Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) is in hell. While initially tumultuous, his relationship with Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) has descended into a nightmarish cycle of coercion, violence and torture in Coronation Street.

Theo and Todd took centre stage this week in an episode told purely through the lens of security cameras, CCTV and police bodycam footage, after another incident between the two results in the emergency services being called to the cobbles.

Fans are clamouring for the day that Todd escapes his increasingly dangerous boyfriend.

We’re left to wonder, though, who could potentially save him from his current hideous predicament?

Theo was initially presented as sympathetic. He’d undergone sick conversion therapy, which had left him with deep psychological wounds. As Todd pursued their relationship, and after some back-and-forth’ing, Theo made the big decision to leave his wife, Danielle (Natalie Anderson), and live in his truth as a gay man.

Danielle entered into a relationship with the man who performed the evil conversion therapy, Noah Hedley (Richard Winsor), with a vitriolic battle over the couples children ensuing.

Early on, there were numerous red flags, with behaviour that couldn’t be simply dismissed by Theo’s traumatic past. He darkly threatened James Bailey (Jason Callender) to stay away from Todd, historical violent incidents came to light, and he made clear that he wanted Todd to cut ex-boyfriend Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) out of his life.

‘He’s trying to be understanding of Theo’, actor Gareth said. ‘He’s been suppressing his sexuality for so long, Todd is trying to encourage him towards being someone that can be comfortable in their new gay identity.

‘I think Todd has spotted many things from Theo, but he still has the mindset that he can fix this and because of the love that’s there, he’s thinking they will get through it.’

Theo’s sinister coercion gave way to physical humiliation when he force-fed Todd a kebab while verbally degrading him in truly horrifying scenes, though his manipulative streak saw him manage to worm his way back into Todd’s life with promises of therapy and change.

A day drinking session in Manchester’s gay village saw more of Theo’s history come to light, when he encountered an ex-boyfriend, Owen (Dominic Vulliamy).

Owen had escaped Theo’s abuse and, after seeking help, saw Theo for what he truly is. Making it clear that Theo could no longer use the church, religion or Danielle as excuses for his monstrous behaviour, he proclaimed: ‘It’s you, it’s in you.’

Theo used this as another tactic to manipulate Todd, disappearing and later cheating on him with Pete Lang (Andrew Hayden-Smith), humiliating him by pouring a bottle of milk over his head and actively destroying his relationship with friend, father figure and business partner, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley).

Later stepping up his torment, Theo had begun making comments about Todd’s appearance while convincing him to take part in gruelling and painful exercise in a bid to gain further control, later smashing his face into a mirror.

‘It’s another escalation, and it’s both shocking and terrifying for Todd,’ actor James Cartwright explained. ‘Theo just blows up when he doesn’t seem to be able to talk about his feelings. He can’t express himself so he loses his temper, and he becomes very volatile to be around.’

Theo managed to convince Todd that he’d ‘fallen’ into the mirror, while Todd himself lied to a nurse who’d clearly recognised the signs of abuse.

Todd still has allies. George deeply cares for him and, despite their recent rift, is intent on restoring their relationship, with his partner, Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) supporting him.

Another of Todd’s exes turned friends, Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien), is another who’s questioned Theo in the past, alongside Billy.

But can any of them come to Todd’s aid?

Who could save Todd from Theo?

George Shuttleworth and Christina Boyd

Todd has worked for George in the undertaker’s since 2020, with the latter slowly becoming a father figure over time. George even nearly became Todd’s actual step dad when he became romantically involved with Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver), and considered leaving the funeral business to Todd in his will.

Well aware that George is one of Todd’s closest friends, Theo has done everything possible to damage their relationship, making it clear that he doesn’t appreciate George’s presence in their flat and actively attempting to destroy their working relationship.

Still, George and his girlfriend, Christina seem to be aware that something is amiss in Todd’s relationship. Though gentle George would appear to be no match for Theo, Christina herself is known for a spot of manipulation and has proven herself to be a formidable foe.

Could this unlikely duo be Todd’s salvation?

Sarah Platt

Sarah and Todd have had an incredibly turbulent past, though these days they’ve formed a firm friendship, and she has stepped in on Todd’s behalf before in the face of Theo’s behaviour, namely when she caught he and Pete looking a little more than friendly in a van. With zero fear, she confronted both, demanding to know if Theo was cheating on her friend.

When Pete compared Sarah to a guard dog, Sarah lost it and squared up to both men, necessitating Todd’s intervention. Theo expertly smoothed things over with her, before demanding Todd cut her out of his life.

‘I think its a case of ‘you’re spending a lot of time with Sarah, I need to get rid of her.’ I think it just occurs to him in the moment, and then he tries to navigate it the way that best suits him as all narcissists do,’ James explained.

Though Theo seemingly placated Sarah, he’s about to turn his anger toward her brother. Will Sarah be the one to finally put the pieces together? Could Theo have gravely underestimated her friendship with Todd and live to regret it?

Billy Mayhew

Billy is one person who’s seen through Theo almost from the jump, while Theo, in turn, has made no secret of his disdain for his boyfriends ex, with one of his earliest forms of coercive control being an ultimatum between he and Billy.

Billy’s presence has remained a bone of contention between Todd and Theo, with Theo perhaps panicked at just how much of his dark side Billy is aware of. When Billy questions he quizzes Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) about the abuse Yasmeen Nazir (Shelley King) suffered at the hands of Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew) and Theo gets wind, they’re even more at odds. When he later discovers Todd’s body utterly smothered in bruises, it all but confirms what’s happening to him.

With Billy being of of Todd’s most steadfast allies, one has to assume that as the abuse comes to light, he’ll play an important role in it, perhaps as Todd’s saviour?

Or…Theo could remove his ‘Billy’ problem before he gets the chance.

Summer Spellman

Summer came into the care of Billy and Todd when her father passed away, with the two effectively functioning as dads for the youngster, with them fighting her grandmother for custody and becoming her legal guardian.

Though their relationship became strained when Todd departed the cobbles, upon his return, they’ve rebuilt their bond. When Todd was forced to hide in his flat as a result of his Theo-inflicted facial wounds, using a rubbish excuse to cancel plans with Summer, she was clearly incredibly concerned that something else was afoot, a theme that’ll continue when she becomes increasingly concerned about Todd’s state.

With a father-daughter like bond, could Summer step up and rescue Todd like he did for her all those years ago?

Bernie and Dev Alahan

Though previously not connected to Todd and Theo’s plot, Bernie is shaken when she sees the aftermath of next weeks incident, relaying to George and Christina that she’s absolutely certain there’s more than meets the eye and, inadvertently, sets the ball rolling on a reunion between the undertakers, providing Todd with a much-needed source of support.

Todd and Theo’s flat is also above Dev’s shop, giving Bernie’s husband ample opportunity to overhear Theo’s violence or vile rantings.

It might be a long shot, but could the Alahans discover the truth and help Todd get away?

Eileen and Jason Grimshaw

We know we’re not the only ones who’d love Todd’s beloved mother, Eileen to come home from Thailand, scoop up her son and rescue him, before dragging Theo up and down the cobbles by his hair like she did nemesis Gail Platt (Helen Worth).

It’d be even better if she brought back his brother, Jason (Ryan Thomas), reuniting the entire Grimshaw clan and providing the supportive framework that Todd’ll surely need post-Theo.

We can dream, right?

Maggie Driscoll

Who’s to say Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) won’t go for a repeat performance and add to her bottom-of-the-stairs pile of bodies?

We’re not sure we’d be sad to see Theo take a tumble courtesy of the mother-in-law from hell.