘ruffle a few feathers’.

Nick and Leanne’s relationship will be further tested by Nick’s dislike of Leanne’s exes, Peter and Steve, and the fact Steve is Oliver’s dad. ‘Elsa’s a thorn in his side, as are Steve and Peter, and the fact he doesn’t have a child of his own,’ she says. ‘But he’s willing to support Leanne and Oliver.’

Greater Manchester-born Jane has two children with actor husband Robert Beck and will soon compete on Dancing On Ice. She signed up because, aged 40, ‘soon people will stop asking me to do these things.’

She adds, ‘I’ve wanted to ice skate since I was a little girl watching Torvill and Dean. I hope I don’t go out in week one, I’d be so disappointed.’