Coronation Street’s James Cartwright is preparing to film his exit storyline, as his character Theo Silverton bows out of the show.

Theo has proven to be one of the most hateful, hideous creatures to ever emerge in Weatherfield, with his hideous torture of boyfriend, Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) keeping viewers deeply uncomfortable since last year.

With Theo being a villain, his time on the cobbles was always going to end eventually.

Here’s everything you need to know about the character’s upcoming exit, and a look back at the storyline.

When is Theo leaving Coronation Street?

While the end is in sight, it seems Theo won’t be leaving Weatherfield just yet.

A Coronation Street spokesperson told Metro: ‘James joined Coronation Street on a finite contract and was fully aware of his character’s story arc and how long he would be in the show.‘He still has scenes to film in the Todd/Theo storyline and will be on screen until later this year.’

With Theo due to stick around on-screen for a while, does that rule him out of the upcoming ‘whodunnit’? There’s bound to be some upset Corrie fans, who unanimously decided that Theo should be the one to lose his life. We know the soap gods demand justice, does this mean that Theo’s will come through a more legal channel?

Theo Silverton’s time on Corrie

Theo initially emerged as a sympathetic character, having suffered through sick conversion therapy, desperately trying to contain his undeniable attraction to Todd, despite the presence of a wife and two children.

Even with the emergence of conversion therapy practitioner Noah Hedley (Richard Winsor) who’d started dating Theo’s ex-wife, Danielle (Natalie Anderson) and the seemingly endless torment they directed his way, Theo and Todd weathered the early storm, though it became immediately apparent that there was something deeply wrong with Theo.

With a deep-rooted dislike of Todd’s ex, Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) and the flirtatious James Bailey (Jason Callender), Theo began to exert subtle manipulations designed to keep any perceived threat away from Todd, before his own violent history emerged.

Theo’s devious coercion soon gave way to physical humiliation in the weeks that immediately followed, beginning with Theo force-feeding Todd a kebab, leaving him utterly disturbed and traumatised, before a false promise of therapy allowed Theo to wheedle his way back into Todd’s home.

Once his feet were back under the table, Theo’s sick abuse continued to escalate, emotionally tormenting Todd with disappearances, cruel comments about his physique, and implementing an exercise regime to physically harm him.

In a special single-strand episode that focussed entirely on Todd’s ordeal, and told through security camera, police bodycam and doorbell footage, viewers were plunged headfirst into the reality of what Todd’s life had become, and how, through Theo’s expert skills of manipulation, he’d been the one arrested after trying to defend himself from another beating.

With Billy now aware of Theo’s true nature, he plotted to help Todd escape, though his attempt to liberate his friend resulted in his fiery death when Theo ensured he had no escape from the Corriedale car pile up explosion, severing another source of help from Todd.

Theo devised a new form of torture for Todd, purposely costing him his job, ensuring he’s the sole breadwinner and talking Todd into opening a joint account, from which he’s allowed a measly amount.

In the aftermath of Theo’s birthday, he pulled a knife on Todd, but rather than eliciting fear, Todd merely begged to be put out of his misery. In order to reclaim his sense of control, Theo broke up with him in response, though upcoming scenes will see him spike Todd’s drink after a week of trying to convince him that he’s happier than ever with them apart.

Away from Corrie…

As James prepares to leave the show, you will be able to catch him in another role that’s completely different to evil Theo.

The actor will feature in a comedy-horror called Bjorn of the Dead, which focuses on an ABBA tribute band battling zombies amid an apocalypse.

James will play Benny in the show and will also star alongside his father Jim Cartwright, who will play an Elder Tribute.