Leanne Battersby
Leanne Battersby, formerly Tilsley
Played by: Jane Danson
First Appeared: 1997 (UK)
Date of Birth: 2 July 1981
Occupation: Runs the Italian restaurant, also worked as an escort and in the office at Underworld
Relations: Daughter of Les Battersby, Stepdaughter of Janice Battersby. Ex-wife of Nick Tilsley
Love: Married and divorced Nick Tilsley, dated Jamie Baldwin, had an affair with his father Danny Baldwin. Dated Liam Connor.
Storylines: Her teenage relationship with Nick Tilsley did not meet with approval from his mother Gail, and the two eloped to Scotland. However when Leanne became pregnant Nick pressured her into having an abortion and they divorced soon afterwards.
After developing a cocaine addiction Leanne became indebted to local heavy Jez Quigley. After she was hospitalised by one of his thugs she escaped to Amsterdam with Mark Redman (Mike Baldwin's son).
She returned to the street after being found working as a belly dancer by father Les, and caused trouble between her ex, Nick and new girlfriend Maria Sutherland.
She began dating and got engaged to Jamie Baldwin, but began an affair with Jamie's father Danny.
Leanne helped Danny to care for his ailing father Mike, in the hope of increasing his share of the inheritance. When Danny left Leanne for Frankie Leanne blackmailed Danny with a newer version of Mike's will. Double crossing Danny she took his money and gave the new will to Adam Barlow, and headed for Spain.
On her return she began dating new factory boss Liam. She told him she was an estate agent but was in fact working as an escort. Her secret was discovered by Liam's married brother Paul when he inadvertently hired her. Meanwhile Leanne was planning to open a restaurant with Paul's wife Carla.
When Carla found out that Paul visited escorts, she left him and Paul blamed Leanne. He abducted Leanne, putting her in the boot of his car, planning to make her confess to Liam. However when the car crashed, Paul was killed. Leanne survived, but lost Liam.
Leanne continued with her plan to open a restaurant without Carla's backing, taking on Paul Clayton as a partner and chef. However the restaurant has struggled.
