Coronation Street viewers sobbed for poor Leanne Battersby as she broke down in court on Friday evening, when the judge recommended her son Oliver’s life support should be switched off.
Leanne and Oliver’s dad Steve McDonald sat in heartbreaking silence as the judge concluded that it is in Oliver’s best interest that his life support be withdrawn.
Oliver was diagnosed with an incurable form of mitochondrial disease, and the judge decided keeping him alive would prolong his suffering.
After the judge revealed her decision, Leanne stood up with tears streaming down her face.
She shouted in desperation: “No, please please please don’t do this! Please no.”
Leanne Battersby broke down in court when it was confirmed Oliver’s life support should be withdrawn (Image: ITV)
Viewers went into meltdown on social media after watching the heart-wrenching moment.
One viewer wrote: “Tears streaming, my heart breaks for Leanne and Steve”.
While another wrote: “God this is heartbreaking, got my whole family in tears (even dad and he never cries)”.
A third added: “Sobbing. Heartbreaking.”
Later in the episode, Leanne told Steve they should appeal the court’s decision again, saying they can’t give up on Oliver.
Fans were heartbroken as they watched a tearful Leanne beg the judge to reconsider (Image: ITV)
However, after agreeing to appeal, Steve later revealed he didn’t agree with Leanne.
He told her that they should do as the doctors say and let Oliver be at peace.
Leanne screamed at him in the harrowing scenes: “I hate you for this. I hate you for doing this. Pretending you’re going to be on our side…”
“You don’t love him as much as I do. You can’t love him like I do to say all this”, she added.
Leanne and Steve had a upsetting row after he told her he wouldn’t support another appeal to save Oliver (Image: ITV)
Steve told Leanne: “I’m not going to support the appeal.”
Leanne crumbled as she realised this meant she would lose her son.
She cried: “No Steve, you wouldn’t be so evil. No please don’t kill him Steve.”
The sobbing mum then kicked Steve out, continuing to read to her son before the show came to an emotional end.
Coronation Street continues on Monday at 7.30pm on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
