Coronation Street legend quits Weatherfield after 16 years – but leave furious family behind

FAN FAVOURITE character bids farewell to the cobbles next week leaving his family in tatters.

Simon Barlow - played by Alex Bain - will depart from the cobbles after 16 years.

Leanne finally makes it home after her retreat with Rowan
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Leanne finally makes it home after her retreat with RowanCredit: ITV
She is shocked to learn Simon is leaving to live with his dad and blames Nick
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She is shocked to learn Simon is leaving to live with his dad and blames NickCredit: ITV
Simon bids farewell to the Weatherfield
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Simon bids farewell to the WeatherfieldCredit: ITV

But unbeknownst to him, his mum Leanne continues to be brainwashed by a charming group mentor Rowan Cunliffe (Emhrys Cooper) - unaware he is actually a dangerous cult leader.

Upcoming scenes on the ITV soap will see Leanne finally return from the retreat and explain that her workshop overran so she stayed an extra night.

When Simon reveals that he’s leaving to join Peter on his yacht, Leanne’s furious that nobody bothered to consult her about it.

Nick assures her he left a message with Rowan which he obviously failed to pass on.

Leanne flies off the handle and accuses Nick of conspiring with Toyah behind her back.

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After waving off her son Leanne chats to someone on her laptop, telling them how Simon’s gone, she’s all alone and she wishes she could be with them.

Nick tries to make Leanne see that Toyah is trying to protect her from a corrupt organisation run by a madman.

Leanne refuses to listen and as Nick heads out, she opens her laptop, smiles at the person on the screen and tells them she loves them.

A shocked Toyah finds Leanne telling someone on her laptop screen that she loves them and reckons it is Rowan, but Leanne denies it.

Nick is shocked when Toyah tells him what she heard and heads straight home where he finds Rowan and Leanne holding hands on the sofa.

Coronation Street's most controversial, twisted and devastatingly dramatic moments

Will Leanne have an explanation?

Corrie fans have decided they have had enough and vented their frustrations towards Leanne.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), one irritated viewer wrote: “Leanne is so jarring please axe her #Corrie.”

Another shared: “Leanne being sucked in by a cult didn’t think she was that daft but she obviously is #Corrie.”

While a third vented: “Simply cannot believe this Leanne storyline. Would she really be this gullible? It beggars belief #Corrie.”

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8pm ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.

Leanne continues to be brainwashed by Rowan
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Leanne continues to be brainwashed by RowanCredit: ITV
Simon leaves the cobbles after 16 years
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Simon leaves the cobbles after 16 yearsCredit: ITV
Leanne says an emotional goodbye to her son
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Leanne says an emotional goodbye to her sonCredit: ITV