Love comes in all shapes and sizes on Coronation Street, but surely, no viewer ever predicted that they’d witness the birth of #Braggie.
That’s right. I’m talking about a potential romance between the acid-tongued Queen of the Rovers’ Return Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) and delightfully dorky Headmaster turned Kabin proprietor Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) )
Admittedly, they don’t seem the most likely pair on paper. Brian is a big cuddly teddy bear, while Maggie is more like a praying mantis – literally, as she killed her last husband by pushing him down the stairs.
To be fair to Maggie, her late husband Alan wouldn’t shut up about the fact that Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) wasn’t really his son, but the result of her fling with Coronation Street legend Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson).
Given her history with Weatherfield’s iconic poster boy for toxic masculinity and moustaches, one can’t help but feel that Brian with his interests in the local community and UFO spotting would be something of a step down. His many quirks might be likely to get on Maggie’s nerves, and she’s got one vicious temper.
Viewers saw first hand how far Maggie was prepared to go to protect her family when she attacked and threatened the life of Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon), the twisted paedophile who groomed her grandson Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale).
By contrast, the most shocking thing Brian’s done recently is attend a craft ale promotion at the Rovers.
Hey, they say opposites attract!
Said craft ale event is how Maggie and Brian bonded. There’s been a couple of warm moments between the pair recently where they shared fond memories of their favourite boiled sweets and favourite crisps. Viewers couldn’t help detect a little spark between their pair.
Be careful what you wish for.
This week, Ben and Ollie Driscoll (Raphael Akuwudike) had an awkward moment when they saw a post-coital coming down the stairs with a dishevelled Maggie.
But not as awkward as for poor Bryan, who walked in on Maggie giving Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) a less-than-stellar review of his sexual exploits. This led to potentially one of the most devastating yet hilarious Metro headlines in recent memory.
Maggie down in the dumps in Coronation Street after disappointing sex session with neighbour.
Ouch.
Maggie might be disappointed, but the fans certainly aren’t. Corrie lovers galore took to Instagram to ship the Cobbles’ newest and most unlikely power couple.
‘Maggie & Brian I ship it, they can be Braggie’ commented one user, totally stealing my shipping name idea.
‘Maggie looks like a new woman.’ another fan noted.
However, they weren’t all rave reviews. One Corrie fan seemed to think that Brian walking in on Maggie criticising his sexual prowess might be the best think that ever happened to him.
‘Tbh she’s done Brian a favour, She doesn’t deserve Brian. Brian’s a nice decent bloke, she isn’t!
But one fan pointed out that the pairing might soften Maggie and bring out her kinder side.
‘I hope they develop Brian and Maggie’s situationship’ wrote another. ‘Maybe Maggie will soften and tone down her vile cruelty towards Eva’
Will Braggie stand the test of time? Will Brian find romance with the sharp-tongued landlady…or will he be her next victim. I’m excited!