‘I couldn't see for crying'

Star Jane Danson on Leanne’s heartbreaking battle to save her son Oliver

- JOHNATHON HUGHES

CORONATION STREET MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY / ITV / TIMES VARY / SOAP

Corrie’s Leanne Battersby has been living every mother’s worst nightmare, watching on as her three-year-old son, Oliver, battles an incurable illness.

Despite doctors insisting nothing more can be done for the lad, who was diagnosed with the mitochondrial disease earlier this year, determined Leanne has refused to give up hope. And this week she heads to court with the tot’s dad, Steve, in a bid to stop medics turning off Oliver’s life-support machine.

In an exclusive interview with TV Times, star Jane Danson, who turns 42 on 8 November, gives us her take on Leanne’s fight, and reveals how she’s coped with filming one of the most powerful soap storylines of the year…

How does Leanne feel as the court case gets underway?

She feels abandoned by everyone apart from Steve, which makes her reflect on what a brilliant dad he’s been. After a few glasses of wine, almost a bottle, she throws herself at him! She’s so stressed, and just needs to feel loved and comforted, but he’s like, ‘What are you playing at?’ And then she feels a bit of a fool, because that’s not going to make anything better; in fact, it’s more likely to make things a million times worse.

The judge rules that Oliver’s life support should be turned off. How does Leanne react to that?