Coronation Street boss promises big storyline for ‘underused’ Toyah Battersby
CORONATION Street’s boss has assured there will be a big storyline for ‘underused’ character Toyah Battersby.
The medical centre counsellor returned to the street in 2016 after a 13-year absence and since her major 2018 baby storyline with Eva Price and a stint as landlady of the Rovers with then-boyfriend Peter Barlow, Toyah has somewhat faded into the background.
In a Q&A session, Corrie boss Iain MacLeod agreed with fan complaints and admitted that the character hasn’t been utilised recently.
He said: “She’s a fabulous actor and fabulous character, so we’re looking to fix that really.”
The showrunner did tease Toyah’s involvement in step-sister Leanne and Steve’s upcoming storyline with baby Oliver.
He added: “She’s obviously going to be a huge part of [that story]. “Then there’s a parallel thread for her and Imran, where they’re making some big life decisions of their own, which are thrown into disarray because of what’s going on.”
The director, who assumed the role on the UK’s oldest soap in 2018, promised fans that Toyah will have more screen time in the next few months as she tries to comfort Leanne after her son Oliver suffers another seizure.
He explained: “Obviously while everyone else starts to feel shut out from Leanne’s world and her private emotional turmoil, Toyah is very much Leanne’s rock.”
“She’s at her side throughout, she’s Leanne’s staunchest supporter. There’ll be a lot more screen time for Georgia and Toyah in the coming months.”
MORE ON CORRIE
Speaking of the lawyer, he has his hands full as he attempts to get Yasmeen out of prison after she stabbed her abusive husband Geoff in the neck with a bottle.
Geoff’s sick campaign of terror has made him public enemy No 1 and the actor behind the evil character Ian Bartholomew, revealed he even apologised to co-star Shelley King who plays tortured Yasmeen, after some of the worst abuse.
“And I found it really unpleasant last week when he got her on her knees and then kissed her hair and basically told her he would kill her if she was with anyone else.
“You can’t help but be affected by it, because it’s coming out of your mouth, even though it’s acting. You want to go and have a shower and wash him off.”