Coronation Street star admits he was ‘happy to leave’ after making ITV soap history
Todd Boyce has told the Soap from the Box podcast that he was "happy" to leave Coronation Street after playing Weatherfield serial killer Stephen Reid on and off for three decades
Coronation Street’s Todd Boyce has revealed he was “happy” to leave the soap.
The 62-year-old American actor played Weatherfield villain Stephen Reid on and off for almost 30 years. He made his debut as Audrey Roberts’ (Sue Nicholls) son back in 1996.
He first left the cobbles in 1997 but returned for a short stint in 2007 before coming back again in 2022 until he was killed off by Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) in 2023.
During his final stint at Corrie, Todd’s character Stephen was responsible for three deaths and he also tried to kill others. Despite being delighted to have been given such a gripping storyline, he explained the gruelling filming schedule was taking its toll.
Speaking on the Soap from the Box podcast, he told host Lee Salisbury: “I think I broke the record for the number of episodes in a 12 months period. I did 193 episodes and I think Gary Windass [played by Mikey North] is on about 163. I was on the ropes because they were 193 busy episodes, so I was happy to finish.
“I did have the odd scene which wasn’t about me and it was a bit boring as I wanted it to be about Stephen but I became very spoiled and greedy and I was certainly given things to do, which was brilliant.”
Todd also recalled his first day on set at ITV 28 years ago and says that his on-screen mum, sister and love interest were all on hand to lend him support. He said: “”I was anchored with Sue Nicholls and Helen Worth [who plays Gail Platt] so I was just insulated and loved from the start and we just got on so well and I had to do Amanda Barrie. They were these three women who just took me under their wings.
“I remember someone wanted to take me to lunch on my first day. He shall remain nameless and Sue, Helen and Amanda said don’t say a word to him because he might have a tape recorded. Do not say a word about anything you don’t want discussed because he will leak it. They were just brilliant and had my back. I felt cushioned by them and generally everyone.”