ITV Coronation Street fans ‘want to punch telly’ amid ‘harrowing’ abuse storyline

Coronation Street fans are “wanting to punch” their TV sets after the latest scenes aired featuring Todd Grimshaw, who is at the centre of a “harrowing” abuse plot

Coronation Street fans have been left “wanting to punch” their television sets after the latest scenes in a “harrowing” abuse storyline aired on Friday night. Todd Grimshaw, who has been played by Gareth Pierce since 2020, is currently in a relationship with Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) and has become the victim of coercive control at the hands of his boyfriend.

Most of the time, the abuse has been psychological, with Theo cutting Todd off from his friends and making off-hand comments about his body. Theo has become obsessed with trying to keep Todd in shape, and in the latest instalment of the world’s longest-running TV soap, the builder put a full-length mirror in the living room so they could keep track of his progress.

Determined to keep Theo happy, Todd had enlisted the help of fitness instructor James Bailey to help him along, but things took a dramatic turn when Theo decided that they had been “flirting” with each other during the fitness session. Once he had left, Todd tried to deny this and made a comment about how James “wasn’t pushing him around.”

Furious, Theo grabbed Todd and said: “I’ll push you around,” and made him stare at himself in the mirror before smashing his face right into it. Todd went off into the bathroom to clear himself up, but soon emerged having realised he might need stitches. Worming his way out of blame, Theo said: “You’ve had me scared to death, Todd. All right? 22:22 I mean, obviously, it was the tug-of-war thing, you know? I was going one way and you were going t’other, and obviously, I was trying to keep you still and you hit your head. Look, I’ll get your shoes and your coat.”

Over at the hospital, Todd refused to go into detail about the whole thing and Theo soon burst into the treatment room, assuring the nurse that he would take care of his partner back at home. Once there, Todd gingerly tried to confront Theo about the whole incident, but he was having none of it. Todd then went for a lie down, and when he returned, Theo presented him with a plat of dinner, but it was cold.

When Todd pointed this out, Theo said: “I was meant to… It’s just… You know, with me having to cook you food and training you, and watching you roll around half naked and flirt with James on the floor, and asking him to massage your legs.

“And then you tripping into the mirror, cutting yourself, and expecting me to take you to hospital .and then… coming home and then you accusing me of… what was it, tripping you, or deliberately hurting you? Forgive me for forgetting the temperature of the meal that I made you.” Leaving Todd on the verge of tears, Theo forced him to eat his cold dinner.

The scenes were too much for some fans to take, with one taking to X to rage: “Todd/Theo just makes me wanna punch the telly! Hope their story gets the right affect on people who are experiencing the same manipulative treatment.”

Another said: “Another great #Corrie ep. The Todd and Theo sl is harrowing. I hate Theo,” and a third wrote: “Hard watch today with the Todd and Theo story line, an important one, and well acted, but a hard watch non the less.”

The drama clearly shows no signs of stopping for Todd, who first appeared on the programme in 2000, and fans have struggled to take some of the shocking moments that have aired so far. Last month, Todd accidentally scraped his brand new car, and the funeral director knew instantly that there would be trouble.

At home, he cooked a fancy meal for himself and Theo, which was met with complaints, and when Theo asked him why the car was not outside, he explained that he’d moved it to a nearby car park for safety. Theo knew this was a lie as Kevin had warned him the car would not be ready until tomorrow. Launching into a fit of rage, Theo threw everything off the table and left Todd to clear up the mess as he continued his tirade.

Theo then helped himself to a bowl of cereal, Todd tried to reason with Theo. He said: “I do get how this could be a slap in the face, I’m really, really sorry. Can we just agree that I’m a total waste of space and move on?” but Theo simply told Todd to close his eyes as he poured a full bottle of milk over him.

Earlier this year, Theo was furious with Todd for going to the pub with his friends, and was even less impressed with Todd when he returned home with kebabs for them both.

In a disturbing end to that episode, which aired September, Theo grabbed Todd and forced the kebab into his mouth as he told him: “You’re a grubby little man. I have packed my stuff, and I’m leaving. I don’t ever want to see you again,” before storming out, slamming the door behind him and leaving a distraught Todd to clean himself up.