Coronation Street bosses could face backlash for casting an actor ‘who broke another man’s eye socket’ as an upcoming storyline reflects the real life event.

James Cartwright, who stars as Theo Silverton on the ITV soap, was given 18 months in jail, suspended for a year, with 12 months supervision and 200 hours unpaid work in 2013 after throwing a punch at Phillip Mason in a nightclub.

The actor claimed to have acted in self defence, but a jury convicted him of inflicting grievous bodily harm following a trial and he was ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to his victim.

In Corrie scenes set to air, James’ character’s past is set to be revealed with Todd Grimshaw finding out about Theo being convicted of an attack in a restaurant, The Sun reports.

A source told the publication: ‘It’s all rather unfortunate. The storyline was scripted before bosses found out about James’ violent criminal past.

‘It’s been quite embarrassing and a little awkward for him having to act out Theo’s secret past because it’s been art imitating real life events.’

Coronation Street and Tracy Beaker aren’t the only impressive roles that James has had over the years

The insider added: ‘There have certainly been a few raised eyebrows about it all on set but bosses are standing by him.’

Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.

Speaking at the trial in 2013, defence barrister Neil Fryman said James had no previous convictions and a successful acting career.

The judge, Recorder Andrew Long, told Cartwright told James: ‘I don’t know what possessed you to act in the way you did.

‘You launched an attack upon him, punching him very hard in the face for little or no reason. You know you put your life, everything you have worked for, in jeopardy.’

A spokesman for James Cartwright responded when asked about the incident earlier this year by The Sun: ‘This is an incident which took place a very long time ago when James was attacked in a nightclub.

‘Although not the instigator, James has always regretted his reaction.’

This character scaffolder Theo Silverton first appeared on the Cobbles in March this year.

He is married to Danielle Silverton (Natalie Anderson), but little does she know that he’s been having an affair with Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) behind her back.

The pair were set up by Todd’s late aunt Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) after a metal pole from some scaffolding he was working on nearly hit her.

James Cartwright, who stars as Theo Silverton, was given 18 months in jail, suspended for a year, with 12 months supervision and 200 hours unpaid work in 2013 after throwing a punch

In scenes set to air, the characters past is set to be revealed with Todd Grimshaw finding out about Theo being convicted of an attack in a restaurant, The Sun reports

This character scaffolder Theo Silverton first appeared on the Cobbles in March this year and is married to Danielle Silverton but is having an affair with Todd

Theo and Julie clashed as he thought she was trying to claim money off him, but later found out that she had terminal cancer.

The scaffolder told Todd that he wasn’t gay, but they soon couldn’t stay away from each other and started sleeping with each other.

Todd was left heartbroken when Theo’s wife arrived at the Street and found out that they had been married for 19 years.

Speaking about the role, he said: ‘I think Theo is a good guy, he comes in with the best of intentions, as most people do, but he may upset some people with his behaviour.’

The actor shared he was ‘very excited’ about the new role and shared, ‘a lot of my memories growing up as a young boy were settling down with my gran after tea, she’d make me a crumpet and we’d sit there and watch Corrie’.

He added: ‘I feel like it’s a great honour to be a part of something that’s brought joy to people for so long.’

Back in the early 2000s he starred in The Bill, Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise, Fuction at the Function and Clocking Off.

After appearing in the Tracy Beaker franchise, he starred in Outlaws, Blackpool, Missing, The Afternoon Play and Instinct.

James has also appeared in Holby City, Hollyoaks Later, Dracula, Doctors, Love, Lives and Records and Downtown Abbey.

More recently he played Humphrey Lash in Sister Boniface Mysteries, Stephen Lampart in Dalgliesh, John I Lackland in Glow & Darkness and Jimbo Riley in Father Brown.