NEW UPDATE! Todd’s great escape in Coronation Street as he stands up to abuser Theo amid truth of Billy’s death
After months of abuse, Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) makes a desperate bid for freedom in Coronation Street next week in what prove to be highly emotional offerings of the ITV soap, as he reports his abuser to the police.
The show legend, as viewers know, has been subjected to months of coercive controlling behaviour and violence from partner Theo Silverton (James Cartwright).
The ordeal has left Todd a shell of himself and for a time the only person who knew what he was going through was former flame and longtime confidante Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), who tragically died in the Corriedale minibus crash in January.
Todd has spent months mourning the loss of his beloved Billy, much to the chagrin of vile and jealous Theo. But what he doesn’t know is that Theo, who repeatedly made him feel like Billy’s death was his fault, is actually the one who ended the vicar’s life when he left him trapped in the blaze.
And while Todd was at his lowest ebb, Theo continued to bully and manipulate him, with the abuse extending to his finances as well, with Todd left with no money to live on and often forced to go without food.
When it got too much, he stood up to Theo, telling him to ‘put him out of his misery’, which resulted in a temporary separation for the couple. But jealous Theo struggled to control his rage when he saw Todd moving on and thus orchestrated a last-minute wedding, giving his ex little chance to think, pressuring him into saying yes.
Theo’s mask slipped soon after, with the swiftness of the nuptials coupled with an incident of verbal abuse overheard by George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) leaving a number of Street residents suspecting that the builder is abusing Todd.
Determined to get away from the prying eyes of concerned folk, Theo manipulated Todd into moving to Belfast, with scenes last week seeing Todd lambast his loved ones when they voiced their concern.
But the situation escalates next week, with some pretty shocking scenes on the cards. Having been tipped off by Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) that Billy’s demise was no accident, Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) does some digging and, after a conversation with Theo, she suspects that he might’ve had a hand in her stepdad’s death.
And, horrified to learn Todd is moving with the killer to Belfast, the race against time is on for Summer, who soon shares her theory about Billy’s grisly end with her third dad, who is left reeling.
In a bid to stop the move, Summer joins forces with Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien), who notifies George of Todd’s imminent departure and thus they form a plan. But their efforts are foiled by Theo, who claims via the ring doorbell that he and Todd have already left.
Todd, meanwhile, begs Theo to unlock the bedroom door and let him back up the story to Sarah, which will prove that he can be trusted. Todd successfully convinces Sarah that what Theo said was the truth. Theo claims he’s going for a shower while Todd finishes the rest of the packing but once the abuser is out of sight, Todd instead resolves to make a bid for freedom.
Does he make it out of the flat?
Yes but not before another incident occurs, with pictures confirming that Todd has fresh injuries.
Subsequent scenes will see him bravely stand up to Theo, in a special episode devoted entirely to the storyline. Later, he heads to the police station to report the abuser as Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) and Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) listen.
Theo, meanwhile, knows the walls are closing in and thus prepares to leavebut as word of his controlling and violent nature spread across Weatherfield, will he manage to make it out? Or will justice be served?
That remains to be seen but with video evidence needed to strengthen Todd’s case, Sarah decides to rummage through Theo’s holdall in the back of his van in search of his tablet. Will she find what she needs?
Later, George accompanies Todd back to the flat but when the doorbell rings he’s left terrified and, with tears in his eyes, he makes a beeline for the exit.
Summer, meanwhile, goes in for a hug but Todd winces, leaving her devastated as she comes to realise just how fragile he is after what Theo put him through.