While the two previous storylines were still generating buzz, the Corrie fandom added fuel to the fire with a rapidly spreading theory: Ben Driscoll might not be the biological son of the man he calls his father, and the person most frequently mentioned as his biological father is Peter Barlow.

Just hearing about it smells explosive, because Peter’s return during this chaotic period would be a tsunami-like comeback.

The crux of the theory lies in the details of Maggie Driscoll’s past being revealed.

Maggie is the kind of character who grows colder the more you look at her: outwardly she may seem normal, but inside she’s a treasure trove of secrets.

When her past is brought up, the story revolves around Maggie killing her husband, Alan, and there are indications that during her pregnancy with Ben, Maggie wasn’t as “innocent” as she claimed. If Maggie had an affair, then Alan might just be a figurehead in Ben’s life, not the blood donor.

And as the fandom started connecting, the name Peter appeared no accident. Peter is the type of man Corrie often uses to create bloodline twists: a complicated history, easily involved in ambiguous relationships, and capable of leaving and then returning at the right time.

If Ben is truly Peter’s son, then Ben isn’t just “a rebellious new character,” but a bomb placed in the middle of the Barlow family. Just imagining it reveals a chain reaction: Ken’s family honor will be directly attacked, Tracy won’t stand idly by because the Barlow family is dragged into the scandal, and those connected to Peter will have to confront their past.