Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) and Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) formed one of Coronation Street’s most enduring couples.
With a marriage spanning four years – the equivalent of a life time in soap – the two were linked for a huge part of their soap tenures, with Leanne even becoming the primary carer for Peter’s son, Simon (Alex Bain) when his dad left for a new life on the open water.
Long before Peter ended up with Carla Connor-Swain (Alison King) and Leanne went back to her teenage love, Nick Tilsley (Ben Price), we all thought Peter and Leanne were endgame; or, at least, as ‘endgame’ as the soap Gods would allow.
Recently, Chris shared a throwback Corrie clip on Instagram and Jane was right up there in the replies with: ‘Come back already Peter’, to which a ton of fans and followers agreed.
As it turns out, her plea is part of a long-standing campaign to bring Peter – and Chris – back to Weatherfield!
‘I’m on a regular ‘Bring Peter Barlow back to Corrie‘ campaign! I meet up with Chris quite often and we wonder what Peter is up to since he left Weatherfield!’ Jane admitted.
Pondering on what his return storyline could look like to Inside Soap, Jane continued: ‘It’d be hilarious if Peter turns up with a baby, crashes at Leanne’s and gets jealous of her and Idris – the life he could have had! He’d go off somewhere and leave Leanne holding the baby again, like he did with Simon!’
She went on to reminisce on how she felt when the characters split for the final time: ‘I remember feeling bereft when Leanne and Peter split up. Chris and I had worked together for such a long time.’
Of course, Leanne is currently involved with the super suave but deeply devilish Idris Nazir (Junade Khan).
Idris’ shady business tactics and ruthless nature in dealing with just about anything has brought out Leanne’s own vicious streak.
If Peter was to re-emerge on the cobbles to reunite with Leanne, what would Idris do if challenged for her affection?
While Idris is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, Peter is definitely no slouch, and with testosterone flying and the love of Leanne on the line, would they make perfect enemies?
What happened with Peter Barlow and Leanne Battersby in Coronation Street?
After getting together as a proper couple way back in the halcyon days of 2008, Leanne stood by Peter during his bouts of relapse in his alcoholism journey.
Leanne also formed a strong bond with his young son, Simon, who’s own mother had passed away in a car crash.
The return of Nick, Leanne’s first love and ex-husband tested her resolve though, and they soon ended up in an illicit affair, though, when given a choice, Leanne opted to remain with Peter.
In the massive tram crash that came on the show’s 50th anniversary, Peter was left gravely injured and, fearing he may not survive, Leanne married him in a hospital bed-side ceremony, though ultimately, Peter recovered from his injuries.
Peter later began an affair with Carla, who was also battling her own relationship with alcohol, and the two bonded through their shared pain, and he and Leanne ultimately divorced, while a vicious feud for the ages formed between Leanne and Carla, who engaged in some legendary catfights on the Street.
Remaining co-parents to Simon, the two remained perpetually bound, though Peter’s eventual affair with Leanne’s sister, Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) tested the bonds of all involved, though they later also split prior to Peter’s reunion with Carla and ultimate departure from Weatherfield.