The star is set to be the head of a new family running the Rovers Return alongside a very familiar face
  • Carl Greenwood , Soaps Editor
  • Published: 21:00, 5 Aug 2025
  • Updated: 22:54, 5 Aug 2025

COMEDY legend and EastEnders star Pauline McLynn is joining Coronation Street - as the mother in law from hell.

The sitcom icon is best known for her role as the scene-stealing Mrs Doyle in Channel 4 comedy Father Ted.

Pauline McLynn, Aaron McCusker, and Catherine Tyldesley at The Rovers Return. Pauline will arrive on the cobbles with co-stars Aaron McCusker and Catherine Tyldesley in the autumn Pauline McLynn as Mrs. Doyle in Father Ted. The actress is best known for playing Mrs Doyle the housekeeper in Father Ted A man in a leather jacket nervously looks away from an angry woman at a doorway. She played Yvonne Cotton in rival soap EastEnders for two years Credit: Handout

But now Pauline will be joining the famous cobbles as part of a new family coming into the show later this year.

It's part of a huge soap pub wars style fightback for the ITV soap against rival EastEnders after Corrie was left bloodied at the Soap Awards.

She will make her debut as Maggie Driscoll alongside on-screen son Aaron McCuskers Ben as they both arrive with his partner Eva Price, played by returning star Catherine Tyldesley.

And more than that - Evas daughter Suzie will be arriving too - and Bens two sons - packing the Rovers full to the brim with the new family.

It will be in contrast to Walford's Queen Vic that's relied on Kat and Alfie Moon buying the pub to run after Linda Carter sold up.

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. 

To have actors of Catherine, Aaron and Pauline's considerable calibre at the beating heart of this family is absolutely wonderful, and we can't wait for you to get to know and fall in love with them as much as we have already done. 

Strap yourselves in, it's going to be an exciting and eventful ride.

Pauline also appeared in rival soap EastEnders as Yvonne Cotton. 

Catherine Tyldesley stars as Coronation Street favourite Eva Price

She stayed in the BBC soap for two years spanning 2014 and 2015 playing the mother of Charlie Cotton.

The role on the cobbles will see her reunite with her Shameless co-star Aaron for the first time since 2011 when they both appeared in the Channel 4 comedy.

The new family are filming now and will appear on screen in the autumn.