Coronation Street viewers are convinced that Les Battersby was murdered – and they have a pretty good idea of who killed him
Fans of Coronation Street are speculating that the character Les Battersby has been murdered, and they believe they know who is responsible.
The character, portrayed by Bruce Jones, first appeared on the soap in 1997 along with his wife Janice (played by Vicky Entwistle), his daughter Leanne (Jane Danson) and stepdaughter Toyah (Georgia Taylor).
It’s safe to say he caused quite a stir on the famous cobbles with his scheming and intimidating behaviour. However, Les also added a dash of humour to the long-standing ITV soap. After Janice and Les’ notorious split, which was triggered by Janice falling for Dennie Stringer (Charles Dale), Les found new love with Cilla Brown (Wendi Peters).
However, in 2007, actor Bruce Jones departed from the show, and Les hasn’t been seen since. But earlier this year in October, it was announced that the soap would be writing off the character, reports Lancs Live.
This week on the cobbles, it was disclosed that Les had died off-screen. In Friday’s episode (November 29), Leanne was informed of Les’ death by a police officer, who told her that he had passed away at work.
The news left Leanne and Les’ former stepson Chesney (Sam Aston) heartbroken – but viewers are suspecting a surprise murder plot twist. Furthermore, next week’s episodes hint that there’s more to Les’ death than initially meets the eye.
Recent spoilers have illuminated that Adam Barlow (played by actor Sam Robertson) is set to deliver some intriguing news to Leanne, as well as Les’s former stepchildren Toyah Habeeb (Georgia Taylor), Fiz Dobbs (Jennie McAlpine), and Chesney in a forthcoming plot twist.
Adam has come forward with the information that the abattoir where Les formerly worked is prepared to offer £50,000 in compensation for his death on the job. The catch?
The sum comes with the condition of signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This proposition has led fans to speculate that Les may have been murdered, setting the stage for a gripping storyline.
On a dedicated Coronation Street Facebook fan page, viewers have been expressing their shock and theories about Les’s demise. One user lamented: “Gutted about Les!” While dissecting this emerging theory in the comment section, one viewer posed the question: “Anyone else think he was killed?” Another suggested, “There’s something dodgy happening definitely.”
A further twist could involve Leanne, especially considering her tumultuous year, as one observer speculated: “Leanne killed Les? Hear me out, she could be in the middle of a breakdown after the institute and Toyah’s affair?” Echoes of agreement followed, including one believer who commented: “Yes to this!” Another remarked: “They didn’t have an amazing relationship either so it could be.”
At the same time, speculation has swirled around Les’s ex, soap icon Cilla Brown (Wendi Peters). One fan speculated: “Or what about Cilla? She could come back then,” stoking the fires of intrigue among the soap’s loyal audience, with another chiming in: “That’s ‘true’! I miss her so much.”
Cilla first made her appearance on the renowned cobbles back in 2003. Initially introduced as Les Battersby’s romantic interest, Cilla quickly became a fan favourite. She was part of several unforgettable moments, including the iconic scene where Cilla and Les (Bruce Jones) crashed through their ceiling after their dog Schmeichel disrupted their bath.
However, in 2007, soap enthusiasts were left disappointed when Cilla bid farewell to the cobbles. A year later, Wendi made a brief appearance as Cilla Battersby in the soap spin-off Coronation Street: Out Of Africa. The character made a short return in 2014, but since then, the outspoken soap darling has been missing from Weatherfield.
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX
