The following article contains spoilers from the episode of Coronation Street dated March 29. It hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX.
A truly devastating moment aired in today’s episode of Coronation Street which saw Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) inadvertently allude to the intensity of abuse he has suffered at the hands of Theo Silverton (James Cartwright).
Earlier this week, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) grew concerned for Todd when he discovered he had married Theo.
The ceremony was witnessed by Gary Windass (Mikey North) and Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon). When they revealed to Todd’s friends in the pub that he had tied the knot with Theo, George sensed that something was wrong because he knew that if Todd actually wanted to get married, he would’ve invited him and Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby).
Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) told George that the way he’s speaking about the wedding makes it seem as though Theo forced Todd to get married – and he was beginning to wonder if he did.
His theory that his friend was in trouble was basically confirmed the next day, when George heard Theo spouting vile abuse.
The evil man slipped up because he thought Todd was in the bathroom. After attacking his partner’s character once more, Theo was quietly horrified when Todd arrived back from the shop, and George emerged from behind the door.
George called a crisis meeting in today’s episode and asked Summer, Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger), Christina and Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) to meet him at the funeral parlour.
The group discussed Theo, and recalled incidents that they brushed off in the past, but can now see as signs he’s been controlling Todd.
Todd’s loved ones were interrupted due to the fact he had arrived for work. The women rushed off, leaving George to tell Todd what they had been discussing.
Todd was horrified at the suggestion Theo had been abusing him, and leapt to his defence whenever it was clear that George didn’t believe him.
George tried to tell Todd that he might be in denial, but he wasn’t accepting any of it.
As Todd became overwhelmed, he snapped at George and stated that he isn’t a ‘battered husband’. With tears in his eyes, George told Todd that no-one has suggested he’s being ‘battered’.
Todd covered for his husband again and got to work.
It was a heart-breaking moment for George, as he realised the abuse Todd is suffering might be a lot worse than what he thinks.
