Fans will get to see the moment a Coronation Street icon is finally killed off off-screen.
It was revealed last month that legendary character Les Battersby would be given the boot off-screen after almost 20 years away from the cobbles. The decision was not welcomed by actor Bruce Jones, who said he was "pretty annoyed" by the decision by ITV bosses.
Now, the moment has arrived where viewers will get to see Les' family have the news delivered to them in heart-wrenching scenes. While much of Les' loved ones have bid Coronation Street farewell, the shock will hit sisters Leanne and Toyah hard.
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In scenes that will air next week, Nick - played by Ben Price - is set to reveal all about his secret relationship with Toyah - played by Georgia Taylor - to Leanne, played by Jane Danson. However, just as he is about to pluck up the courage to tell Leanne about what has happened between the two, a police officer arrives at Leanne's door to tell her that dad Les has died at work.
Being left in total shock, Leanne is distraught and rushes to find Toyah to break the terrible news to her. However, Nick is one step ahead and gives Toyah a call to warn her of the impending heartache.
After learning of the news, the often-feuding sisters will hug and share a moment of unity as they come together to grieve the loss of their father. But the fleeting moment does not last long as Toyah admits she already knew the news because of Nick's phone call, leaving Leanne confused.
Nick, however, will try to play defence - saying he was calling Toyah about an issue with the rota at his bistro, when the news slipped out accidentally. Toyah will then hop to Nick's side as Leanne becomes even more suspicious of the pair's seemingly odd relationship.
Becoming even more paranoid, Leanne logs into Nick's laptop to find his holiday to Tenerife he booked for him and Toyah. With things not adding up, Leanne will then call the hotel, demanding answers from Toyah as she suspects the worst is about to happen.
Previously, actor Bruce Jones said he was not happy about being given the formal boot from the show. He had been suspended since 2007, after it was revealed he had spilled the beans on confidential storylines with others, spoiling plots that had been in the works for months.
Revealing all in an interview with The Sun, Bruce explained: "I got an email from the casting office saying, ‘Dear Mr Jones, I am sorry to inform you Les Battersby will die in the next few months.' I read the email and thought, why send me an email like that?
"Why call me Mr. Jones - Why not call me Bruce?" He added: "That annoyed me a little bit, but then I felt relieved. Maybe it's time for me to go now."
The decision was also poorly received by some of Bruce's co-stars, such as on-screen wife Wendi Peters, who played scheming Cilla Battersby on the show. "There might have been a nicer way of approaching it," she explained.
Coronation Street airs every weekday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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