SIMON Barlow is drawn into drug dealing as he tries to help broke mum Leanne Batterbsy next week in Coronation Street.
Leanne has been hiding away in her flat unable to face the world after her son Oliver passed away from an incurable form of mitochondrial disease at the end of last year.
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The grieving mother had told everyone she’d gone to France to visit Stella and Eva, but Simon was stunned to discover her in the flat passed out next to sleeping pills.
With Leanne desperate for noone else to know she’s struggling, Simon agreed to lie for her – and take on all responsibilities caring for her.
Next week’s episodes of Corrie will see Simon grow sick with worry when he overhears Leanne on the phone and realises they’re behind with electricity payments.
Simon suggests they ask Nick for financial help, but Leanne refuses.
When Simon admits to his mate Jacob at the chippy that they’re struggling, Jacob offers to lend him £60.
Later, Simon heads home with shopping and tells Leanne he’s spoken to the electricity company and sorted a pre-paid meter.
During another shift at the chippy, Simon is horrified to realise the bike he left outside has been stolen but relieved when Jacob lends him his bike.
As Simon leaves with a chip shop delivery, however, Jacob stops him in his tracks and tells him he’s got a different delivery for him to complete.
Later, Leanne resigns from her job after Imran asks her when she might think about returning to work.
Simon feels the weight of the world on his shoulders knowing he’ll have to provide for Leanne financially from now on.
Corrie boss Ian MacLeod has revealed that Leanne will be forced to defend her son Simon after he gets himself into a lot of trouble.
Speaking about what’s to come in the coming months, Ian said: “What we’re trying to do with Simon and Leanne is find a way to play their grief that doesn’t feel like grief stories that we’ve done and other shows might have done.
“We’ve come up with something that starts quite small, but ends up turning into this colossal, thriller-ish, high-octane piece that will play out in the first six months of 2021.
“It ends up with Simon being driven by grief and getting himself into an inescapable situation.
“That forces Leanne to put her war paint on and go out in defence of her remaining son. She takes on an incredibly dangerous situation in order to protect Simon.
“That ends up drawing in Nick and Sam – and it collides with Peter and Carla’s love story too. It is a grief story, but it’s far removed from being one woman sitting alone in a room and feeling sad.”
