Monday’s episode of Coronation Street saw Carla reveal she’d sold the Rovers to ‘Ben’ – but who exactly is he?
Carla Connor became the owner of the pub by default in 2024, after money stolen from the factory was used to purchase it.
But Carla never really wanted the pub and has finally sold up. As she confirmed to Lisa that ‘Ben’ is the new owner, here’s everything we know about him and his family.
Carla sells the pub to Ben
Carla came into possession of the pub last year by accident. Daisy Midgeley had previously stolen money from Stephen Reid in order to buy the pub.
However, Stephen had stolen the money from Underworld shortly before he was killed, making it Carla’s money.
Daisy and Jenny Connor initially kept the theft a secret, but Daisy was unable to stop splashing the cash and showing off her purchases. It wasn’t long before the truth was revealed and Carla declared herself the owner of the Rovers.
Carla was a reluctant owner and has now finally got rid of it. Speaking to her partner Lisa in Monday’s episode, an excited Carla said: “Guess what? I have managed to sell the Rovers, finally!”
Lisa offered her congratulations and asked who bought it, with Carla simply revealing: “Bloke called Ben.” Lisa asked for more information, telling her partner: “Everyone’s gonna be pecking your head, you know, desperate to know the goss.”
Who is Ben in Coronation Street?
The Ben in question is Ben Driscoll, who will be played by Shameless and Hope Street star Aaron McCusker.
Ben will not be arriving on the Cobbles alone as he’ll be joined by his mother Maggie, played by Pauline McLynn, and his partner Eva Price – the returning Catherine Tyldesley.
Viewers will remember Eva previously worked behind the bar of the Rovers. She left the Street in 2018 for a new life in France with daughter Susie, after Susie’s dad Aidan took his own life.
Along with Susie, Ben also has two sons of his own, who’ll be joining the clan at the Rovers this autumn.
The Price-Driscolls will arrive with “a suitcase full of secrets”, and Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks said: “We are beyond thrilled that Eva is returning as the landlady of the Rovers, with her new blended family in tow.
“The Driscolls do not arrive quietly, so expect big drama, explosive secrets and raucous knees-ups galore. Strap yourselves in, it’s going to be an exciting and eventful ride.”
Details about Ben and Eva’s arrival
Speaking at a press event recently, Brooks confirmed more details about the new Rovers owners. She explained: “For me the pub works really well if there’s a big family at the heart of it – a family that really loves each other. These guys love each other with a real fierceness and a real protectiveness.”
She added: “You watch their debut episode and you just care about every single member of that family straight away. You fall in love with them. Pauline, Aaron and Cath are just a breath of fresh air. They’ve come in, they’ve hit the ground running.”
Brooks hinted at clashes between Eva and her mother-in-law, saying: “Ben and Eva adore each other. But you’ve got Maggie, who is this mother-in-law who clashes with Eva on a daily-slash-hourly basis! It’s really funny – there’s some really funny stuff. They’re gifted comedic actors as well, so there’s a real energy and buzz in the place.”
She has also shared that the Driscolls will be at the heart of things over Christmas, explaining: “There’s loads going on at Christmas. Christmas Day is a family affair, and the Driscolls are very much at the heart of it.
“It’s a proper pub Christmas Day. It’s very community-based, very lively and there’s loads going on. Secrets are exposed and what not so it’s a real feel-good episode with a lot of drama thrown into the mix.”
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Coronation Street usually airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV.
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