Coronation Street fans have predicted that a newcomer to the soap has a connection to the legendary Deirdre Barlow, or perhaps Jim McDonald after a cryptic scene
16:32, 03 Nov 2025Updated 19:46, 03 Nov 2025
Coronation Street fans ‘rumble’ newcomer’s connection to soap legend after telling scene(Image: ITV)
Coronation Street fans have predicted that a newcomer to the soap has a ‘connection’ to a legendary character. Fans of the long-running programme will know that Maggie Driscoll, played by former Father Ted star Pauline McLynn, has just arrived as the mother-in-law of Eva Price and purchased the Rovers.
Having already made herself known on a recent episode, she set about getting things together for a Halloween party at the pub, taking charge much to the annoyance of Eva. At one point, she popped round to the Barlows at number one so she could borrow a punch bowl, dismayed that the new landlady didn’t already have one.
Once there, Amy Barlow was looking for the punch bowl Maggie took it upon herself to start looking in the cupboards as well. Just as Ken Barlow (William Roache) walked in, Maggie, who appeared to have spotted something odd in the living room, promptly introduced herself as the new owner of the Rovers, and shook Ken’s hand.
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Newcomer Maggie met Ken Barlow for what appeared to be the first time, but fans weren’t so sure (Image: ITV)
She then invited him to the party, but he declined as he had a book to read that evening. Just before she left the house, Ken said it was ‘lovely to meet’ Maggie but gave a somewhat telling look which could imply that he knew her from somewhere.
Fans have now taken to Reddit to discuss the mysterious scene, with some predicting that it was something to do with Ken’s late wife Deirdre. The matriarch, who appeared on the programme from from 1972 until 2014, passed away off-screen after Anne Kirkbride died whilst having time off from the soap.
One fan wrote: “Something to do with Deidre,” and, in agreement, another replied: “Yeah I was thinking this. Probably used to know her. ” Deirdre was the daughter of Blanche Hunt (Maggie Jones), and was initially married to Ray Langton, with whom she had daughter Tracy (Kate Ford), so another theory is that there could be some sort of link there.
Another said: “It would be wonderful if there was a connection there with Deirdre. But why wouldn’t she say? Could she be a Hunt or Langton? Or maybe the daughter of Blanche’s sister. I love these kind of mysteries.”
Another viewer came up with the theory that Maggie’s son Ben is actually Ken’s long-lost grandson, as they wrote: “My theory is she saw a picture of Peter and he will be revealed to be Ben’s dad, but another fan disagreed as they wrote: “Surely not??? Chris Gascoyne is 57 and Aaron McCusker is 46. I get that soaps change ages all the time and make people portray younger/older but I think that would genuinely be such a stretch.”
Fans think Maggie might have something to do with Ken’s late wife Deirdre (Image: Daily Post Wales)
A final theory picked up on the Irish connection, and some believe that Ben could turn out to be the long-lost son of Jim McDonald (Charlie Lawson), thereby making him the brother of Steve McDonald, who was previously married into the Barlows. Whatever the case may be, actress Pauline has promised there is plenty ahead for the new family on the street.
Speaking to The Mirror, she teased a new storyline as well as a dramatic Christmas, hinting her character would spark uproar with some of her “bad behaviour”. She shared: “She’s fiercely loyal and protective of her family.
“There’ll be things happening over Christmas where you think, ‘Oh come on, that’s very bad behaviour at the very least!’ My family will probably say, ‘Is that your mother Sheila you’re playing there?’ The older she got, the more she’d push boundaries – and I’ve got a bit of that in me too.
“Maggie likes to throw in the most outrageous things just to see how far she can go. But often that line has been long passed! And she’ll say, ‘What’s the fuss about? You’re a bit touchy, aren’t you?’ If you’re a certain age you might feel you have a certain licence to act badly, you know? Because you’re the Mammy.
“And, of course, she has that thing she can hold over all the family, and she uses that like a blunt instrument: ‘You’re only here because of my money. I own the place – you just work in it.’ Which is a hard one for anyone to get over.”
On what’s ahead, she added: “It’s great to be the bearer of such good news – something great coming down the line in a great series. It’s a very happy time.”
Coronation Street runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1. Episodes can also be viewed on ITVX. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.