Coronation Street fans were treated to a brand new family behind the bar in the Rovers last night, and they certainly kicked things off the way they mean to go on!
With Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) at the helm, we knew we were in for a fun time, especially when she decided to host a lock-in to celebrate her first night in charge.
The Rovers seemed busier than it has in months and the community feel was alive and well – something that didn’t go unnoticed by Metro readers.
‘Best episode for a long time. The Rovers is packed all of a sudden,’ Lynne Wilson wrote on Facebook.
Sharon Williams agreed, writing: ‘Best episode in ages … felt new and fresh.’
‘Loved it. Plus, the actress playing Susie is a joy to watch. Like a mini Eva,’ Sachin Cahal added.
Over on Twitter/X, it was much the same story, with fans praising the show for the episode, which also saw Leanne and Toyah Battersby (Jane Danson and Georgia Taylor) finally set their differences aside.
‘Best episode for ages,’ Martina Kiernon said on the social media site in reply to a post from the official Coronation Street account.
‘What a brilliant episode,’ Lorraine agreed, while Matthew penned: ‘Good episode now keep this up!’
There was a lot of love for the Driscolls, whose takeover of the iconic boozer was anything but smooth.
From Eva locking everyone out for a tete-a-tete with her sisters to Ben (Aaron McCusker) frantically trying to find the cash to confirm the sale, it was about as chaotic as it could get!
Add to that the surprise reveal that Dee-Dee Bailey’s (Channique Sterling-Brown) boyfriend Ollie (Raphael Akuwudike) was also a Driscoll, and the bombshell that Eva’s mother-in-law Maggie (Pauline McLynn) was the true owner of the pub, it had all the ingredients for an excellent soap episode.
‘That was the best episode in years! Great cast, great writing. More of that old style balance of comedy and drama please,’ Lew Stringer enthused.
Other fans also praised the episode for taking Corrie back to its roots, with some nice ensemble scenes scattered throughout.
‘Amazing episode, such classic Corrie. Loved it. Best decision ever,’ Nat wrote of the move to bring back Eva, while Casper_TFG added: ‘Good episode tonight. I really liked the fact that all characters seemed connected, we need more group scenes.’
It seems that the classic Corrie feel is set to continue, with Eva set to be involved in an on-going feud with Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon), which producer Kate Brooks compared to the relationship between show legends Eileen Grimshaw and Gail Platt.
Maria was the first cobbles resident to spot Eva back on home turf, and it was safe to say that she was not happy about it.
Viewers will recall that infamous showdown at Eva’s wedding to Aidan Connor, which saw Maria and Eva end up fighting in a fountain.
‘I was so thrilled when Kate said we’d be playing that out,’ actress Catherine Tyldesley enthused. ‘With Maria, Kate referenced Gail and Eileen, which I just absolutely loved.
‘She is a dog with a bone, she will lock onto things in the same way that Maria does.
‘And Eva really loved Aidan, she really loved him. Although she’s moved on and she loves Ben, she finds that very hard to let go of and she loves a grudge, so I think that’s going to be a long-term thing. Don’t let them near any water features, I think!’
