Coronation Street legend Jane Danson has hit out at ‘pathetic’ rumours that she has been axed from the long-running soap and begged her followers to not believe everything they read
Coronation Street legend Jane Danson has hit out at ‘pathetic’ rumours that she has been axed from the long-running soap. The actress, 46, first appeared as Leanne Battersby in 1997 and while she has had decades of having to deal with false stories about her, it is only after one particular social media post in particular that she has felt the need to speak out.
One Facebook group claimed that Jane had been ‘dismissed’ from the programme with just a month’ notice and she had written a ‘heartfelt letter’ in the wake of the news, none of which is true. The soap star took to Instagram late on Monday night to beg her fans to stop believing the ‘nonsense’ reports as she told them how ‘damaging’ they can be.
She fumed: «Can whoever runs coronation street secret news on Facebook stop making up stories and quoting cast members saying things that haven’t been said . Apparently I’ve been axed from the show and have written a letter to say how upset I am. First of all, if I have been ‘axed’ surely I would have been told?
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«Had almost 30 years of people feeling the need to say what they want or making up stories and I’ve never bitten back but I’ve had enough of reading absolute crap . Just stop it, it’s pathetic .
«And please stop believing the 99% nonsense these sites keep spinning . It can be so damaging and it’s really unkind . Think before you type.» Jane was supported by several of her co-stars, including Jack P Shephard, who stars as David Platt, and he humorously wrote: «I was dead online other day Jane [crying laughing emoji].»
Georgia Taylor, who plays Jane’s on-screen stepsister Toyah, simply said: «Amen to that, sis,» and the official Coronation Street Instagram page wrote: «We keep trying to get the fake posts taken down,» to which Jane replied: «let’s do it!!»
Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick, who is married to Corrie boss Kate Brooks, wrote: «They did one saying Kate Brooks has given her spouse a prominent role in the crossover?!?! Just blatant lies! It’s so infuriating isn’t it?»
Playwright Jonathan Harvey, who has written episodes of Coronation Street for over 20 years and is also known for creating sitcoms like Gimme Gimme Gimme and Beautiful People, wrote: «Every single post I write COMPLETE B******* under. So unnecessary and hurtful.»
Jane joined Coronation Street as part of the infamous Battersby clan in 1997, and along with Toyah, stepmother Janice (Vicky Entwistle) and father Les (Bruce Jones), they were dubbed the ‘neighbours from hell.’ Apart from a four-year break in the early 2000s, during which she appeared on The Bill, Jane has appeared on the programme continuously.
Even though Jane has played Leanne for so long, she recently admitted that she has never felt that the role was that secure to begin with. Speaking to This Morning’s soaps expert Sharon Marshall, Jane gushed over her time spent with the Corrie cast, but cryptically suggested no one is safe from cuts at ITV, which will see the broadcaster attempt to shave £15 million off its budget across the board, and axe one in 10 soap cast members as part of that.
“We’ve all done life together, you know? And as you say, we’ve been through good times and bad in life, and you know, it’s just lovely having that support. And it’s the most secure job you’ll get in this industry. I never dreamed it would pan out for so long,” she said.
Jane then changed her tune, and explained: “Even when it’s secure it’s never secure, but I’ve been so grateful for it. But you do change massively, and I never would have anticipated being there that long… all the people you meet along the way just enriches your job, and it’s just been a dream.”
Sharon then proclaimed: «Let’s have another 30 years!» Jane laughingly agreed: «Fingers crossed, fingers crossed!»
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