Coronation Street stars Georgia Taylor and Jane Danson marked 25 years since they arrived on the cobbles as sisters Toyah and Leanne Battersby. On Monday (July 4) it was a quarter of a century since the made their debut in the ITV soap as part of the hellraising family alongside Les and Janice.
Leanne was brought up by her father Les and stepmother Janice, alongside Toyah, who was born as the result of a teenage fling between Janice and Ronnie Clegg, with Toyah growing up not knowing her father. The Battersbys moved into 5 Coronation Street in July 1997.
It was announced the 'family from hell' were to be introduced to the hit soap to draw up some trouble. Shortly after moving to Weatherfield, Toya fell for eco-warrior Spider Nugent while troublesome teen Leanne soon eloped with Nick Tilsley to Scotland.
Both actresses took breaks from the soap while their on-screen parents, played by Bruce Jones and Vicky Entwistle, haven't been seen on-screen for years despite fans' numerous calls for their return.
At the start of the week, Jane took to Instagram with a smiling snap as she gripped on to a beautiful bouquet of flowers that had been presented to her from her bosses to mark the special anniversary. "Just received the most beautiful flowers from my @coronationstreet family," the soap star, 43, wrote to her thousands of followers.
"25 years ago today, 'The Battersby's' arrived on the street. Too many memories to pick a favourite but I will never ever forget how this moment changed all our lives and I am forever grateful," she added. Jane then shared a brilliant throwback of the soap family of four.
"Here is our very first tv cover… its so old its gone grey- just like my roots," she joked before tagging TV Times where the picture and interview appeared, showing the fresh-faced Bettersby's back in the late nineties.
Georgia was quick to respond to Jane's post, writing: "We’re so lucky aren’t we, Sis." Alan Halsall, who is a year away from his 25 anniversary playing Tyrone Dobbs, replied with a red heart and wrote: " Corrie legend!" Todd Grimshaw actor Gareth Pierce wrote: "Massive congrats to you & @realgeorgiataylor, you gorgeous, talented and wonderful humans!"
Jack P Shepherd, famed for his portrayal of David Platt in the ITV soap, said: "Congratulations Jane!" while Kirk Sutherland star commented: " You’re a Corrie Legend Jane and we love you." Abi Webster actress Sally Carman added: "This is awesome. You're awesome. Congratulations you absolute beaut."
Georgia also shared a picture of her own bunch of flowers that had been placed in a vase in her smartly-decorated home. "Thank you so much to @coronationstreet for my stunning flowers, to mark 25 years since The Battersby's first appeared on screen," the Wigan-born star wrote.
"This job has given me so much and returning to it a few years ago was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And it gave me my friendship with @realjanedanson which is utterly priceless."
But one thing to catch people's eyes is that a couple of her co-stars were using Georgia's real name - Claire. Echoing his earlier comment to Jane, Andy said: " You’re a Corrie Legend Claire and we love you." While Sally wrote: " Congratulations!! You’re the best Claire, truly brilliant."
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