Corrie newcomer says ‘I nearly had a panic attack’ as he makes admission
Corrie newcomer James Cartwright said “I nearly had a panic attack” as he made an admission on Wednesday (July 2).
The 40-year-old actor, who plays Theo Silverton in the popular ITV soap, appeared on today’s Lorraine to discuss his character’s forthcoming plotline.
However, the conversation took an unforeseen turn when James made a candid confession that left presenter Lorraine Kelly speechless.
“It’s so good to see you,” Lorraine began, with James promptly responding: “It’s a tonic, Lorraine.”
After watching a clip of his character Theo experiencing a panic attack, James admitted: “I must admit, I nearly had a panic attack coming on here this morning, because I have a confession to make,” reports Leicestershire Live.
James Cartwright appeared on Lorraine on Wednesday (July 2)
“My confession is that you’re my celebrity crush,” he continued, leaving a surprised Lorraine to exclaim: “Oh, behave!”
James elaborated: “Literally since I was in shorts and you were in shoulder pads. I remember I’d sit with my grandma, and we’d sit and watch you on telly. Oh gosh, you’re brilliant, you’re bright, you’re effervescent… Anyway, I had to tell you that.”
Lorraine then said: “Oh, bless you! Weird celebrity crushes. That’s funny.”
Elsewhere in the interview, James hinted at a “dark” storyline for Todd Grimshaw as his relationship with Theo continues to evolve on Coronation Street.
Todd and Theo first crossed paths back in March, where it was disclosed that the newcomer was married to a woman named Danielle (Natalie Anderson), with whom he shares two children.
Lorraine Kelly was left speechless when James made an admission(Image: ITV)
Theo confided in Todd about his struggle to hide his sexuality, a result of his deeply religious parents forcing him into conversion therapy during his youth.
“This idea that you can change your sexuality, you can’t change your sexuality no more than you can change the colour of your eyes,” James shared on today’s Lorraine.
“It is what it is, and I think it’s an interesting thing to explore in terms of the majority of people not knowing it is a thing, but it is a thing.”
Lorraine chimed in: “You wouldn’t, you absolutely wouldn’t, and that’s why it’s so important that Corrie are tackling something like this because they do it so well.”
James plays Theo Silverton in the hit ITV soap(Image: ITV)
James also hinted at potential peril for Todd, following fans’ growing concern for the character in recent months.
Theo’s erratic behaviour has been a cause for worry as he has consistently vented his anger on others and himself.
“You can’t tell us too much, but it is going to get a little bit dark with you and the triangle and Todd,” Lorraine probed.
James responded: “I think it goes that way. The thing with Theo is he’s a very complicated man and although I don’t think he’s malicious, I don’t think he’s a psychopath or a sociopath or anything like that, but he’s a complicated man.
“People with baggage, what you realise as you get older is they don’t change. You want to change them, you can’t change them. But you love them, what do you do?”