Coronation Street: Viewers shocked as real father of Leanne Battersby's baby is revealed

The mystery surrounding Leanne Battersby and the father of her unborn child continues to baffle viewers on Coronation Street.

As the tangled love triangle between Steve McDonald, Leanne Battersby and Michelle Connor continues to keep Corrie fans gripped, actress Jane Danson – who plays Leanne – has come out and said that she was amused to hear who some people believed was the real father of her baby.

She claimed that although everyone knows Steven is the father, many viewers believed it was bistro chef Robert Preston.

While the worst kept secret in Weatherfield was confirmed when Leanne stated the identity of the dad, it was an apparent shock to some Corrie viewers – who couldn't quite believe that the married ladies' man Steve had fathered the child.

The twist will be an explosive story line on the cobbles as Steve's wife Michelle is also pregnant with his baby and knows nothing about the one-night affair with Leanne. How will she react?

Other potential fathers included Leanne's ex-hubby Nick Tilsley and her late fiancé's son, Zeedan Nazir.

On Tracy's ex Robert being the number one suspect, Danson said: "It was a funny one because everyone assumed it would not be Steve's and when the secret was revealed it was like 'what, really?'

"It was interesting seeing everybody's reaction. Most people thought it would be Robert's. It's one of those stories that has to be played in real time and it's still not at the end," reports Manchester Evening News. "It will be interesting to see what happens. There's a lot more to come," she added.

It was confirmed this summer that Leanne's one night stand with Steve – the Rovers Return landlord – had resulted in her shock pregnancy. As it stands, Leanne continues to keep the father's identity from her family and friends following her decision that she doesn't want Steve to have anything to do with the baby.

The only people who are in on her big secret are Leanne's partner Nick – who has nobly agreed to raise the child as his own – and Steve's mother Liz.

"I know who the father is - it's the most fertile man in Weatherfield. He only has to look at a woman and she's pregnant."

Actress Kym Marsh, who play Michelle, jokingly added: "Being as fertile as Steve is, he only has to put his undies on the bed and you're pregnant."

Coronation Street continues tonight (21 November) on ITV at 7.30pm.