Soap actors, especially in long-running shows like Coronation Street, are often the most sensitive to audience criticism. However, there are times when fans get invested in the plot at an unhealthy level. Did you know it even leads to star assaults off-screen? Well, recently, a Corrie actress, Jane Danson, shared a similar experience. The actress recalled the time she joined Cobbles. She opened up about being slammed and ‘assaulted’ by fans. Yet, despite the rocky beginning, Danson has evolved into a beloved fan favorite, and she cherishes her journey.
Coronation Street Star Opens Up About Receiving Hate From Fans
Coronation Street star Jane Danson is now a fan favorite, and people love her character Leanne Battersby. However, things have not always been the same way for the actress. In the year 1997, when she joined Cobbles, she received a lot of bashing from the soap fans. It’s because back then, the Battersby family was labeled as the ‘family from hell.’
Recently, the Coronation Street veteran opened up about the real-life dislike she faced because of her character. She recalled how Weatherfield had a limited cast and was a totally different place at the time. She added, “Then this rough family came in behaving terribly, and everyone hated them.” The soap star then shared how people made comments like ‘We hate you. Leave our street!’
The soap star expressed, “People wrote to me all the time saying I was just a girl from Bury who’d done a few bits of acting, so as an 18-year-old, that was a big shock.” She admitted that she is not as bold as Leanne in real life, but for Coronation Street fans, the character and place used to be real.
Jane Danson Recounts Her ‘Assault Experience’
The Coronation Street star shared a terrible experience with a Corrie fan. She explained, “One day, I was out at my local shops when an old woman hit me with her handbag and told me to ‘turn that bloody music down’ because Leanne had been shaking the cobbles with her big boom box!” The actress still remembers being too scared to leave her house after the incident.
Danson highlighted the fact that how different things are now, thanks to social media. In this age, fans can access actors’ and off-screen lives and witness what they are in real. However, she accepts that the attention is still pretty intense. The actress has been a part of Coronation Street for over 30 years now. Regardless of her rough beginning, she is grateful for the journey and the love she has been receiving.
The Leanne actress described her character as a ‘strong’ and ‘gobby.’ She believes that Leanne has fire in her belly, which has made her fun to play. Jane added, “I never imagined what Corrie would bring, and I have had some great storylines in those 26 years.” For more Coronation Street spoilers and updates, keep checking the TV Season & Spoilers!