Theo Silverton’s (James Cartwright) abuse of Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) continues in Coronation Street next week.

The character began showing signs of concerning behaviour when it became apparent he likes to be in control. Gradually, things have gotten worse, as we’ve see Theo manipulate Todd and physically abuse him on a number of occasions.

With Theo hellbent on isolating Todd from his loved ones, the ordeal sadly isn’t coming to an end anytime soon. In upcoming episodes, Theo spots Todd fast asleep on the sofa and fails to wake him up for work. He grabs the white shirts from the laundry basket and leaves, leaving Todd alone.

At the funeral parlour, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) panics over the fact Todd is a no show. Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) heads to the flat and finds a horrified Todd in a state, claiming his alarm didn’t go off.

Once Todd notices his white shirts are still in the washing machine, he’s outraged when George points out that he’s no longer needed.

After updating Theo, Todd is taken aback by his support, unaware that he’s being manipulated. At the parlour, George continues to berate Todd for letting him down, causing him to lose his temper.

In the week, Theo prepares breakfast and decides to tell Todd that his fondness for junk food is one of the reasons why he makes so many bad decisions. Things then get deeply awkward and confusing, as Theo invites the man he cheated on Todd with over for dinner.

Theo continues to use food and Todd’s health in his manipulation tactics by presenting him with pastries for breakfast the next day. Todd and Theo finish them, but Todd refuses to go for a run with his partner after, adamant it would make him feel unwell.

Theo heads off alone and then sees James Bailey (Jason Callender), who offers to go running with him.

Theo receives a message from Todd, telling him that he’ll go running after all, but Theo takes advantage and tells his boyfriend not to bother, because James his is new running buddy now.

‘Todd has really anchored his own moods to what mood he’s going to get from Theo day to day,’ star Gareth Pierce said. ‘He’s trying constantly to anticipate things that Theo might get riled about to avoid a situation like the kebab scene where it really boiled over.’

‘That kebab moment was genuinely scary for Todd, and he’s tried to communicate that to Theo,’ he continued.

‘There’s definitely a sense now that Theo is a more physically imposing character than Todd is as well, so he’s definitely scared of him physically but there is still love there somewhere in the relationship and Todd feels like he can maybe anticipate or fix Theo.’

‘I think the audience will already be noticing the ways that Todd is briefly relaxed with his friends and his close confidants like Sarah (Tina O’Brien), George (Tony Maudsley) and Billy (Daniel Brocklebank).