Sinister Coronation Street scenes as dark blackmail issued after arrest

Worrying scenes aired amid an abuse storyline (Picture: ITV)

Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) issued a warning to Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) in tonight’s Coronation Street, and it left us very worried.

We all know that Theo has lived a complicated life. He was put through conversion therapy when he was younger and got married to a lady called Danielle (Natalie Anderson), all while repressing who he really is. It was meeting Todd that brought Theo’s true self out of him, but the journey hasn’t been as empowering as everyone hoped.

Processing everything he’s been through, and accepting the man he is today, is something Theo finds incredibly tricky. When he’s faced with a situation, he sometimes approaches it the wrong way, causing him to express signs of violence, confusion and even jealousy.

Todd has been convinced that he can help Theo get through the challenges, but has also been subjected to his boyfriend’s manipulation.

Things took another dark turn in tonight’s episode, as Theo grew annoyed about Todd’s friendship with Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank).

Billy had Miles arrested after the homophobic attack (Picture: ITV)

It was Summer Spellman’s (Harriet Bibby) birthday today, and she told Todd and Theo that they’d both be welcome at her dinner in the Bistro that afternoon. This seemed like a nice idea to Theo, but then his son Miles became his main focus.

A couple of days ago, Miles argued with Billy in the street. It became clear that Noah (Richard Windsor) had got inside his head and was brainwashing him with vile homophobic thoughts.

Billy ended up on the floor as a result of this attack. Today, he pondered over what to do about it.

Gently speaking to Miles about getting him some help didn’t work, so he resorted to having him arrested. DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) and another officer chose to do this in the middle of Summer’s party though, which caused huge problems.

Theo’s behaviour will get worse in the coming weeks (Picture: ITV)

After Swain’s interrogation, Theo wasted no time in speaking to Todd about Billy reporting his son.

Theo was certain that Billy told Swain about Miles because he’s jealous of their relationship. He told his boyfriend that he needs to choose between him, or his ex.

Left torn, Todd’s decision was revealed just before the episode ended. He arrived in the pub with Theo, and told Billy that he should stay away from him for the foreseeable.

These scenes aired ahead of a really horrific journey for Todd, which will see him continue to be coercively controlled by Theo, but also physically abused by him.

Theo will begin to physically abuse Todd (Picture: ITV)

‘Todd’s constantly calibrating what is normal and what is acceptable in the relationship’, star Gareth Pierce said.

‘So very slowly things that are already crossing the line, that are already massive red flags are becoming slowly acceptable.

‘That’s only going to get worse now at the point where it’s become physical and Todd is still able to convince himself that this is somehow fixable rather than a situation that he needs to walk away from.  

‘There may still be a way that he can somehow convince himself that this is an exception rather than the norm of the relationship. It’ll probably dawn on him that that is what the relationship is, an abusive relationship, sooner than he finds the strength to end it.’ 

Coronation Street is working with the charities Stonewall and Galop in developing this storyline and Gareth told us that they will continue to provide insights into Todd and Theo’s situation as it goes forward – and becomes even more disturbing. 

‘They will also be supporting us fully in not just the physical abuse but the entire coercive control aspect of the relationship,’ he said.  

‘There’s going to be areas like body image, financial control and they’ll be supporting us in the ways that might differ within a same sex relationship. One of the big things that’s been flagged is the way that it can be very difficult to convince the authorities that this is the dynamic that is actually happening.

‘There are also the social pressures that might make two men feel that you’re a bloke, you should be able to sort it out yourself.

‘Those quite narrow and archaic views of masculinity still sometimes pop up around a relationship dynamic like this.’  

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