Coronation Street teases an unlikely target for Maggie Driscoll tonight, as she watches her son Ben hanging out with Steve McDonald. The menacing matriarch is clearly unhappy with the new friendship, but does Steve have to watch his back?

Last night’s episode saw Steve building a rapport with the Rovers landlord – much to Tim Metcalfe’s annoyance and jealousy. The pair bonded over their Irish heritage, with Steve later taking Ben’s side in a discussion about sports.

After warning Ben that he would always be Steve’s best mate, a disgruntled Tim left the pub. But it turns out it’s not just the cabbie who is wary of the new friendship.

In today’s episode, Steve and Ben play a game of darts in the Rovers, with Steve commentating in an Irish accent. While the two men joke around together, Maggie keeps a close eye on them from behind the bar.

Later, Maggie approaches the pair as they share a drink and makes it clear that Steve has outstayed his welcome.

“It’s my day off, so I’m just like, you know, kicking back, chilling, relaxing,” he explains, asking for another pint.

After chuckling about Tim’s jealousy, Steve reveals that his friend has a cold and can’t go to the football match tomorrow. He invites Ben to take his place, while Maggie glares at them from afar.

Is Maggie simply being overprotective, or could there be another reason for her obvious disdain? Well, some fans think they’ve got it figured out, believing Ben and Steve could actually be related as it was previously confirmed that Maggie had an affair while married.

“Did the writer just plant the seed of Ben and Steve being brothers with the mention of Irish blood?” asked one fan on Reddit, while another added: “I’m fully convinced now that Jim McDonald will be revealed to be Ben’s real dad, making Ben and Steve brothers.”

Meanwhile, one viewer predicted the connection months ago and shared their theory on Twitter/X: “Calling it now – Maggie Driscoll had an affair with Jim McDonald in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, and Jim is secretly the father of Ben’s brother, Finlay… Or maybe father of Ben. Steve McDonald has a secret half-brother.”

In next week’s episodes, Steve learns that his estranged dad Jim doesn’t have long to live and decides to visit him while he still can. However, when he is unable to start his car, reluctant Steve considers it a sign from the universe.

Later, Ben manages to come to his neighbour’s rescue. But could his act of kindness lead to a life-changing discovery?