Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street’s Leanne Battersby gets a second chance at love this summer as a new face arrives in Weatherfield.
Show bosses have cast Junade Khan in the role of Idris, who is the cousin of established character Alya Nazir.
ITV
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Junade has already started filming at the ITV soap and will appear on screen in the coming weeks.
Speaking to Digital Spy at a recent Corrie press event, producer Kate Brooks commented: “Idris is very charming – the charm oozes out of every pore of this guy!
“He’s a savvy businessman and he’s got a bit of a ruthless streak. He’s not ready to get his hands even slightly dirty! But he can charm the birds from the trees.”
Idris’s arrival opens a new chapter for Leanne, who’s had a tough few years following her time in The Institute cult and the revelation that her partner Nick Tilsley and sister Toyah had an affair.
Brooks confirmed: “Idris is a new love interest for Leanne. The attraction is instantaneous. It gives Leanne a new lease of life. She’s been harbouring a deep-rooted resentment towards Toyah and Nick, because that’s the life she had.
ITV
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“But then this guy comes along – he’s got it all and he makes her laugh. He’s funny, he’s a handsome chap and he ruffles a lot of feathers, but he’s not without an edge. He’s not soft and he’s certainly no pushover.
“He butts heads with some of our more alpha characters quite early on. We’re really excited about Idris – he’s brilliant.”
As Leanne’s stepson Sam Blakeman has a tough time ahead with his mental health in the wake of Megan Walsh’s deception, the introduction of Idris is sure to provide a welcome distraction amid her family concerns.
ITV
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Jane Danson, who plays Leanne, had previously called for her character to find love again – suggesting the idea of a bad boy.
“Do you know what, there aren’t a huge amount of possibilities! We’re a bit short on the men front,” she told Inside Soap in December 2024.
“I think long-term she needs a Cain Dingle – I think he should hotfoot it over from Emmerdale, have a pint in the Rovers and have a thing with Leanne!”
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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