Coronation Street's Leanne Battersby faces turmoil as cult leader Rowan tightens grip

Coronation Street: Rowan pushes Leanne to face her demons

Coronation Street's Leanne Battersby (played by Jane Danson) is set to face another agonising decision in the soap's latest cult storyline.

Audiences have been gripped as Leanne has fallen under the influence of The Institute, led by Rowan Cunliffe (Emrhys Cooper) who has been promising her a reunion with her son.

In a chilling twist, Leanne revealed to her partner Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) an AI version of her late son, Oliver, with whom she has been communicating. This digital representation mirrors the age Oliver would be if he had lived.

Leanne has been withdrawing from her loved ones to interact with the AI version of Oliver online. In scenes due to air next week, Rowan will intensify his efforts to isolate Leanne further.

Nick Tilsley, Leanne Battersby and Toyah Habeeb in Coronation Street (Image: ITV)

Viewers will see her make the heart-breaking choice to distance herself from her sister Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) while she undergoes surgery. Rowan convinces Leanne that prioritising herself over Toyah's operation is the right decision, reports the Liverpool Echo.

However, it's Nick who surprises everyone by staying at Toyah's side. Meanwhile, Leanne remains focused on The Institute, as Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) reveals her plans to invest her inheritance in the new resource centre, pending approval from Ken.

At the hospital, a consultant approaches Nick with news.

Nick Tilsley, Leanne Battersby and Toyah Habeeb in Coronation Street (Image: ITV) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Leanne receives a call from him, alerting her that Toyah is facing complications and she needs to hurry over. However, Rowan doesn't let her go without a fight and continues his efforts to sow discord between Leanne and her family.

Rowan confronts Leanne about Amy's decision, but when she insists she doesn't have time for it as she's rushing to see Toyah, he fears he's losing his grip on her. He realises he needs to find another way to manipulate her.

After reuniting with her sister at the hospital, things get more complicated when Nick confides in Toyah that he's fallen for her and plans to confess this to Leanne. Meanwhile, Nick gets a message from Rowan demanding him to cough up the £20k investment or he'll spill the beans about his affair.

Coronation Street's Leanne Battersby faces turmoil as cult leader Rowan tightens grip

Coronation Street's Leanne Battersby faces turmoil as cult leader Rowan tightens grip

Coronation Street's Leanne Battersby faces turmoil as cult leader Rowan tightens grip

Coronation Street's Leanne Battersby faces turmoil as cult leader Rowan tightens grip

Coronation Street's Leanne Battersby faces turmoil as cult leader Rowan tightens grip