Soaps

Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street: His troubled past and turbulent love life

The lawyer turned undertaker is never far away from trouble!

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Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street is the troublesome son of Eileen Phelan. He’s brother to Jason Grimshaw, former fiance of Billy Mayhew and one-time guardian of Summer Spellman.

Todd’s a magnet for trouble (Credit: ITV)

Todd was once an aspiring lawyer, but one brush with the law too many meant he had to change careers and he’s now learning all about the funeral business alongside his mum’s new squeeze George Shuttleworth.

Who plays Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street?

The first actor to play Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street was Bruno Langley. He joined the show in 2001 when he was still a teenager.

Bruno stayed until 2004, then left to gain experience on the stage.

He played roles in many shows including Flashdance, Calendar Girls, and the touring production of The Mousetrap. He returned to Coronation Street in 2013.

Todd Grimshaw Coronation Street
Bruno Langley was the first actor to play Todd (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

But in 2017, Bruno’s contract with Corrie was terminated after he pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault.

In 2020, the role of Todd was recast with Gareth Pierce taking on the part. Gareth, who speaks Welsh, had already been on screen in Pobol y Cwym, Y Gwyll and Cara Fi. He’d also been in Mr Selfridge and Ordinary Lies, on stage at The Globe Theatre, and starred as Gavin Moss in The Archers on Radio Four.

Todd was recast with Gareth Pierce taking on the role (Credit: ITV)

Gareth is married to Amy Lee Pierce and the couple have a daughter.

Struggles with his sexuality

Back when Todd first arrived in Coronation Street, he romanced Candice Stowe and then Sarah Louise Platt. But in 2003, it was announced that he would struggle with his sexuality and become Corrie’s first gay character.

Todd kissed Nick – then played by Adam Rickitt – when he was struggling with his sexuality (Credit: ITV/YouTube)

Todd kissed Sarah’s brother Nick Tilsley – though Nick didn’t kiss him back – in scenes that became part of Corrie history. And then he began a romance with Karl Foster.

Todd’s return

After a brief return in 2007, Todd came back to Corrie in 2013 and he was not nice!

He arrived with a bang, determined to break up Maria Connor and Marcus Dent and carried on causing trouble.

Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street
Todd went on the run (Credit: ITV)

After Bruno Langley was sacked, Todd was written out by going on the run with Summer, because he and Billy feared she was going to be sent back to her grandmother. Todd assaulted a police officer and, after sending Summer home, legged it.

Todd comes back

When Todd returned, played by Gareth Pierce, he set about breaking up Billy and Paul Foreman.

Todd is a master manipulator (Credit: ITV)

With their romance in ruins, Todd and Billy rekindled their relationship and Todd proposed.

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But when Billy found out just what lengths Todd had gone to in order to manipulate him into breaking up with Paul, he was furious and called off their romance.

Now Todd’s working at the funeral director’s, and trying to make amends. He’s single and doesn’t even seem to be interested in replacing Billy. He’s been super quiet lately, keeping his head down and seemingly on the straight and narrow. But has he turned over a new leaf? We’re not convinced!

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know!


Kerry Barrett
Freelance Soap Writer