Coronation Street bosses have confirmed that actress Catherine Tyldesley will be reprising her role as Eva Price on the ITV soap, but she is not coming back on her own

Catherine Tyldesley will be joined by Aaron McCusker as Eva’s new partner and Pauline McLynn as her mother-in-law when she returns to Weatherfield to run the Rovers Return Inn 

Coronation Street bosses have confirmed that Catherine Tyldesley will be reprising her role as Eva Price on the ITV soap. The actress, 41, left the cobbles in 2018 but is making a comeback which will see her take on the coveted position of Rovers Return landlady.

Eva left the Street with daughter Susie, who at the time was four months old. But when she heads back to Weatherfield later this year, she arrives with new partner Ben Driscoll, played by Aaron McCusker, who is best known for his role as Jamie Maguire in Shameless and also starred in Bohemian Rhapsody as Freddie Mercury’s boyfriend.

It comes as reports emerged that the new owner of The Rovers had been revealed amid her return. Now the soap has confirmed the theory by fans, announcing Eva will be back in the pub once owned by her mother.

When Eva first appeared on Coronation Street, she was joined by her mother Stella Price (Michelle Collins) and her grandmother Gloria (Sue Johnston) arrived the following year (Image: PA)

What’s more, Pauline McLynn, who made her name as Mrs Doyle in the classic sitcom Father Ted, has signed on to her interfering mother-in-law Maggie Driscoll and will be seen alongside Eva and Ben when they take over the nation’s most famous pub in October. With them will be Susie, and Ben’s two sons.

Former Emmerdale boss Kate Brooks, who took the reins of Coronation Street earlier this year, 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.”

Reports surrounding the return of Leanne Battersby’s sister emerged earlier this year, but then nothing was announced until now. It’s thought that the move has come about after EastEnders bosses revealed that Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) will be taking over the Queen Victoria pub on Coronation Street’s BBC rival.

Catherine Tyldesley initially starred as barmaid Eva Price from 2011 until 2018(Image: Daily Mirror)

A source told The Sun: “Corrie bosses were never going to take EastEnders shrewd decision to reinstate Kat and Alfie at the Vic lying down. So they took their time looking for the perfect actor to play her husband to Eva as she makes her return to Corrie as the new boss of the Rovers.”

The insider added that Corrie bosses knew they had found the ‘perfect’ actor as soon as the Irish-born star walked into the room. They added of his character: “Aaron’s character is also someone not to be messed with, and the locals are going to be in for a shock if they think they can take advantage of his good nature and that cheeky Irish charm.

“It’s the start of an exciting new chapter in the pub’s history.” Following her time on the cobbles, Catherine competed on Strictly Come Dancing. She has also starred in The Good Ship Murder and earlier this year appeared opposite Siobhan Finneran in an episode of the ITV drama Protection.

She was also set to star Bonnie and Clyde: The Musical last year but it was cancelled and she went viral over a social media scandal known as Cakegate in late 2023.