For many years the stories revolved around Mick, his brother Ellis (Francis Johnson) and cousin Jerome (Leon Lopez), while Leo and Gemma only played incidental roles.
After he witnessed his girlfriend flirting with his neighbour Jimmy Corkhill (Dean Sullivan), Leo started to drink heavily and then was seduced by Adele and the two had unprotected sex.
Her Catholic stepmother Diane (Bernie Nolan) was opposed to this but her father, Marty (Neil Caple), supported thweidea.
Despite Leo's promise Adele was determined to go ahead with the abortion and had a termination, later leaving the Close to attend the University of Leeds.
In November 1999, an All About Soap critic praised Cole's performance stating "we've watched Leo Johnson grow up on screen.