Corrie Actress Jane Danson Clears Up Rumours Surrounding Leanne Battersby’s ‘Exit’

Coronation Street die-hards can sleep easy in their beds tonight, after Jane Danson – who plays fan favourite Leanne Battersby – finally laid to rest the rumours surrounding her ‘departure’.

Jane, who’s been in Coronation Street on-and-off since 1997 (!) told fans that she would NOT be leaving the show this year.

Copyright: [Rex]

Hooray!

Taking to Twitter, the actress wrote: “Just to let you know I am NOT leaving @itvcorrie as many people keep asking me… Unless of course you know something I don’t.’

Jane took a few years off for maternity leave in 2006 and 2009 and quit the show for four years back in 2000.

Rumours have been circulating that several characters are set to face the axe as new boss, Kate Oates, started making changes – including upping the number of episodes from next year.

Copyright: [Rex]

However, she’s slammed press reports that actors and staff are unhappy about the change – saying that the cast are actually really excited by it all.

Speaking at an exclusive press event at the show’s set in Manchester,

Kate said: “I’ve come from Emmerdale which has been doing six a week for a really long time, my assistant producer has also.

“We’re unfazed by it… we’ve done it. Through the summer we were even making seven a week!

“We’re like, ‘trust us guys, this is easy!’ It’s just about making sure the show is in a great place - we know by the time that it hits we’ve got loads of stuff brewing.”

The Sun claimed that stars including Kym Marsh and Shayne Ward were concerned about being worked to the bone, while Kate said the opposite is actually true.

Kate added: “The cast feel really galvanised by it. I’ve read quite a bit about the cast being unhappy but it’s just not the case at all. People are excited to work and about the investment by ITV.