THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE COBBLES: CORONATION STREET STAR DROPS A B0MBSHELL ABOUT THE ICONIC VILLAIN HE NEARLY PORTRAYED! 🎭⛓️🤯

Coronation Street star James Cartwright has revealed that he nearly played another cobbles’ villain before landing the part of Theo Silverton. Fans saw evil Theo finally meet his end on Friday’s episode (1 May), as he was revealed as the character who was killed during ‘Murder Week’.

When asked if he’d ever nearly appeared on the soap before playing Theo, James said: “I’ve been up for it a few times and there was a few different parts that we talked about that weren’t quite right.

“I nearly played Joel,” he added. “It wasn’t quite right for me, I wasn’t sure about it.”

Joel was played by Calum Lill and introduced in September 2023 as as the duty solicitor for Lauren Bolton, before becoming Dee Dee Bailey’s love interest.

He was eventually revealed to be using his position to groom vulnerable young women, with Lauren being one of his targets. He met his end in November 2024 at the hands of his victim Lauren, with help from Max Turner.

James has also spoken about Theo’s death, sharing why it was better for him to be killed off, rather than stand trial for his crimes.

“I join a long line of people who’ve met Corrie‘s own brand of justice,” James explained. “I think ultimately, it was always going to be thus. I remember chatting to Kate Brooks, the magnificent producer. Theo was all her doing, really. It was her vision and she’s wonderful.

“When we very first started, she said: ‘Look, it’s either going to be court or Corrie‘s own brand of justice’. Then, as it went further on, it was decided that there’s no need for another court case. So off he goes, mate!”

James said that a trial would just be “Todd saying what happened, Theo denying it and then reliving all of those awful events.”

He added: “It’s been a brilliant storyline, but also it’s been quite brutal and whether there’s an appetite to relive that when people [at home] are enjoying their corned beef hash, I don’t know!”