Coronation Street's Megan Walsh appears confident she will walk free from court despite months of grooming and abusing teenager Will Driscoll. The teacher, played by Beth Nixon, is at the centre of a controversial storyline that has seen her illicit relationship with Will exposed, leading to a trial and potential prison time.
Will Driscoll finally tells the truth in court
Earlier in the week, Will initially lied on the witness stand, claiming there was no relationship to protect Megan. However, after Megan's former sports coach told the court that Will had considered suicide due to his family's treatment, Will changed his story. In Thursday's episode, he stated: "I don't have to protect her any more. And, yeah, I did lie. But what she's done is so, so much worse. She groomed me and abused me, and no matter what you or anyone else in this court has to say, that is the truth. She's never gonna change. And someone needs to stop her before she does it again."
Megan threatens Will after court appearance
Later that evening, Megan cornered Will at the precinct and pushed him against a wall, saying: "Am I supposed to be intimidated? Think you're a big man now? Is that what this is? Yeah, well, you're not. You're a pathetic little boy. Just like the first time I met you. That's the only reason I gave you the time of day, because I felt sorry for you. Well, not any more. After what you did today, you are finished. There is no way that that jury is gonna find me guilty so if I were you... I'd watch your back." She then warned him to "enjoy" his run, strutting off confident she will avoid prison.
Fans react to potential injustice
Viewers took to social media to express frustration that another soap villain might escape justice, especially after Theo Silverton was killed off after abusing his partner Todd, and Emmerdale's Dr Todd was killed after raping Charity Dingle. One fan wrote on X: "Megan can’t get away with this, another criminal can’t escape justice. She is such a cocky b**** and her mum is stupid!" Another said: "I swear to god if megan isn't found guilty I will be very P*****d, soaps are always getting justice wrong, and on this occasion it seriously needs to get it right." A third viewer criticized the storyline for allowing Megan to confront Will on the street after his testimony: "So after all the months of the Will/Meghan storyline we see a few minutes of Will’s evidence and then Megan is out and about terrorising him. Beggars belief how badly this has been done. Shameful."
Praise for actress Beth Nixon
Despite the controversy, many praised Beth Nixon, who made her television debut as Megan. One fan wrote: "Oh wow Megan is so wicked. Beth Nixon is just phenomenal!" Another added: "for whatever it’s worth, it SEEMS like this trial is Megan’s swan song. While I will most definitely not miss Megan, I’ll absolutely miss seeing Beth Nixon on my screen. She did a great job portraying such a vile character." Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV.
