Todd Grimshaw is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, formerly played by Bruno Langley from 2001 to 2017, and now played by Gareth Pierce. The character's debut was broadcast on 14 January 2001. He was introduced as part of the Grimshaw family, formed around the established character Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver).
Todd was the programme's first gay character, which generated much coverage in the British media. The coming out storyline was credited with helping Coronation Street portray a more accurate depiction of society in the 21st century.
The character's storylines have mainly focused on his relationships with Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien), Karl Foster (Chris Finch), Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou) and Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank). Langley decided to leave the show in 2004 but returned for brief appearances in 2007 and 2011. The actor agreed to reprise the role on a permanent basis in 2013. Todd remained a part of the series until Langley's contract was terminated following legal issues in 2017. It was announced in July 2020 that Todd was to return, with the role having been recast to Pierce; Todd returned on 9 October 2020.
Development Family The Grimshaws are often portrayed as arguing rivals in their scenes. Todd and his eldest brother Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) are portrayed as "bickering brothers". Jason is often cheeky to their mother, Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver). Thomas told a reporter from Soaplife that he and Langley were best friends off-screen.
Early relationships Todd begins a relationship with Candice Stowe (Nikki Sanderson), before romancing Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien). She later ends their relationship because she wants to date Aidan "Ade" Critchley (Dean Ashton). Langley and O'Brien were in a relationship and she told Frances Traynor from the Daily Record that acting out their break-up was not strange. Todd then resumes his previous relationship with Candice. However, Todd soon returns to Sarah. She decides to sleep with Todd on her sixteenth birthday; storyline was controversial, and nine viewers contacted the Independent Television Commission. The organisation investigated the scenes and cleared Coronation Street of breaching guidelines. They praised them for building a relationship between the two characters and viewed it as a mature decision. Prior to this, Langley's friends would tease him because Todd was a virgin. O'Brien told Steve Hendry from the Sunday Mail that Sarah is "a bit dependent on Todd". In June 2003, Alex Tate from The People reported that Sarah-Louise would dump Todd. Sarah fears that she and Bethany are preventing Todd from succeeding at Oxford University. However, Sarah and Todd move into a flat together. Sarah's daughter Bethany Platt (Amy and Emily Walton) electrocutes herself, and Todd finds her unconscious; this accident prompts Gail Platt (Helen Worth) to involve social services.
Sexuality In March 2003, Polly Graham from the Sunday Mirror reported that executive producer Kieran Roberts wanted Todd to become the show's first gay character. The show confirmed that had discussed the possibility but nothing has been decided upon. On 22 August 2003, it was reported that Todd would befriend Sarah's brother, Nick Tilsley (Adam Rickett) and kiss him. However, Nick does not reciprocate. A show spokesperson said that the storyline was a "groundbreaking move" and predicted a varied and "huge reaction" from viewers. They told a reporter from the Liverpool Echo that Todd had always questioned his sexuality. They added that "the storyline came naturally out of the character. It is being handled extremely sensitively." In October a spokesperson commented that "this is just the start. It's not a case of having a gay kiss just for titillation's sake. Todd will continue to struggle with his feelings, not for Nick, but general confusion over his sexuality." Approximately fourteen million viewers watched the kiss and sixteen complaints were filed.
Todd kissed Karl Foster (Chris Finch) and began an affair. The decision was made to film the scenes in the centre of Manchester's Gay Village, Canal Street. As the kiss was filmed, revellers on the street cheered at the actors. Langley was worried about portraying the issue led story correctly. He told Billy Sloan of the Sunday Mail that the crowd approval made him believe he was doing it right. Filming inside the street's nightclubs was carried out while actual drinkers were having their nights out. Thirty extras were hired to make the clubs look busier. Langley thought the location shoot was advantageous because "it gave you a real feeling of the atmosphere. It was very different from being on the normal Corrie set." A spokesperson added that it was the beginning of Todd's realisation about his sexuality. While kissing Karl, Todd sees Sarah approaching, and is "mortified", but she fails to notice Todd and Karl's kiss.
The storyline sparks a fight between Eileen and Gail. Eileen attacks Gail after she brands Todd a "two-timing, twisted, lying pervert". The two proceed to pull each other's hair out in the street.
Departure (2004) In May 2004, it was announced that Langley had decided to leave Coronation Street. He stated that he had spent happy years with the show, but felt it was the correct time to leave. The producers did not expect Langley to leave, and had planned his sexuality storyline for two years in advance. They were shocked by the actor's decision to leave, and had to revise the storyline to facilitate Langley's impending departure. They decided not to kill Todd, making it possible for Langley to reprise the role. Todd decides to leave Weatherfield when he discovers Jason and Sarah in bed together. The show's producer Tony Wood added that Langley "has been an asset to the show and his portrayal of the sexually confused Todd has been superb." Daran Little, who wrote Todd's coming out storyline, told Daniel Martin and Jason Deans from The Guardian that he wanted to create a spin-off show focusing on Todd living in London. Langley was asked to return at various points, but could not do so due to other work commitments.
Returns
In 2007, Langley returned to the show to film fifteen episodes as Todd. Langley said that he would return again because he enjoyed filming scenes with the Grimshaw family. In 2009, Thomas asked the new producer Kim Crowther if she would reintroduce the character.
On 30 January 2011, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy revealed that Todd would return to Coronation Street. A spokesperson told Kilkelly that "we are currently in negotiations with Bruno Langley about a short storyline." Langley was on a theatre tour when asked to return. He split his time between Leeds and Manchester to film Todd's reappearance, which was for a single episode broadcast on 24 April 2011. Despite the return, Langley filmed over five days and decided to convey that Todd had changed. However, he noted that Todd "is essentially the same guy – he's just grown up." Todd returns to visit Eileen, and introduces her to his new boyfriend, Jools Creme (Ben Allen). Langley told Kilkelly that Todd and Jools must be in a serious relationship because Todd has never introduced a boyfriend to his family. Jools is middle-class and Todd had been treated as a guest at posh parties. Langley explained that Todd is nervous because residents of Weatherfield are completely different from Jools. It was also revealed that Gail would not welcome Todd's return and brands him a "gay gold-digger".
Reintroduction On 17 August 2012, Langley revealed that he would like to return to the show. On 5 June 2013, it was announced that the character would be returning to Coronation Street, with Langley returning as a regular cast member. Executive producer Stuart Blackburn told an itv.com reporter that "Todd is a much loved character who has real history on the show and his return will leave Eileen with some impossible choices." Langley said it was a great time to reprise the role and explore how Todd has changed whilst living in London. He added that he was happy to see the Grimshaw family reunited. Langley returned to filming on 27 August and his first scenes aired on 4 November 2013. Nick Owens from the Daily Mirror reported that Todd's return would see him attempt to ruin Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou) and Maria Connor's (Samia Ghadie) relationship.
Upon his return Todd is played as a manipulative liar. Langley told Mark James Lowe from All About Soap that Todd had a job and a boyfriend in London but soon lost everything. Todd behaved badly and "burnt his bridges" with those he knew. When Todd arrives back he is untruthful with his family. His ex-boyfriend Alex Hughes (Nathan Ives-Moiba) arrives claiming that Todd has stolen his money. Langley explained that Todd does not like being exposed as a liar because he enjoys Eileen viewing him as the "better son". The actor told David Brown from Radio Times that Todd is concerned about the way Eileen views him, but does not care what other residents think. Todd has no worries about seeing Nick (now played by Ben Price) and Gail again, but upon doing so he is confronted with his past. The change of behavior continues as Todd manipulates Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) into convincing Eileen to ask him to stay. Langley explained that Todd "knows that Sean fancies him so he uses that against him. He manipulates Sean into speaking to Eileen and his plan works. Eileen wants him to stay, which makes Todd very pleased with himself."
Langley also confirmed reports that Todd would attempt to steal Marcus away from Maria. He added that Todd would manipulate and use Sean in his efforts to impress and attract Marcus. However, Maria is unaware of Todd's intentions towards her partner. Of Todd's motives, Langley said that "he likes a challenge and I guess he's probably one of those people who likes the drama of splitting couples up. It's all for his own ego and just to prove that he can." The actor was happy with Todd's changed personality. He noted that Todd spent years living away from home and it would have been a bad decision for him to return exactly the same person. Todd's manipulation of Sean is soon exposed by Brian Packham (Peter Gunn). Todd reveals that he could never be attracted to Sean and Brian informs him. To gain revenge, Todd exposes secrets to his girlfriend Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh). Langley told a reporter from New! that "[Todd] was really angry so [he] decided to wreck his relationship with Julie."
Affair with Marcus Dent