Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) slips up in Coronation Street soon and ends up unleashing the side that only Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) has seen in front of someone else.

For months now, Todd has been subjected to physical and mental abuse from Theo. It’s included having his finances controlled, having his face smashed into a mirror, being judged daily for what he eats and how he looks, not to mention being isolated from his loved ones in Weatherfield.

‘He’s really living on his wits. His nervous system must be in a constant kind of readiness for what’s coming next’, star Gareth Pierce explained in a chat with Metro.

‘I think he clings to those crumbs of comfort when they come, but he’s almost kind of primed for the next moment when it might turn into something more volatile.

‘I think people, especially those with some experience of similar relationships, might see some of the complexities. Maybe there’s a voice now in Todd that is recognising that he’s trapped in something quite scary.

‘I think that’s led with shame, with a real deconstruction of his self-esteem and self-confidence, and so he’s just so deep in it that it’s very hard to summon the strength to step away. I suppose he’s in repair mode, almost trying to convince himself that it’s still fixable from the inside.’

Around Christmas time, a glimmer of hope appeared for Todd in the form of his friend Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), who managed to work out that something awful was going on.

When 2026 began, Todd got very close to leaving Theo and seeking safety with Billy, but it was ripped away from him due to the events that occurred in Corriedale.

Theo could sense that Todd and Billy were hiding something, and took action to stop him from losing his partner. This saw him trap Billy in an overturned minibus, which exploded moments later.

The one chance Todd had to get away from Theo had disappeared in seconds. Viewers have waited for another concerned friend to appear since then, and it seems the time has finally come.

In upcoming episodes, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) pops by the flat for a cuppa. Todd, who has a banging headache from the events of the day before, heads to the shop to get more teabags while George stays at the flat.

As George nips to the loo, Theo returns and, assuming Todd is in the bathroom, proceeds to shout abusive remarks through the door.

When Todd arrives after going to the shop and George emerges from the bathroom, Theo is quietly horrified.

Just how will George react?

Is this ultimately the moment George makes a worrying realisation?

‘It’s strange but I think when people are speaking to you with an element of truth, quite often you will be defensive of it, rather than receptive to it’, Gareth said as he reflected on how Todd feels whenever George expresses his dislike towards Theo.

‘I think that’s definitely one of the feelings that is stopping George getting through to Todd, but I think what’s also quite striking is the way that Todd just doesn’t have space in his head right now for George and his own dilemma.

‘George is struggling with the business but Todd’s head is buzzing with the situation that he’s found himself in and doesn’t have time for anything else.

‘There’s a horrible frustration for the audience, George is so preoccupied with this situation that he’s failing to see some of those signs.’