The ITV soap character’s real identity has been revealed for the first time in a major family twist as Eva Price returns to the cobbles
21:00, 19 Oct 2025Updated 21:23, 19 Oct 2025
Ollie in Coronation Street(Image: ITV)
Coronation Street has unveiled newcomer Ollie’s real identity first the first time in a major family twist as Eva Price returns to the cobbles.
It was first revealed back in August that Catherine Tyldesley would be reprising her role in the ITV soap after seven years away, with her having first taken on the role from 2011 to 2018.
She will return as the new Rovers Return landlady, following Jenny Connor’s departure after Carla Connor took what was rightfully hers back, and she’ll be bringing her partner and their blended family with her.
Cath will be joined by two exciting new additions to the cast – acclaimed actors Aaron McCusker and Pauline McLynn, who will play Eva’s partner Ben Driscoll and his interfering mother, Maggie.
Also joining the cast will be Ben’s two sons and Eva’s daughter, Susie, and it was teased at the time that the Price-Driscoll family will be arriving with a bang and a suitcase full of secrets.
And ahead of their debut, Corrie has shared the first picture of the Driscoll-Price clan for the frist time as they take over the Street’s beloved boozer – which includes Ollie.
He was introduced earlier this year as Dee-Dee Bailey’s new love interest, which comes after a torrid time for the solicitor. He was first seen back in August when Dee-Dee met him at the Rovers Return.
The pair quickly hit it off, but Dee-Dee wasn’t interested in getting into another relationship after what she has been through. She has, however, since changed her mind and Ollie’s behaviour has come across as suspicious to some.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Manchester Evening News and other press following a special screening of Eva’s big return episode, Corrie producer Kate Brooks said: “The episode made me really emotional watching it for the first time. It’s just a place [the Rovers] you really want to be with the vibe and the energy and the love that’s in the pub now.
FROM ITV
STRICT EMBARGO – No Use Before 2100hrs Sunday 19th October 2025
Coronation Street – Week 44
Monday 27th – Friday 31st October 2025
Left to right: Will Driscoll [LUCAS HODGSON-WALE], Maggie Driscoll [PAULINE MCLYNN], Ben Driscoll [AARON MCCUSKER] , Eva Price [CATHERINE TYLDESLEY], Susie Price [AURORA BRADSHAW] and Ollie Driscoll [RAPHAEL AKUWUDIKE]
Picture contact – David.crook@itv.com
Photographer – Danielle Baguley
This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
“For me, if I’m going to have a lock-in anywhere, it’ll be the Rovers and I’ll be there until 5am because there’s just so much warmth and joy and happiness and love in that room with all those people.
“I just think, for me, the pub works really well when there’s a big family at the heart of it that loves each other, and these guys love each other with a real fierceness and a real protectiveness. Obviously, there’s niggles and there’s dramas that happen to every family, but at the heart of it they have a real loyalty to each other.”
And Catherine couldn’t be happier with the new additions to her on-screen family. She told us: “Kate told me that Eva and Ben had been together for a while and that they were really loved-up.
“[She said] she wanted a powerhouse couple at the front of the pub that genuinely just thought the world of each other. I thought that was really refreshing because I thought, ‘Are they going to bring us in and split us up?’
“But I adore Aaron who plays Ben. He’s a real stellar actor. I’ve watched most of what he’s done before and our paths have almost several times and so I think we were destined to work together and he’s just been fantastic. Then to bring Pauline as well, I feel incredible lucky. It’s lovely.”
And Corrie fans will still see her relationship with her sisters, Leanne and Toyah Battersby, play out on-screen. Speaking of reuniting with Jane Danson and Georgia Taylor, Cath said: “So chuffed. They were onto me straight away on our sister chat. We kept it and I’ve pretty much stayed in contact with everybody so it’s extra lovely to come back to.
“That dynamic – the three witches reunited – is great. It’s strong women again and when they’re together, it’s even stronger. They’re a real force to be reckoned with.
“They’ve got each other’s backs. It’s such a joy to play as an actress and the girls are just a dream. We’ve stayed in touch and I felt really welcomed by everyone, especially my sisters. So it’s great they’ve got lots of stuff coming up together as well.”
