Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) is taking a huge risk in Coronation Street that could cost her dearly, as her new boyfriend Idris Nazir (Junade Khan) reveals his ruthless side. Despite a series of red flags, Leanne has been blind to Idris's true nature, which includes running a slum property with black mould that caused Abi Webster's (Sally Carman) son Alfie to have severe breathing difficulties, and threatening the old landlord with a teen minion named Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey).
Leanne's History and Recent Turmoil
Leanne's track record with men has been fraught, including her alcoholic ex-husband Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) and Nick Tilsley (Ben Price), who had an affair with her sister Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor). Recently, her adopted son Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) was bullied to the point of a psychotic breakdown by paedophile Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon). So, it's understandable that she might overlook the alarm bells that viewers see every time Idris enters the Rovers.
Idris's Bombshell Revelation
Idris is now targeting Speed Daal, the curry house where Leanne works, as part of his property empire. The problem is that Speed Daal is owned by Alya Nazir (Sair Khan), Idris's cousin—or rather, his niece. During tense negotiations, Idris revealed he is the product of an affair between his mother and Sharif, the philandering ex-husband of Alya's gran Yasmeen (Shelley King). This makes him the half-brother of Alya's late father Kal (Jimmi Mistry), who was also Leanne's late boyfriend. Leanne took the revelation surprisingly well, amused by the fact she has now slept with two brothers.
The Poker Game Gamble
Alya's recent drama has thrown her off her game, prompting her decision to sell Speed Daal. Idris needs to find £50k for her share. In next week's episodes, Leanne offers to lend him £5k, which he accepts. To raise the remaining £15k, Idris hosts a poker game at Speed Daal, inviting dodgy car-dealing gangster Fiona Morley (Sara Poyzer) and roping in Ollie to play her at the table in return for a cut of the winnings. Idris plans to cheat by feeding Ollie instructions throughout the game. However, the situation escalates when Cobbles Copper Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) joins the game, and Fiona insists on doubling the stakes.
Leanne's Reaction and the Fallout
The gamble is risky for Idris, but even riskier for Leanne when she discovers he used Ollie as a pawn against a deadly crime boss just to win money for a curry house. The following day, Idris is in the doghouse as a frosty Leanne makes it clear he's not welcome in her restaurant. As Leanne strides away, Idris hurries after her, and she rounds on him for gambling with her money. He points out that he cheated and her money was never at risk. But is that enough to earn her forgiveness? Leanne's trust in Idris may prove to be a fatal mistake, as she's effectively getting in bed with the devil—not in a romantic sense, but in a dangerous alliance that could have serious consequences.
