This article contains spoilers for tonight’s Coronation Street, which has not yet aired on TV but is available to watch now on ITVX.
Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) made her highly anticipated return to Coronation Street in tonight’s episode, but things didn’t stay as rosy as they first appeared.
When she arrived on the cobbles with husband Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) in tow, she was over the moon to learn that he had bought the pub for her – or so he said.
It didn’t take long for the façade to crumble, as Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger) learnt that previous owner Carla Connor (Alison King) had yet to receive payment for the sale.
This, of course, left Eva feeling particularly put out, as Ben worked to scrape together the money to pay for the pub.
After unsuccessfully trying to persuade son Ollie Driscoll (Raphael Akuwudike) to invest, Ben turns to more drastic measures, unbeknown to Eva.
Fortunately, the iconic barmaid was too ecstatic to be at the helm of the Rovers to ask too many questions, and they soon got down to the business of celebrating.
However, it all came crashing down for Eva with the arrival of her mother-in-law Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn), who had a bombshell to drop.
In a classic soapy twist, Maggie revealed that she was moving in, as she was the new owner of the Rovers!
Ben looked sheepish as Maggie told Eva that it was her money that had paid for the place, and Eva was horrified.
Tensions are set to remain high between Maggie and Eva, actress Catherine Tyldesley revealed.
‘Early doors, I wouldn’t say [Eva]’s scared of [Maggie], she’s more irritated by her,’ Cath told Metro.
‘But as time goes on, Eva does start to see this side to her that’s like “Wow, okay, I’ve got your number,” and I think that element develops where she goes “Yeah, I am a little bit scared of her now and intimidated.”’
Gushing about her new co-star, Cath continued: ‘I’ve watched a lot of what Pauline’s done and when I’m watching what she’s doing on set, sometimes I’ll just look at the monitor and I know I am seeing a Corrie icon.
‘And the way the writers have structured things for our characters, it’s hilarious, it’s constant jibes.
‘But I think deep down, there’s a moment that we did not so long ago where Eva, in a roundabout way, says “If I wasn’t with Ben and I’d just met Maggie, I think we’d be mates.” There’s a lot of similarities.’
