The real age of Coronation Street actor Lucas Hodgson-Wale, who plays the character of Will Driscoll, has been officially confirmed by the soap's representatives as the controversial and harrowing grooming storyline continues to captivate viewers on ITV.
Will Driscoll's Troubling Storyline Unfolds
Lucas Hodgson-Wale joined the long-running Manchester-based soap last year when his character Will moved from Hull to Weatherfield with his family. This included his father Ben, portrayed by Aaron McCusker, grandmother Maggie, played by Pauline McLynn, and Ben's girlfriend Eva Price, whose return was marked by Catherine Tyldesley after a seven-year absence from the show.
The plot took a dark turn when it was revealed that Will was being groomed by his athletics coach, Megan, played by actress Beth Nixon. Megan subsequently moved to Weatherfield to continue their inappropriate relationship, securing a teaching position at Weatherfield High School.
Complicated Relationships and Secret Revelations
Megan has further complicated matters by striking up a romance with Daniel Osbourne, portrayed by Rob Mallard, which has caused significant annoyance and jealousy for Will. Their secret relationship has remained undetected by Will's family, who remain unaware of Megan's true intentions and manipulative behaviour.
This month, the storyline delivered a major bombshell when Megan revealed she was pregnant. Initially planning to terminate the pregnancy, Megan ultimately decided to keep the baby and informed Will that he was the biological father. Despite initial shock, Will expressed happiness about the news and commitment to being involved in the child's life.
Recent Dramatic Developments
In the episode aired on Tuesday, January 20th, Megan and Will visited A&E due to concerns about their unborn baby's wellbeing. Their hospital visit nearly resulted in discovery when Will's father Ben was rushed to the same hospital with chest pains, creating a tense situation for the secretive pair.
Later developments saw Megan reassuring Will that their baby was healthy, showing him an ultrasound photograph that delighted the young character. She then cautioned that they must maintain distance from each other temporarily while they accumulate sufficient funds to leave Weatherfield together.
The Actors Behind the Characters
Away from the dramatic plotlines, Coronation Street represents the first television role for actor Lucas Hodgson-Wale. While his character Will is written as 16 years old, a spokesperson for the soap has confirmed that the actor himself is actually 17 years old.
Meanwhile, actress Beth Nixon, who portrays the manipulative Megan, is 25 years old and will turn 26 later this year. Like her co-star, Coronation Street marks Nixon's first television role, though she previously auditioned twice for the soap before securing her current character.
The York-born actress revealed she initially auditioned for the part of Lauren Bolton and later for a character who was bullying Lauren at a mother and baby unit. Ultimately, actress Cait Fitton was cast as Lauren Bolton, making her debut in 2022 and remaining with the show since that time.
Coronation Street continues to air Monday through Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and the ITVX streaming platform, maintaining its position as one of Britain's most watched and discussed television dramas.
