Todd stages a great escape from Theo in Coronation Street but horror looms
Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) is in for a wretched Christmas on Coronation Street as he’s locked in an abusive relationship with Theo Silverton (James Cartwright). We’ve watched Theo’s behaviour turn from jealous and controlling to outright violence in recent weeks, and Todd has been looking increasingly worn down and defeated.
But there are signs that he may be about to rebel.
‘We’re starting to see the first seeds of fight from Todd,’ Gareth Pierce told us.
‘Todd is starting to sense real danger, rather than a fixable situation, but he’s now so far in he’s trapped. There is also shame locking him in; we are seeing moments (for instance at A&E after the mirror incident) where he might decide to confide in someone, but he’s too ashamed of the situation he’s found himself in and the extent to which he’s been duped.’
There’s some respite from the relentless abuse on Christmas Day because Theo has invited George (Tony Maudsley), Christina (Amy Robbins), Summer (Harriet Bibby) and Glenda (Jodie Prenger) to lunch. Summer surprises Todd with tickets to an Andrew Scott retrospective, because Todd has always fancied him (very sensibly).
Of course hearing that Todd fancies anybody, even if it is a film star he’s unlikely ever to meet, is enough to make Theo jealous. While the others are playing charades, Theo is working himself up into a rage and eventually smashes a wine glass on the floor.
He retaliates on Boxing Day in his own fashion, by booking a mini break for him and Todd and presenting it as a nice thing, when actually it’s on the same day as the Andrew Scott event just to stop Todd going to that.
Jealousy rears its head again at George and Glenda’s party at the bistro. Nick (Ben Price) is chatting to Todd, and Sarah (Tina O’Brien) casually mentions to Theo that Nick was Todd’s first crush. In a bid to get Todd away, Theo offers to go and pick up a cake for the party and takes Todd with him. As soon as he gets him on his own he lays into him for ‘flirting’ with Nick. When Todd tries to protest, Theo gets in the car and drives off without him.
By the time New Year’s Eve arrives, Todd is behaving very nervously and Summer picks up on his mood. Meanwhile Billy is worried about the danger signs he’s seen in the way Theo is with Todd, and he quizzes Alya (Sair Khan) about the abuse Yasmeen (Shelley King) suffered at the hands of Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew), saying he’s asking for a parishioner.
The following day, Theo has got wind of Billy’s questioning and asks him about it in a pointed manner that leaves Billy suspecting Theo knows he’s on to him.
It’s the final straw for Todd, and when Theo’s phone rings, Todd grabs the opportunity and flees from the flat.
When he gets a message from Theo saying he can’t live without him, Todd immediately starts to doubt his own actions and, reluctantly, goes back to him.
At dinner the next day, a nervous Todd spills orange juice down his shirt and Theo orders him to go and rinse it. Billy follows Todd and is horrified to see his friend rinsing his shirt in a basin – revealing his upper body entirely covered in bruises.
Can Billy help Todd get out of his abusive relationship before it’s too late?