Coronation Street star Gareth Pierce warns villainous side will return in surprise twist
Coronation Street star Gareth Pierce has revealed that his character Todd Grimshaw’s ‘dark’ and ‘devislish’ side may return following Eileen’s upcoming exit
Corrie star Gareth Pierce hints at dark side of Todd Grimshaw returning
Coronation Street actor Gareth Pierce has revealed that viewers could see the return of his character Todd Grimshaw’s “dark side”, following the exit of his mum Eileen. In the next few months, legendary actress Sue Cleaver, who has played Eileen Grimshaw for 25 years is set to leave the cobbles of Weatherfield.
And this, according to Gareth, 44, may spark the return of Todd’s villainous side as his mum will no longer be there to control his behaviour. Sue announced that she was leaving the soap in January this year amid an ongoing battle with self-criticism. Despite the door being “firmly open” for her return to the cobbles, Sue admitted that she is keen to pursue “new adventures”.
Fans of the show may remember that Todd had embroiled himself in a number of immoral situations, which led to viewers seeing the manipulative and callous side of his character. But he appeared to redeem himself over the years, to become well liked and accepted among the residents of Weatherfield.
Todd Grimshaw and new love interest engaged in a heart to heart on recent episode of Coronation Street
In an interview with Metro, Gareth spoke about how his character Todd will cope without his mum Eileen to help keep him on the straight and narrow.
He told the publication: “I know, yeah, that’ll be interesting, won’t it? That would be a good experiment to see whether the devilish side of Todd emerges more, or less, without his mum keeping an eye.” He added: “Love is absolutely at the core of Todd and Eileen’s relationship, but it is heavily masked by that sarcastic banter and they do absolutely go at each other like vipers sometimes, but it’s because they’re so alike. Todd is very much who he is because of who his mum is.”
Gareth took on the role of Todd five years ago in 2020, replacing the well-known actor Bruno Langley. Back in 2017, Bruno was axed from the much loved ITV soap after being convicted of sexually assaulting two women in a bar, in Manchester. His exit then led the way for producers to find a suitable replacement of his character.
While immersing himself in the role, Gareth explained that his main enjoyment comes from exploring the different sides to his character, who has gone through a number of turbulent events over the years.
He continued: “That’s the great variety of Coronation Street is that you can commit fully to playing darkly comic banter in the Undertakers, then some high emotion in the motor neurone disease storyline last year. I don’t think we should lose that villain either.”
He added: “I don’t know whether we call it villainy anymore with Todd, but certainly his ability to manipulate people – that hasn’t left him. It’s just that he has been in a period now where he’s really trying to be more open, be more genuine and he values his friendships and the people that he loves around him a bit more.”
Gareth Pierce took on the role of Todd Grimshaw in 2020 replacing Bruno Langley
Avid fans of the ITV soap will also see Todd dip his toe back into the dating game following the emergence of scaffolder Theo Silverton, played by James Cartwright. But it seems their chemistry may take a hit at first. However, according to Gareth, Todd may have long-term plans for the pair. He went on to say: “You get this sense that Todd’s a little bit fed up with the dating game. He’s a bit fed up with the apps and the empty hookups. And actually he is looking, I think, for something a little more lasting.”
Gareth is no stranger to taking on huge roles as in 2013, he narrated 11 episodes of Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited, which was a documentary looking at each actor who played the lead role, ahead of the show’s 50th anniversary that year.