An update on Janice Battersby.

Coronation Street has explained a missing character in Toyah Battersby’s story.

Earlier this week, Toyah was diagnosed with germ cell ovarian cancer. Her treatment would require an operation to remove a tumour and possible chemotherapy sessions. Nick and Leanne subsequently squabbled over how best to support her, but Toyah ultimately told them she didn’t want either involved in her treatment.

In Wednesday’s (July 24) episode, Toyah dropped a similar bombshell when she confessed she hadn’t told her mother Janice Battersby about her diagnosis and didn’t plan to.

The explanation was a way for the soap to explain why Janice wouldn’t be coming to Weatherfield to support her daughter, as the character was last seen on screen in 2011.

An on-screen return for Janice actor Vicky Entwistle may be unlikely since she’s been publicly critical of Coronation Street’s darker storylines for Toyah of late.

Following this revelation, Nick decided to support Toyah despite her decree by showing up at her consultation.

The pair shared a hug before Nick realised someone was photographing them. Nick immediately suspected Rowan and The Institute must be responsible so he barged into the group’s meeting at the Chariot Square hotel.

Nick angrily punched Rowan in the face and ordered him to stay out of his family’s life. A horrified Leanne demanded Nick explain himself, so he told a half-truth that Rowan sent someone to photograph Toyah at her cancer consultation.

“Nick, this is insane. Have your heard yourself?” a disbelieving Leanne replied. “You better hope he doesn’t want to press charges.”

Later, Leanne announced that Rowan had graciously declined to press charges against Nick, though he knew this was another of The Institute’s mind games.

Nick was bereft when Toyah accused him of putting their lives in jeopardy, especially after Leanne announced she was going to “withdraw, with love” from her sister’s treatment. Later, Nick admitted during an emotional conversation with David Platt that he was falling in love with Toyah.

“I can’t change how I feel,” Nick admitted to David.

Will Nick confess to Leanne?