Coronation Street fans in tears over heartbreaking Leanne Battersby decision

Coronation Street fans expressed their sadness on Twitter

Coronation Street
(Image credit: ITV)

Coronation Street fans were in tears on Wednesday night after Leanne Battersby made the difficult decision to turn off her son's life support.

Leanne's three-year-old son Oliver was tragically diagnosed with a rare form of a mitochondrial disease earlier this year, with Leanne and Oliver's dad Steve McDonald soon learning his condition was incurable, and life limiting.

In the first Corrie instalment, Leanne revealed to Steve that she will be representing herself in court as she battled to fight the hospital to keep her son alive after they informed them there was nothing more they could do.

Coronation Street

(Image credit: ITV)

But by the second episode of the night, and after months of fighting his corner, Leanne agreed with Steve and decided to give up the fight.

Leanne told her loved ones she was dropping the appeal against the hospital, and would allow Oliver to die with dignity.

Corrie fans soon took to Twitter to share their heartbreak over the distressing scenes, with one writing: "This episode of @itvcorrie is really hard to watch. Leanne #corrie #coronationstreet

"Poor Leanne #corrie #coronationstreet," said another. A third added: "This storyline is so sad man."

Coronation Street

(Image credit: ITV)

Other viewers praised actress Jane Danson for her portrayal, writing: "@RealJaneDanson Leanne breaks my heart… brilliant acting #coronationstreet."

Another wrote: "Lost count of how many times I’ve cried with Leanne/Jane’s performance on #coronationstreet."

No doubt it will be another emotional episode on Friday when viewers will see little Oliver pass away, with his parents by his side.

Jenni McKnight is a beauty, lifestyle and entertainment journalist and a regular contributor to woman&home, having previously worked as Acting Senior Content Editor of our former sister site, CelebsNow. She has also written for HELLO! Magazine, GoodToKnow, the Daily Mirror and Yahoo!