Coronation Street’s Jane Danson discusses harrowing onscreen son Oliver’s storyline

‘There’s still so much more to see’: Coronation Street’s Jane Danson discusses harrowing storyline which follows her onscreen son Oliver battling life-limiting genetic condition

Jane Danson has spoken about her harrowing storyline, which follows her son Oliver falling ill with mitochondrial disease on Coronation Street.

The actress, 41, who plays Leanne Battersby in the soap, appeared on Loose Women on Wednesday and told the panel she felt a ‘huge responsibility’ to get it right. 

Mitochondrial disease, affects the heart, brain, muscles and lungs and can lead to seizures, atypical cerebral palsy, autistic features, developmental problems, fainting and temperature instability. 

Important topic: Jane Danson has spoken about her harrowing storyline, which follows her son Oliver falling ill with mitochondrial disease on Coronation Street

Jane said: ‘This storyline had a huge sense of responsibility, as this is someone’s story. 

‘Myself and Simon Gregson, who plays Steve, have had lots of messages from people going thought it. So we have a responsibility to get it right. 

‘Not only the medical side of things but the human side too, which is obviously my responsibility.’ 

Harrowing: The actress, 41, plays Leanne Battersby in the soap (pictured with Simon Gregson (Steve)

Harrowing: The actress, 41, plays Leanne Battersby in the soap (pictured with Simon Gregson (Steve)

Portrayal: Jane said: 'This storyline had a huge sense of responsibility, as this is someone’s story'

Portrayal: Jane said: ‘This storyline had a huge sense of responsibility, as this is someone’s story’

Filming for Coronation Street has currently been halted, with the backlog of pre-recorded episodes set to run out at the end of June. 

Jane said: ‘With the storyline we still have a long way to go, we are on pause right now, but there’s still so much more to see.’

The soap star also revealed she and Simon Gregson, who plays Oliver’s father Steve, did a lot of research for the role and spoke to Liz Curtis, from The Lily Foundation, who lost her own daughter Lily to the disease. 

Gripping: Jane said: 'With the storyline we still have a long way to go, we are on pause right now, but there’s still so much more to see'

Gripping: Jane said: ‘With the storyline we still have a long way to go, we are on pause right now, but there’s still so much more to see’

Research: The soap star also revealed she and Simon Gregson, who plays Oliver's father Steve, did a lot of research for the role

Research: The soap star also revealed she and Simon Gregson, who plays Oliver’s father Steve, did a lot of research for the role

On being scared about her job over the storyline, Jane said: ‘It’s not so much about being scared about losing the job. In this industry, there’s never a guarantee. I was more worried which direction it would go, I worried how she’ll cope if it came to the worst.’

Talking about how the cast has been keeping in touch, Jane said: ‘We’ve been doing A lot of zooming, we’ve got a WhatsApp group keeping in touch as a group and individually. Everyone is dealing with things differently.  

‘We all have good days and bad days. We are a family. We’re all looking forward to getting back together and working together.’

Coronation Street next airs on Wednesday at 7.30pm on ITV.  

Her take: On being scared about her job over the storyline, Jane said: 'It’s not so much about being scared about losing the job. In this industry, there’s never a guarantee'

Her take: On being scared about her job over the storyline, Jane said: ‘It’s not so much about being scared about losing the job. In this industry, there’s never a guarantee’