Coronation Street viewers have quickly warmed to Maggie Driscoll since her arrival on the cobbles. The outspoken pub landlady has already stirred plenty of drama in Weatherfield, but fans are equally curious about the woman behind the role.
While Maggie’s storyline is filled with secrets and shocking revelations, Pauline McLynn’s real life tells a very different story, especially when it comes to her long and fascinating marriage.
Pauline McLynn’s Character Brought Drama To Weatherfield
Pauline McLynn joined Coronation Street last year as Maggie Driscoll, arriving in Weatherfield with her family.
She appeared on the cobbles alongside her son Ben, his girlfriend Eva Price, and her grandchildren Will and Ollie. Maggie wasted no time making an impression. Her strong personality quickly turned heads, but viewers soon realised she was hiding dark secrets from her past.
One of the most shocking revelations involved the death of Ben’s father during Ben’s childhood. After an argument, Maggie pushed him down the stairs, a moment that led to his death and continues to haunt her story.
Away from Coronation Street, Pauline McLynn is already a familiar face to many viewers. She is best known for playing Mrs Doyle in the comedy series Father Ted and has also appeared in shows such as EastEnders and Shameless.
How Pauline McLynn Met Her Husband Richard Cook
Off screen, Pauline has been happily married for decades to theatrical agent Richard Cook. The couple tied the knot in 1997 and first met at a party after noticing each other several times before.
Pauline once shared that she had seen Richard from a distance many times because his sister had been her agent in Dublin for years. Their real connection happened when Pauline opened an art exhibition that Richard attended.
She remembered asking him directly if he was seeing anyone at the time. When he replied that he was not, she suggested they should give a relationship a try from that moment. Pauline also joked that Richard was not originally her usual type because she never really went for blondes. These days, she says he looks even better after embracing his bald look.
The Secret Behind Their Long Marriage
Pauline and Richard do not have children, something she has previously linked to her passion for environmental activism. She once explained that being child free allows her to dedicate more time to helping causes and campaigning.
The actress has also shared what she believes is the real secret to their lasting marriage. According to Pauline, the couple have not spent every day together because their work often keeps them apart.
She joked that if all the days they had actually spent together were added up, it might feel like they had only been married for about five years. Pauline said they never lived together before getting married and still spend time apart because of work.
Despite that unusual arrangement, she believes it works perfectly for them. During the first lockdown, they stayed together in Dublin and got along brilliantly. While many couples struggled during that time, Pauline said they never annoyed each other, and the experience even felt like a honeymoon. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.