It’s a brave person who crosses Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) – something the sly Rowan Cunliffe (Emrhys Cooper) found out for himself in Wednesday’s Coronation Street.
Tracy attacked the corrupt Institute cult leader after he scammed her vulnerable daughter Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) into handing over her inheritance.
Fans of the ITV soap have seen Amy get dragged further and further into the cult in recent weeks, as Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) has encouraged her to invest in a resource centre, not realising she has been brainwashed herself.
On Wednesday, Amy asked her grandfather Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) to transfer over the £40,000 she’d been left by late grandmother Diedre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride) ahead of her malware session with The Institute.
Halfway through the session, however, Amy broke down and walked out.
Realising the organisation and their practices were no longer for her, she tried to stop Ken from sending the money – but it was too late.
Going to see Leanne to ask for her money back, she said she would speak with Rowan and insisted it wouldn’t be a problem. However, she was later told it would be difficult to retrieve the funds, as they had already landed with The Institute’s parent company.
![FROM ITVSTRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before Tuesday 20th August 2024Coronation Street - Ep 1134950Wednesday 28th August 2024As Leanne Battersby [JANE DANSON] insists Amy Barlow [ELLE MULVANEY] is ready for her malware session, a blindfolded Amy is horrified as the members bombard her with insults. Leanne assures her it’ll be worth it in the end but Amy becomes too distressed and runs out.Picture contact - David.crook@itv.comPhotographer - Danielle BaguleyThis photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and condition](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEI_217992495_df644c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C407)
Amy’s furious parents, Tracy and Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), reported the matter to the police, but were stunned when the police said there would be no case to answer as Amy had willingly handed over the cash.
Taking matters into her own hands, Tracy enlisted Leanne’s husband Nick Tisley (Ben Price) – who has long been sceptical of The Institute – to visit Rowan and confront him.
As he repeated the lies he’d told Leanne, Tracy saw red and threw water over him before storming out.
Nick then vowed to report Rowan to the police for attempting to blackmail him over his affair with Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) unless he was to hand back the money – insisting he was prepared to blow up his own relationship.
With the net seemingly closing in on Rowan, will he cave to Nick’s demands?
