In a major shake-up for British soap operas, actor Aidan O'Callaghan has officially confirmed he is trading the gritty streets of Walford for the famous cobbles of Coronation Street.
The announcement, made on November 7, 2025, reveals that the star, who terrified EastEnders viewers as one of the show's most despicable villains, is set for a new role in the iconic Manchester-based serial.
From EastEnders Villain to Corrie Guest
Aidan O'Callaghan is best known to soap fans for his chilling portrayal of Lewis in EastEnders. His character committed a horrific rape against Ben Mitchell, played by Max Bowden, and subsequently subjected him to a traumatic campaign of gaslighting and threats. This storyline plunged Ben into a profound darkness, with Lewis eventually facing arrest after Ben found the courage to come forward.
Now, O'Callaghan is preparing to appear in Coronation Street in a guest role. He will be playing a character named Alan, who, despite only featuring in a single episode, is poised to leave a significant mark on the Driscoll family's narrative.
Alan's Role in the Driscoll Family Drama
The Driscolls are currently at the heart of a major storyline. Eva Price, portrayed by Catherine Tyldesley, has recently made a comeback to take over the Rovers Return, only for Pauline McLynn's character, Maggie, to reveal she provided the funds and therefore owns the pub. This has left Eva's partner, Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker), trapped in the middle of a tense conflict between his girlfriend and his mother.
The family's complex past is scheduled to be explored in a special flashback episode that will focus on Ben's younger years with his brother. It is in these scenes that Aidan O'Callaghan, as Alan, will make his entrance.
A source speaking to The Sun newspaper provided more detail, stating: 'He is in one episode in flashback scenes, where we find out some of the family history from way back when Ben and his brother were children. He's just a guest artist but it's a really unique episode.'
Completing the Soap Set
Ahead of his appearance, O'Callaghan took to his official Instagram account to share a couple of pictures of himself standing outside the Rovers Return set. He playfully captioned the post with the words: 'Who dis?'
This new role means Aidan O'Callaghan will have now appeared in all three of the UK's main television soaps. He previously had a guest part in Emmerdale several years ago, where his character flirted with Robert Sugden, who nearly gave in to the temptation before stopping himself.
Meanwhile, actress Pauline McLynn has shared her excitement about joining the Coronation Street cast as Maggie. She expressed her bewilderment at landing the part, saying she doesn't operate with a list of goals or much ambition, but simply moves from one project to the next. She described the offer as 'huge' and expressed her delight at playing one of the 'stalwart sorts of women' who have made the series so brilliant.
