{"id":341370,"date":"2026-03-11T23:23:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T23:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/341370\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T23:23:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T23:23:10","slug":"coronation-streets-will-star-nearly-played-another-character","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/341370\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronation Street&#8217;s Will star nearly played another character"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Coronation Street spoilers\" data-node-id=\"3.1.0.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Coronation Street spoilers<\/a> follow, while this article contains discussion of grooming.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Coronation Street star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70306248\/coronation-street-spoilers-will-questions-megan\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70306248\/coronation-street-spoilers-will-questions-megan\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Lucas Hodgson-Wale\" data-node-id=\"9.2\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lucas Hodgson-Wale<\/a> has revealed he originally auditioned to play a different character on the soap, before landing the role of Will Driscoll. The teenager arrived on the cobbles last year alongside his dad Ben, brother Ollie, Ben&#8217;s partner Eva Price, and her daughter Susie, as the new owners of The Rovers Return. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Will has been at the centre of an insidious grooming storyline, which has seen him entering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70708866\/coronation-street-spoilers-megan-downfall-first-clue\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70708866\/coronation-street-spoilers-megan-downfall-first-clue\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"a sexual relationship with his coach Megan Walsh\" data-node-id=\"13.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">a sexual relationship with his coach Megan Walsh<\/a>. However, the young actor revealed that had previously sent in a self-tape for a different role.   <\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"ben driscoll, will driscoll, coronation street\" title=\"EMBARGOED UNTIL 17\/03\/2026 00:01 Ben Driscoll, Will Driscoll, Coronation Street \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4016\" height=\"2706\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ben-driscoll-will-driscoll-coronation-street-69aeaba27a0fe.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>ITV<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services\" data-node-id=\"18.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;My agent originally sent in a self-tape for the role of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a66139475\/coronation-street-spoilers-noah-theo-shock\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a66139475\/coronation-street-spoilers-noah-theo-shock\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Theo [Silverton]&#039;s son, Miles\" data-node-id=\"22.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Theo [Silverton]&#8217;s son, Miles<\/a>. I did the tape but wasn&#8217;t successful,&#8221; Hodgson-Wale said. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The role of Miles ultimately went to Lewis William Magee, but Hodgson-Wale soon got another chance to impress the Coronation Street casting team. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;A couple of months later, I got another request for Corrie and thought, &#8216;Okay, here we go again!&#8217; I read the script for Will and sent that tape off,&#8221; he recalled.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;The funny thing is, I went on holiday to the Dominican Republic literally the day after my screen test. I was sitting by the pool on holiday when my agent called to say I&#8217;d got the part. It turned the whole holiday into one long celebration!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"megan, will driscoll, coronation street\" title=\"Megan, Will Driscoll, Coronation Street\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/megan-will-driscoll-coronation-street-69776156311f3.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>ITV<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"41\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">As for Will&#8217;s harrowing storyline with Megan, the subplot is coming to a head in the coming weeks when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70650081\/coronation-street-megan-exposed-trailer\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70650081\/coronation-street-megan-exposed-trailer\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Leanne Battersby starts suspecting\" data-node-id=\"41.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Leanne Battersby starts suspecting<\/a> that the sports coach is cheating on Daniel Osbourne. This comes after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70708916\/coronation-street-jude-riordan-sad-family-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70708916\/coronation-street-jude-riordan-sad-family-news\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Sam Blakeman\" data-node-id=\"41.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sam Blakeman<\/a> has realised that something is off with Megan, who is bullying him to keep him silent.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"45\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Once the truth is out, Ben and Eva will do whatever it takes to protect Will from his coach, who has since become pregnant with his baby. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70368112\/coronation-street-death-possibilities-flashforward\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70368112\/coronation-street-death-possibilities-flashforward\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Megan confirmed as a potential murder victim in the recent flashforward\" data-node-id=\"45.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Megan confirmed as a potential murder victim in the recent flashforward<\/a>, could the Driscolls&#8217; revenge turn deadly? <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"49\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Meanwhile, the soap will also revisit Tim Metcalfe&#8217;s grooming storyline, with his abuser Trisha Marlow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70644653\/coronation-street-spoilers-tim-trisha-return\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a70644653\/coronation-street-spoilers-tim-trisha-return\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Trisha will soon be returning\" data-node-id=\"49.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">soon returning<\/a> to the cobbles.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"53\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Coronation Street has worked on Will and Megan&#8217;s grooming storyline with support from Barnardo&#8217;s. Support and information is available via the charity&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnardos.org.uk\/get-support\/support-for-parents-and-carers\/child-abuse-and-harm\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.barnardos.org.uk\/get-support\/support-for-parents-and-carers\/child-abuse-and-harm\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"website\" data-node-id=\"53.2\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"58\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itv.com\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.itv.com\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"ITVX\" data-node-id=\"58.0.2\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ITVX<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"62\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"http:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage\" data-node-id=\"62.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"69\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don&#8217;t miss the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@InsideSoapYoutube\/videos\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@InsideSoapYoutube\/videos\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Soap Scoop podcast\" data-node-id=\"69.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Soap Scoop podcast<\/a> from Inside Soap magazine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3TGaakwXlPg\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3TGaakwXlPg\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The latest episode\" data-node-id=\"69.0.5\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The latest episode<\/a> delves into next week&#8217;s soap spoilers for EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale &#8211; and also includes a deep dive into what Weatherfield newcomer Jodie Ramsey is really up to!<br data-node-id=\"69.1\"\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Coronation Street spoilers follow, while this article contains discussion of grooming. Coronation Street star Lucas Hodgson-Wale has revealed&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":341371,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[131124,1105,156268,1107,93,61,60,1135,156267,131171,282],"class_list":["post-341370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-385f6f67-4adb-47c5-8713-26228f275b50","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-corries-will-star-nearly-played-another-character","tag-subsection-coronation-street","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=341370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341370\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/341371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=341370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=341370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=341370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}