ITV Coronation Street’s Rowan causes Leanne and Toyah rift as dark secret exposed

Coronation Street’s Leanne and Toyah Battersby could be torn apart, as newcomer Rowan targets them.

The mystery new character drives a wedge between the sisters next week, as he continues to reel in Leanne for his institute. Amid a cult storyline being tackled on the show, Leanne clashes with Toyah over Rowan, before reporting back to him.

Rowan urges Leanne to abandon her sister in upcoming scenes, amid a dark secret being exposed involving the character. With Toyah set to reveal a truth about her past to Leanne’s partner Nick Tilsley next week, Leanne is left feeling betrayed by both of them.

Rowan soon arrives, and after weeks of telling her how his organisation the Autovalent Institute can help her, including exercises to ease her worries, he suggests to Leanne she should unburden herself of negativity and embark on some “uploading”. Leanne is unsure, but Rowan tells her to put herself first.

Leanne talks Rowan through all the bad things that have happened in her life, he listens intently and assures her that he’s by her side every step of the way. But as he reels her in, Toyah continues to share her feelings about Rowan and his ideas.

As a result, Rowan urges Leanne to immediately distance herself from her sister when she passes this discussion on to him – but will the sisters be torn apart? It comes as actor Emrhys Cooper teased what’s ahead for the plot.

He said to The Mirror: “Rowan’s main role at Autovalent is recruitment. He travels all over to present conferences and seminars, identifying the more receptive people and encouraging them into the fold. Once he’s done that, he schools them in how to recruit others. Rowan does not view Autovalent as a con.

“He can see people that are more susceptible. He can definitely see that Leanne is packing a lot, and he knows the right buttons to press. It’s going to be interesting to see what he does. [Fans should] keep an eye on what he’s gonna get up to.”

On Rowan’s involvement in the organisation, the actor went on: “It’s been brilliant for him, and he credits the organisation with totally turning his life around. He was a wild lad in his youth, and when he got into a fight and was arrested he resolved to change course.

“It was joining Autovalent that saved him.” On whether he will let Toyah get in the way of his plans for Leanne, he said: “Rowan isn’t fazed by Toyah’s reaction. He’s used to it. He wholeheartedly believes in the cause and isn’t thrown easily.

“What you’ve seen of Rowan so far is only the tip of the iceberg. He’s very clever and good at what he does, and yes, Leanne is in awe of him.

“There’ll be other residents who’ll be in his thrall, and may find themselves in the Institute after reading the upcoming scripts, I’m struck with just how many similarities and parallels I have to this storyline. It’s art imitating life.”