Coronation Street spoilers: Leanne Battersby is horrified to discover a secret that could destroy Simon Barlow ahead of sad ending

Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) discovers the extent of Simon Barlow’s (Alex Bain) issue with drinking in Coronation Street soon.

Over the past few weeks, Simon’s alcohol consumption has started to become a serious concern for his family.

‘In a way he is becoming his dad’, Alex Bain told us.

‘I think Leanne can see that and is worried he has pressed the self-destruct button. I do wonder if it has always been there, there was that time when he was younger and he passed out through drinking. There was always the possibility with his dad’s addiction that he could go down that road.’

In upcoming episodes of the ITV soap, Simon wakes up on the sofa with a banging headache again.

As Bobby (Jack Carroll) clears away the empties after a party, Simon sneaks a swig of vodka.

Back at home, Nick (Ben Price) asks Simon to take Sam (Jude Riordan) to his chess tournament because he’s off shopping with Toyah (Georgia Taylor).

As they set off, it isn’t long until Simon – who is over the limit – loses control of the car and crashes into a road sign.

Afterwards, a guilty Simon admits to Leanne that he pranged her car but when she insists they report it to the police, Simon refuses and reveals he was over the drink drive limit.

Leanne is horrified, but what will she do next?

Report Simon to the police, or cover for him?

‘He’s a broken person’, Alex said.

‘He’s not outwardly a villain. He’s not this type of person who’s all confident, he might come across as confident but he’s not. I think he’s just a broken individual who really hasn’t got anyone properly looking out for him and who has dealt with a lot from losing his mum at such a young age to now being left behind by his dad.

‘He is looking for someone to take care of him. Someone who’s his person that puts him first above everything else, he’s never had any.

‘I think he just wants someone to be there just for him to be his person.’