Maggie Driscoll in Coronation Street(Image: ITV)

Coronation Street fans think they have worked out Maggie Driscoll’s ‘link’ to the Barlows after a secret from her past was finally revealed.

The new character was only officially introduced to viewers on-screen at the end of October, after it was confirmed that Father Ted icon Pauline McLynn was taking on the role of Eva Price’s ‘mother-in-law from hell’ as she returned to the cobbles after seven years.

Those who follow the ITV soap saw Eva presented the beloved boozer by her partner, Ben Driscoll, who surprised her by revealing she was the new landlady. They wasted no time in settling into the pub and welcoming all the regulars with a huge opening party.

But it was the arrival of Ben’s mum, Maggie, that ruffled feathers, as she delivered some shocking news for Eva – that she is, in fact, the landlady after Ben had to ask her for financial help. And it soon became clear that she doesn’t approve of her son’s choices when it comes to his love life.

However, it was during Monday’s (December 8) episode of Corrie that light was shed on Maggie’s own past. She was seen celebrating her 65th birthday with a party in the Rovers, but a series of flashbacks gave a glimpse at the matriarchal character’s true self.

As Maggie prepared for her birthday celebration in the Rovers, the tension between Maggie and Eva was palpable as they clashed over their family. It was then that we saw the first flashback of the episode, in which a young Maggie was seen receiving presents on her birthday and after she gave her sons Ben and Finlay a games console, her husband Alan questioned where she had found the money for it and the pair clashed.

In another scene, Maggie and Alan continued to butt heads with Maggie saying Ben’s dad should’ve encouraged him to do better at a rugby game he lost. As they argued, Maggie went to hit her husband, who held back her hand to stop her. Ben walked in on them, and assumed it was his dad hurting his mum.

A flashback revealed Maggie pushed her husband down the stairs(Image: ITV)

It was later that the final flashback scene showed a row between Maggie and her husband in which it was revealed that Maggie had previously had an affair. “Maybe that’s why he didn’t want you,” Alan fumed. “Saw you for the controlling, manipulative cow you really are!”

In a moment of rage, Maggie pushed her husband down the stairs, killing him, with the incident was witnessed by their youngest child, Finlay. Meanwhile, in present day, it appeared Ben was still very much led to believe his mum was nothing but an angel and raised a toast to her on her special day.

But as her killer secret was revealed, it seems Corrie fans were more focussed on the confirmation of an affair, as they quickly thought back to Maggie’s reaction to seeing something in Ken Barlow’s cabinet when Amy Barlow was helping her find a punch bowl at No.1 Coronation Street.

@THEJohnMcNee said: “So… Maggie had an affair with an unknown man around the time she became pregnant with Ben, which would have been some time in the 1980s. And she saw ‘something’ in the Barlow house that spooked her. Perhaps… THIS??? #Corrie,” alongside a picture of Deirdre Barlow – or then Langton – with Ray Langton and baby Tracy Barlow.”

@LikeATattoooooo replied: “That’s what I was thinking. Everyone assuming Ken as though he wasn’t literally in the show at the time. Him or, depending on how old Ben is meant to be, Peter. Maggie as a woman five years his senior having a child with teenage Peter would certainly add a layer to Will’s story.”

@LordGrac1 echoed: “Okay okay hear me out. Regarding Maggie’s affair. Ben’s father is Ray Langton. He and Tracy are half-siblings and the truth only emerges when Ben or Ollie have an affair/sleep with Tracy. Maggie has to come clean before it goes too far. #corrie.”

However, @4TheSlowBurn suggested: “Calling it now. Ben is a Barlow. That’s what Maggie realised when she popped into Number 1 with Amy at Halloween #Corrie.” @beckalou90 added: “The brother will arrive and tell Ben Maggie killed dad, only for Ben to find out he was infact a Baby Barlow #Corrie.”