Coronation Street aired some scenes on Thursday night which implied that evil Theo Silverton could walk free. The scaffolder, played by James Cartwright, has been abusing partner Todd Grimshaw as part of a harrowing storyline that finally came to a head earlier this week.
In a special episode, viewers watched as a bloodied and battered Todd gave his account to police as an official investigation was launched. Todd’s best friend, Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien), was amongst those to raise the alarm, and, as Todd lay in hospital recovering from his barbaric injuries, she tried to help once again.
Sarah is aware that there is footage that could be the evidence needed to convict Theo of his crimes on a tablet, and spotted the opportunity to seize the device when the scaffolder left his van open on the latest instalment of the world’s longest-running TV soap.
But typically, Theo caught Sarah red-handed and had her pinned up against the door of his van. Terrified, she said: ” I’m going. And if you stop me, I will scream,” but Theo shot back: “Well, I’m gonna call the police. So you can explain yourself to them, can’t you?” Later, it emerged that Theo had in fact called the police. Following a trip to the station, which did not appear on screen, Sarah and her boyfriend, DC Kit Green, arrived home, where he had some stern words for her.
She said: “I didn’t break in, actually, it was already open. I wouldn’t have had to if Theo was behind bars where he should’ve been!” but Kit explained: “Right, well, we can only hold him for 24 hours without charging. We don’t have enough evidence yet.
“Even if you’d shown up with evidence saying you’d got it from his van, Theo’s lawyer would get it thrown out like that. And if he has a good lawyer, he might even say he’s the victim in this, that all this was a set-up.” Towards the end of the episode, Sarah went to visit Todd in the hospital where she apologised for her actions and revealed she had been left off with a caution. Todd accepted her apology but warned: “Theo won’t stop. He won’t stop until he’s broken me completely.”
Fans will know that Theo is one of five potential victims in an upcoming murder plot which could see fellow antagonists Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon), Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard), or Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances-Brown) killed off. Just whether Theo will actually walk free from his crimes or meet his maker remains to be seen.
Following the recent special episode of Coronation Street, which saw Theo placed finally placed in a cell after Todd’s close friends came to his rescue, viewers immediately took to social media to share their reactions, with one writing: “Oh my Days I think I’ve just used a full box of tissues.
“One of the most distressing, moving and amazing acting I’ve ever seen on Corrie! Well done for bring Domestic violence to the forefront.”
Another said: “Spoilers, but tonight’s episode is so powerful. It’s heartbreaking but so important. I hope this helps people to reach out for help. The last few minutes were so moving, it really got to me. I don’t think Theo will be killed, it’s too obvious, I hope he goes to prison.”
A third wrote: “Excellent episode tonight. It reminded me so much of how I felt 20 years ago. How I was scared to stay, but scared to leave. And I’m glad they mentioned honour abuse because that badly needed saying. WELL DONE.”
A fourth said: “Absolutely Heartbreaking & a hard watch[heartbroken emoji] but today’s episode was brilliant. Gareth pierce, the actor you are truly a fantastic performance throughout this storyline he has been outstanding and Lisa’s monologue at the end, was powerful what a scene!”
