Rowan (Emrhys Cooper)

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/cor...-rowan-leanne/

Coronation Street introduces a mysterious new character called Rowan next week.

Rowan, played by Emrhys Cooper, makes his first appearance as Leanne Battersby and Simon Barlow attend an event at the Chariot Square Hotel together.

Next week's episodes see Simon forced to face the music after his recent drink-driving offence.

Simon crashed a car last month while taking Sam Blakeman to a chess competition. Aware that he was driving under the influence of alcohol, Simon fled from the scene alongside Sam.

After later acknowledging that he was drinking too much, Simon visited the police station to hand himself in over his mistake.

In upcoming scenes, Simon appears for his court hearing and his mum Leanne joins him.

Leanne's fianc? Nick Tilsley insists that he's far too busy to go with them. Simon is disappointed that Nick still seems to be holding a grudge over Sam's involvement in the crash, while Leanne is annoyed with Nick for not being more supportive.

Later in the week, Leanne decides to help Simon by taking him to a seminar being held by a mysterious group called The Institute.

The event is being held at the Chariot Square Hotel and Debbie Webster suggests Leanne should take Nick along, which would allow them to check out a nearby wedding fayre too.

Nick reluctantly agrees to accompany Leanne to the fayre, still burying his doubts over getting married again.

Later, in the hotel bar, Rowan approaches Leanne and offers her some unsolicited advice.

Leanne is initially taken aback by Rowan's approach, but she drops her guard when he encourages her to share her deepest thoughts and feelings.

When Rowan leaves and flashes Leanne a smile, she can't help but blush. Does this Weatherfield newcomer have a hidden agenda?

Coronation Street airs these scenes on Friday, March 15.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/cor...ult-storyline/

Coronation Street star Emrhys Cooper has confirmed that Toyah Battersby is onto his cult leader character of Rowan Cunliffe in a recent creepy storyline.

Rowan has appeared in recent (and will appear in upcoming) episodes of the soap as the figurehead of an organisation called The Institute, a cult targeting Nick Tilsley, Leanne Battersby and Simon Barlow.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Cooper has confirmed that Toyah ? Leanne's stepsister ? has her suspicions.

"I would love to tell you [about how much danger Leanne is in], but I honestly don't know yet, and I'm dying to find out," he said.

"Toyah is suspicious but Rowan isn't fazed by Toyah's reaction, he?s used to it. He wholeheartedly believes in the cause and isn't thrown easily."

Cooper also teased some upcoming developments in the storyline.

"What you've seen of Rowan so far is only the tip of the iceberg. He's very clever and good at what he does. And, yes, Leanne is in awe of him. There will be other residents who will be in his thrall and may find themselves in the institute."

Note: This section discusses topics including rape and baby loss.

Elsewhere for Toyah, a separate devastating storyline will address a particular traumatic event from her past.

Following Toyah's assault and rape at the hands of Phil Simmonds in 2001, viewers will learn that she fell pregnant as a result.

In a particularly devastating twist, it is set to be revealed that Toyah's baby was stillborn, and she was forced to bury her baby in a park.