The residents of Weatherfield are set to witness a deeply troubling and shocking moment as Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) proposes to his abusive partner, Theo Silverton (James Cartwright), in an upcoming episode of Coronation Street. This dramatic twist comes after months of a harrowing coercive control and physical abuse storyline that has left Todd isolated and trapped.
A Relationship Built on Control and Fear
Theo's manipulative and aggressive behaviour towards Todd has escalated steadily since their relationship began. What started with controlling comments about Todd's diet and forceful feeding has spiralled into severe gaslighting, physical violence, and complete isolation from his friends, including Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) and Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank).
In recent episodes, Theo's jealousy reached a new peak. After Todd shared an innocent conversation with childhood crush Nick Tilsley (Ben Price), Theo berated him and then abandoned him across Manchester, driving off alone after a confrontation. This incident is just the latest in a long line of abuses, which have included Theo pouring milk over Todd's head, smashing his face into a mirror, and beating him.
Theo has expertly manipulated situations to paint himself as the victim. In a special episode told through hidden cameras, Theo goaded Todd into shoving him, resulting in a fall that sent Theo to hospital and Todd to a police cell. Even when Todd installed secret cameras to gather evidence, Theo found and doctored the footage, further convincing their neighbours that Todd was the aggressor.
A Desperate Proposal and a Concerned Street
In a tragic indication of how entrapped Todd feels, he will get down on one knee and propose to Theo during the Rovers Return's New Year's Eve party. A spoiler video shows Todd surprising Theo with a kiss before popping the question in front of their neighbours, declaring he wants a fresh start in 2026.
However, not everyone is celebrating. Billy and Summer will exchange deeply concerned looks, with Billy already growing suspicious about the true nature of Todd and Theo's relationship. In upcoming scenes, Billy will seek advice from Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) about the signs of abuse, recalling her grandmother Yasmeen's ordeal with Geoff Metcalfe.
Actor Gareth Pierce has confirmed Todd's situation is set to worsen, telling Metro: 'He does push back and, sadly, the situation actually gets worse and Todd's maybe doubly trapped now.'
Is Todd Leaving Coronation Street? The Corriedale Crossover Threat
While there is no official confirmation of Todd's departure, his future is thrown into further jeopardy by the upcoming epic 'Corriedale' crossover event with Emmerdale, airing at 8pm on Monday, January 5th. Producers have promised fatalities, and with Todd on the cast list, he could be a potential victim.
Gareth Pierce teased his character's fate at the crossover premiere, revealing: 'I don't know how much I can give away, but Todd is initially unconscious in the immediate aftermath... There was one bit where we needed everyone to do cut aways of their reactions to the explosion and my big challenge was to not react to the explosion because I was unconscious.'
This revelation places Todd in immediate physical danger, separate from the psychological torment Theo inflicts. The crossover event features a vast cast from both soaps, including Corrie's Carla Connor, Tracy Barlow, and Sarah Platt, and Emmerdale's Cain Dingle, Charity Dingle, and Aaron Dingle.
The storyline has also revealed that Todd is not Theo's first victim. A former boyfriend, Owen, confronted Theo on Canal Street this summer, accusing him of abuse, but Theo deftly twisted the narrative to portray Owen as the controlling one—a tactic he now uses on Todd.
As the new year dawns on Coronation Street, Todd Grimshaw remains caught in a terrifying web of manipulation and violence, with his desperate proposal marking a tragic new low and the Corriedale disaster posing an entirely new threat to his survival.
