BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Oct 27 2025 By Joel Harley Oct 27 2025 Monstrous EastEnders villain joins rival soap in mysterious new role The actor appeared on EastEnders in 2022 Ben Mitchell Coronation Street Share By Joel Harley Oct 27 2025 By Joel Harley Oct 27 2025 EastEnders star Aidan O’Callaghan, who played one of the soap’s most evil villains, is joining Coronation Street in a mysterious new role. Aidan O’Callaghan played Lewis Butler on the BBC soap between April and August 2022. During his short but impactful time in Walford, Lewis was responsible for raping Ben Mitchell – a horrific crime which almost got him killed by Ben and the Mitchells when they later sought revenge. Lewis left Walford that same year, never to return. But who is he playing in Coronation Street? Lewis worked as bar manager at The Albert (Credit: BBC) EastEnders star Aidan O’Callaghan joins Coronation Street According to Radio Times, Aidan – who also appeared in Emmerdale in 2018 – will play Weatherfield newcomer Alan in two upcoming episodes of the ITV soap. Alan’s introduction comes as a new family are set to take over managership of The Rovers Return. Led by returning character Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley), the Driscoll family will consist of new landlord Ben (Aaron McCusker) and his mum, Maggie (Pauline McLynn). Fireworks will no doubt ensue, but might Aidan O’Callaghan’s mystery role play a part in their arrival? Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers And what did happen to Lewis, anyway? The Mitchells kidnapped Lewis for what he’d done (Credit: BBC) What happened to Lewis in EastEnders? After arriving on Albert Square in April 2022, Lewis soon hit it off with Ben and Callum. Ben and Lewis shared a drunken kiss, although Ben – who was with Callum at the time – ultimately turned down Lewis’s advances. Lewis wouldn’t take no for an answer though, and raped Ben when he tried to leave. With Callum wrongly suspecting that Ben and Lewis had been having an affair, they, in turn, grew close – leading to Ben opening up to mum Kathy and best friend Jay. Horrified, Kathy fired Lewis from the job and ordered him out of town. Lewis complied, although not without stealing cash from the bar first. Lewis briefly returned in August, after the Mitchell clan learned about what he’d done. Bundled into the back of a car, Lewis managed to get free of his bonds and steal Phil’s gun. During the ensuing confrontation (in which Lewis copped a righteous battering from Phil), Ben wrangled back control of the gun – ultimately deciding to let him loose after he admitted to what he’d done. While Lewis never faced justice for what he’d done to Ben, he was arrested the following year, for raping another man. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Oct 27 2025 By Joel Harley Oct 27 2025
