George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) makes his long-awaited return to Coronation Street next week and quickly learns that two people he loves dearly are struggling. The character has been away from the cobbles visiting family, leaving behind a tense situation with Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins).
George's absence and Christina's worries
Initially, George and Christina were set to travel together, but they had a row and George went alone. While he has been away, Christina has been busy worrying about Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce). Todd had spent time abroad following the abuse he suffered at the hands of Theo Silverton and the discovery that friend Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) killed him. However, the trip appears to have done little good. Todd is often seen drinking alcohol, and his defensive reactions when friends comment on his intake signal he is not coping well.
Next week, Christina begins to fear for her relationship with George as she tells Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger) that he has barely messaged since leaving. Turning to drink to drown her sorrows, Christina ends up falling over while in the ginnel. Jake (Bobby Bradshaw), Gary Windass' (Mikey North) son, finds the situation hilarious and films Christina before pouring his water over her. Watching this is Ollie Driscoll (Raphael Akuwudike). Assuming the worst, Ollie chases after Jake, and Christina and Glenda soon find Ollie with Jake pinned to the floor. Christina tells Ollie to stop, revealing that Jake only poured water over her.
George confronts Todd
In the week, as a nervous Christina tidies the house in preparation for George's return, Todd heads to work and is surprised to find George already there. George wastes no time in confronting Todd about trying to bury his problems with alcohol. Todd turns the tables and tells George about Christina's drunken antics in the ginnel.
After pondering the past couple of weeks, George heads home and tells Christina that he has had time to think. The question remains: will George give their relationship another go? And what will happen next with him and Todd?
