Coronation Street fans will see the death of a soap legend announced in tragic circumstances as Leanne and Toyah Battersby are left blindsided.

Coronation Street’s Leanne Battersby and Toyah Habeeb are set to be blindsided by a tragic death on the ITV cobbles.

Les Battersby was killed off-screen, with police turning up to Leanne’s flat to inform her of the sad news. He died after an accident at work – leaving his daughters shellshocked.

Next week, it’s time for Les’ will reading, with Leanne, Kirk, Chesney, Fiz, Nick and Toyah all turning up to Adam Barlow’s legal offices to find out what Les had left behind.

In the same week, Leanne is set to give evidence at cult leader Rowan’s trial – and things quickly go wrong for her when she catches sight of his smug grin and loses her temper while on the stand. The court is quickly adjourned as Leanne struggles to take Rowan down in an emotional week.

For the Battersbys it’s too much to deal with. Les – who was a soap staple from 1997 until 2007 – was played by Bruce Jones, who is gutted that his character is finally being killed off.

The star was originally suspended from Soapland after he was filmed by an undercover reporter insulting his fans and revealing secret Corrie storylines on a night out.

But he says those same fans will be devastated. Speaking to the Daily Mail in October, Bruce said: “[Bosses] already emailed me a over a fortnight ago to tell me what was happening.”

He added: “I actually thought, well fine, I played him for ten years. It gives me closure. Maybe it will stop people asking me all the time when I’m going back, if I’m going back. People want me back, but it’ll stop all that, in shopping centres, wherever I go.

Bruce Jones played Les Battersby on the ITV soap (Image: Getty)

“I’m pleased it’s happening but I’m also sad about losing a character I played for ten years. I’m grateful to the street for that.”

Bruce feels “no animosity” towards ITV producers, even though fans have been begging him to return as “the street is dead”.

His co-star Vicky Entwistle – who played his wife Janice – acknowledged her co-star’s “hurt” at being ditched. On her social media, she posted: “Well all I can do is thank you for the fun we had. I know you are hurt, an email does in no way qualify. I guess the constant calls for you to come back upset them!!!”