October 25th 2024.
Oh Les Battersby, we hardly knew you. It's hard to believe that it's been over a decade since we last saw him on the cobbles of Coronation Street.
The news of Les Battersby's death has caused quite a stir among fans of the show. I must admit, I didn't expect such a strong reaction. Many of us had forgotten about Les since his last appearance in 2007, and declaring him dead now seems a bit unnecessary.
It's sad to see him go, especially since we haven't heard much about him in recent years. But is it really necessary to kill off a character who hasn't been a major part of the show for so long? Some might argue that it's just a ploy to add more drama to Leanne and Toyah's already tumultuous lives, with one dealing with the loss of a stillborn baby and the other getting involved in a dangerous cult.
Killing off characters off-screen has become a common trope in soap operas, but it should serve a purpose. Les was never a favorite character of mine, but I can't help but wonder why he had to meet his end in a short-term storyline that only brings the siblings closer together.
Les Battersby and his family were definitely a handful. He was always at the center of some kind of drama on the street. But am I outraged by his death? Do I blame the show's producers for this decision? Is Coronation Street doomed without Les?
To be honest, no. It's been almost thirty years since Les first appeared on our screens, and let's be real, he was already an outdated and stereotypical character by then. He was a violent and abusive man, who later turned into a comedic buffoon. But even with this change, it was hard to overlook his transphobic and homophobic behavior.
At the time, some argued that the show needed a character like Les to shed light on the bigotry faced by the LGBTQ+ community. And I agree, but it's disappointing that it took so long for the show to address this issue. Characters like Les and even beloved ones like Vera, got away with making offensive comments and slurs for far too long. Times have changed, and thankfully, these kinds of attitudes are no longer acceptable on TV.
Les was a complex character, and over the years, we saw different sides of him. He became a father figure to Chesney, and his tumultuous relationship with Cilla turned into a campy pairing. But even with these changes, he was never a fan favorite. And let's face it, Les and Cilla as a couple just wouldn't work in today's world.
So why is everyone so upset about Les's death? Some have even gone as far as to say that it's the final straw for Coronation Street. I highly doubt that losing a character from almost three decades ago will be what brings down this British institution.
Whether you loved him, hated him, or were just indifferent like me, Les was a part of Coronation Street's past. And let's be real, he was never going to make a comeback, especially considering the controversy surrounding actor Bruce Jones. Even if he did come back, it's unlikely that he would fit into the show's current narrative.
We can't deny that Les was a big part of the show's history, but that's where he belongs. Dead or alive, there was never any doubt about that. So let's not kid ourselves by saying we were eagerly waiting for Les to make a comeback. The outrage over his death seems to be just for the sake of being outraged.
Some have accused the show of being "woke" for killing off Les, but the truth is, it's just a natural progression for his character. And it's time for us to accept that and move on. Les may be gone, but he will always be a part of Coronation Street's rich history.
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