Coronation Street star Gareth Pierce has admitted that ‘sadly’ hist storyline is set to take an upsetting turn as Todd Grimshaw becomes a victim of partner Theo Silverton.

Fans of the ITV soap have been worried for the actor’s character, who he has played since 2020 having been recast in the long-running role, after spotting signs of controlling behaviour from his new boyfriend, Theo, who ha randomly met on the cobbles earlier this year.

There was instantly a spark between the pair, but Theo initially wanted to keep their sizzling romance under wraps, with Todd then unaware that Theo had a secret wife, Danielle, and two children, but knowing he was battling with his family’s religious beliefs, revealing he’d been subject to conversion therapy.

Their relationship has since faced more challenges along the way, with Danielle discovering their romance, and Theo’s daughter trying to get inbetween the new couple to split them up.

But Theo’s behaviour becomes more overtly controlling as he tries to cut Todd off from two of his closest friends, Billy Mayhew and Sarah Platt, before the abuse turns physical.

“Todd has to really forcibly communicate that that is just not acceptable behaviour in any world but certainly not in this relationship,” Gareth said.

Todd isn’t recognising Theo’s concerning behaviour as a sign of abuse(Image: ITV)

“There’s a scene shortly afterwards where Todd seems to notice for the first time Theo’s pattern of not apologising. Todd challenges that, the fact that he’s going to try and carry on like that was no big deal last night. He tells him you can’t do that.”

Viewers will see Todd turn to Sarah, but ends up defending his partner. Asked if he’s worried for Todd, Gareth admitted: “Yeah definitely because Todd’s constantly calibrating what is normal and what is acceptable in the relationship.

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“So very slowly things that are already crossing the line, that are already massive red flags are becoming slowly acceptable. That’s only going to get worse now at the point where it’s become physical and Todd is still able to convince himself that this is somehow fixable rather than a situation that he needs to walk away from.”

While fans have already been calling on Todd to leave Theo and see what’s really going on, Gareth explained that his character is not at that point yet as Theo manages to manipulate his way out of the upcoming physical situation.

He shared: “There’ll be this moment for the audience where they’ll think Todd is finally waking up to what’s going on and that he’s going to step up and and put those lines in place, but sadly that slowly gets unpicked by Theo as he uses the effects of his past and the therapy to try explain his behaviours.”