The only way out of Todd Grimshaw’s (Gareth Pierce) domestic abuse nightmare is his Coronation Street family.

Now Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) wants to destroy that too, when he forces Todd to launch a vicious tirade on his loved ones that he can never take back…

Poor Todd’s plight has never looked so bleak. He was literally forced down the aisle by his twisted abuser and given a shotgun wedding without the shotgun.

That might sound messed up to you and me, but after a year’s worth of violence, control and gaslighting, Todd just doesn’t question it anymore. Theo’s got him right where he wants him.

However, there’s hope on the horizon, in the form of Weatherfield’s most loveable undertaker, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley).

Ever since he overheard Theo verbally abusing Todd, he’s been hellbent on freeing the closest thing he’s got to a son from the clutches of his bullying narcissist of a husband.

He’s not alone. There’s Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby), the adoptive daughter of Todd’s ex Billy Mayhew, who Theo left to die in the Corriedale crash out of sheer jealousy, George’s partner Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins), Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) and Gary Windass (Mikey North).

All of Todd’s nearest and dearest are gravely worried about him, and no more so than George. So deep is George’s concern for Todd’s safety that he brought him an emergency bag filled with all the basics, should he ever have to escape Theo in a hurry.

The problem is that Theo discovers that bag in tonight’s episode, and in order to prove his loyalty, a terrified Todd must burn all his bridges in Coronation Street for good.

In the Bistro, George is drinking with Christina, Sarah, Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) and David Platt (Jack P Shepherd) when Theo and Todd arrive, holding the emergency bag. Theo accuses all of them of trying to meddle in their relationship and reveals that they will soon be moving to Belfast.

Horrified, Sarah and Christina tries to make Todd see that Theo is controlling him. Under Theo’s stern glare, Todd feels the pressure to make a gesture of loyalty towards his husband, and proceeds to verbally eviscerate his friends – starting with Sarah.

‘Who are you to talk? You change fellas like you change your nickers. What’s this year? Gangsters? Yes please. Til you’re out of your depth. Then it’s ‘Oooh I need a sensible bloke! Copper? That’ll do!’

Todd is of course hitting Sarah where it hurts, alluding to her failed relationship with Gary and current relationship with Kit Green (Jacob Roberts). Leaping to Sarah’s defence, Christina accuses Theo of operating Todd from behind. Now it’s Christina’s turn for abuse.

‘Like you’re working him (George) from behind?’ Todd sneers. ‘Til the cash runs out. I’d watch out tomorrow George. If that judge rules against you, you won’t see her for dust.She is a strictly good time girl.’

Todd is referring to the court case George is currently facing thanks to an aggrieved client spreading slander about his undertaking business. Todd knows how to hurt those closest to him – after all, he learned from the best.

George tries to shut this down, but Todd snaps ‘they’re all thinking it, they’re just not saying it while you’re getting the beers in every night!

Despite the tense confrontation, there’s a slightly humorous moment where Brian tries to cut Todd off before he can start on him. ‘Don’t build your part up, Brian!’ Todd quips. ‘You’re not even interesting enough to slag off!’

Only when Summer reprimands him for being cruel does Todd stop.

‘If you can’t be happy for us, then there’s your answer.’ insists Todd. ‘Stay out of our way’. With that, he storms out of the Bistro with Theo.

Out on the cobbles, Theo finds the whole thing hilarious and congratulates Todd for standing up to them all. But it’s clear from Todd’s expression that he’s filled with shame for hurting those closest to him. After verbally skewering his Weatherfield family, Todd’s never felt more alone.

The question is, will Todd’s friends still be there for him now?