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Coronation Street star James Cartwright recently arrived on screen as Todd Grimshaw’s (Gareth Pierce) new love interest, Theo Silverton, and already the lovers have faced numerous obstacles.
Recent scenes saw Todd learn that not only was Theo married, but he also had two children, and none of his family knew that he was actually gay.
However, last week saw wife Danielle Silverton (Natalie Anderson) walk in on Todd and Theo kissing, after accusing Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) of having an affair with her husband.
Following the shock, Theo drunkenly told Todd that things between them were over, and that he never wanted to see him again, before heading back to his car where Danielle was waiting.
But is this really the end for Theo and Todd?
Actor James has revealed that Theo ‘100%’ thinks his relationship with Todd is worth fighting for.
‘I think it’s a very strong bond. It’s one of those times in life where it’s all in,’ he explained. ‘I think it’s all in for him now, because his wife knows, his kids know. It’s Stalingrad. Those bridges are burned. So he’s moving forward.
‘They’re both sacrificing an enormous amount to make it work. Todd is taking all this baggage from this man. From Theo’s point of view, he’s lost his family, he’s getting mocked on the scaffolding site and all these different things.
‘So they’re all in, and they’re going to really have a good crack at making this work, on this journey to domestic bliss between the scaffolder and the undertaker.’
In upcoming scenes, viewers will learn exactly why Theo has struggled so much to be open about his sexuality, as he reveals a big secret to Todd and Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank).
‘He’s from a devoutly religious background, and that’s what’s made him keep it in,’ James revealed. ‘And I think, for the first time, with Todd it’s more than sexual.
‘I think it’s a man who he’s met and he’s gone, “Oh my God, like you’re a dear friend, but also I fancy you,” which is how we choose all our partners, right? You just go “I fancy you, but actually we get on and you like me back, and you want to look after me.”
‘I think that basis is where we build the relationship from. And I think he trusts him, and he sees that it is more than that. And Todd is very patient and loving and kind.’
Through their conversation, viewers will learn that Theo was subject to conversion therapy growing up, something that actor James was ‘surprised’ is still prevalent today.
This has had a major impact on Theo, as James explained.
‘I think, like anything that you go through like that, you’ll feel in an array of emotions. I think you can’t help but feel conflicted, because on one hand, you’ve been told that homosexuality is not natural, it’s a sin, it’s abhorrent, it’s against the Lord, all of that.
‘But on the other hand, you feel it exists inside you. It lives within that little petri dish of your heart. You’re told it’s a nasty bacteria, but you’re going, “But that’s how I feel. So there’s something wrong with me if I feel this way.”‘
Though Billy and Todd make it clear that what happened to him was wrong, Theo struggles to come to terms with that.
‘I think it’s like anything in life. I think things can be explained to you, but understanding them is a different thing. I think because his parents were privy to the conversion therapy, it’s a much bigger thing.
‘Because if you start to unpack that you have to think,”Okay, my mum and dad are complicit. The Church and all my friends who I grew up with are complicit, the family friends are complicit.”
‘I think he knows it wasn’t okay, but I think he has to process it for himself. It’s very complicated, all that stuff. He wants to just be happy, as we all do.’
Will Todd be able to help Theo navigate this difficult journey, and will they come out stronger in the end?
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