Todd Grimshaw
Encyclopedia
Todd James Grimshaw is a fictional character
from the British
television soap opera
Coronation Street
, played by Bruno Langley
. He originally appeared from 13 January 2001 till 22 September 2004 and returned for a brief stint in from 15 October 2007 till 7 November 2007. Langley returned to the role for one episode on 24 April 2011.
Sensitive and temperate compared to his half-brother Jason
(Ryan Thomas
), Todd was a significant character in the life of the long-running television soap opera, as his character struggled with his sexuality to become Coronation Street's first acknowledged gay
character.
), with whom he falls in love, leaving thoughts of university behind in favour of domesticity, much to his mother Eileen
(Sue Cleaver
)'s dismay. Sarah becomes pregnant with Todd's child, her second, at the age of 17. However, changes begin to show in Todd when he becomes infatuated by Sarah's brother Nick Tilsley
(Adam Rickett). After a night out, Todd kisses a sleeping Nick, who wakes up and rebuffs him. Although Nick remains suspicious, Todd is able to cover over the incident as a misguided moment of drunken confusion. However, he later secretly embarks on a relationship with gay nurse, Karl Foster (Chris Finch). They sleep together in Sarah's bed and Todd admits that he enjoys sneaking around behind Sarah's back. Karl ends their relationship when Todd refuses to break up with Sarah, wanting to have Sarah and his child at home and Karl as his 'bit on the side'. Todd then tells Sarah the truth about his sexuality, although he still lies that he has not slept with Karl in their bed. Sarah then suffers a placental abruption, caused by a pre-existing medical condition, and goes into premature labour. She has an emergency caesarean and their son Billy is born, leaving them both on the critical list. Todd shows little concern for Sarah's wellbeing during this time and is only interested in Billy, demanding that Sarah take him to see him. Billy dies 24 hours after his birth.
Although there is conflict with both Sarah's family and his brother Jason, Todd eventually accepts his sexuality and resumes his studies. Jason once jokingly refers to his brother when he is drunk as 'Dr. Toad Grubshaw' after his brother's offer of a place at Oxford. However, on finding Sarah and Jason in bed together, he lashes out and slaps Sarah, despite having been the one to cheat on her in the first place. Todd then goes to live in London after telling Sarah he hopes she finds someone who loved her as much as he did.
On 15 October 2007, Todd returns for Jason's stag party and his wedding to Sarah, caused by her younger brother David Platt
(Jack P. Shepherd
)'s scheming. David had posted an invitation addressed to Todd, forged with Jason's signature. Todd tells Eileen that he has an on/off relationship with his boyfriend Ben and at the stag party cannot even fully say he is in a relationship, and that although he had obtained his law degree, he is doing temporary work until he can find a good job. Jason informs Todd that it was David who sent him the invitation and he wanted Todd to go back to London before Sarah found out. Todd is hurt by this as he thought he had finally been accepted by Jason again, and is mortified about being tricked into returning.
Eileen is thrilled to see Todd and says they should be thanking David instead of sending Todd away. Before Todd can leave, Sarah arrives at the Grimshaws' house and sees him for the first time in three years. After an argument, Jason convinces Sarah that Todd should stay because otherwise David would win. Sarah reluctantly agrees. Jason and Todd then go to his stag party and have a good time, suggesting they put their old differences behind them. Soon after the party starts, they drop by Sarah's house when Sarah calls and are so incoherent that Jason thinks she needs his help. He and Todd accidentally see her in her wedding dress, and she has another tantrum. The next day, Todd confronts Sarah at grandmother Audrey Roberts
(Sue Nicholls
)'s salon where she works and asks her to stop acting like a "selfish cow". They have another argument, but manage to resolve things between them, and promise to leave the past behind. Todd stays for the wedding, and then returns to London.
In April 2011, Todd returns with his wealthy boyfriend Jools to introduce him to Eileen. After having a short confrontation with Sarah's mother Gail
(Helen Worth
), they join Eileen, Jason and Jason's current girlfriend Rosie Webster
(Helen Flanagan
) for dinner. Eileen is upset when Todd says he will be staying with Jools in a hotel. They later go to the Rovers for a drink but Todd is uncomfortable with Eileen's behaviour there and later has a row with Eileen after she calls him a snob. Jason spots him about to leave the next morning and he tells Todd to speak to Eileen before he goes. He does so and apologises for his attitude and explains that he was worried about Jools's reaction to his working class background. Eileen forgives Todd and they hug and he leaves after promising to keep in touch with her more often.
(Sue Cleaver
) and her sons Todd (Langley) and Jason
(Ryan Thomas
).
Todd made his first appearance on 14 January 2001 shortly after him his half brother Jason arrived. Todd is very much the opposite of half brother Jason. He is very shy and lacks confidence. He is also quiet, and caring.
He is best known for being the first gay kiss in Coronation Street
with Nick Tilsley although the kiss sparked a lot of complaints.
On 30 January 2011, it was confirmed that Langley would reprise his role of Todd for a brief return later that year. A spokeswoman said "We are currently in negotiations with Bruno Langley about a short storyline that will see the return of the character Todd Grimshaw." Langley was said to be "over the moon" about coming back to Coronation Street.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
, played by Bruno Langley
Bruno Langley
Bruno Langley is an English actor. He is best known for playing Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street and Adam Mitchell in Doctor Who.- Early life :...
. He originally appeared from 13 January 2001 till 22 September 2004 and returned for a brief stint in from 15 October 2007 till 7 November 2007. Langley returned to the role for one episode on 24 April 2011.
Sensitive and temperate compared to his half-brother Jason
Jason Grimshaw
Jason Grimshaw, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Ryan Thomas, the character first appeared during the episode airing on 25 December 2000, when he comes looking for mother Eileen at the Battersbys' home.Jason is very much the...
(Ryan Thomas
Ryan Thomas
Ryan James Thomas and is an English actor who is currently starring as the character, Jason Grimshaw on ITV's Coronation Street.-Career:...
), Todd was a significant character in the life of the long-running television soap opera, as his character struggled with his sexuality to become Coronation Street's first acknowledged gay
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
character.
2001–11
Highly academic, Todd is poised to sit A-Levels until he gets involved with teenage mother, Sarah-Louise Platt (Tina O'BrienTina O'Brien
Tina O'Brien is an English actress. She is best known for playing the role of Sarah-Louise Platt in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.-Acting career:...
), with whom he falls in love, leaving thoughts of university behind in favour of domesticity, much to his mother Eileen
Eileen Grimshaw
Eileen Grimshaw, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by Sue Cleaver, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 3 May 2000....
(Sue Cleaver
Sue Cleaver
Sue Cleaver is an English actress. She is best known for her regular role in Coronation Street.She studied at the Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre and her first television appearance was a small part in an episode of A Touch of Frost...
)'s dismay. Sarah becomes pregnant with Todd's child, her second, at the age of 17. However, changes begin to show in Todd when he becomes infatuated by Sarah's brother Nick Tilsley
Nick Tilsley
Nicholas Paul "Nick" Tilsley is a fictional character in the British soap opera Coronation Street. Originally known as "Nicky", he was the first-born child of Brian Tilsley and Gail Platt , and has been portrayed by three different actors. Warren Jackson from 1981 to 1996, then by Adam Rickitt...
(Adam Rickett). After a night out, Todd kisses a sleeping Nick, who wakes up and rebuffs him. Although Nick remains suspicious, Todd is able to cover over the incident as a misguided moment of drunken confusion. However, he later secretly embarks on a relationship with gay nurse, Karl Foster (Chris Finch). They sleep together in Sarah's bed and Todd admits that he enjoys sneaking around behind Sarah's back. Karl ends their relationship when Todd refuses to break up with Sarah, wanting to have Sarah and his child at home and Karl as his 'bit on the side'. Todd then tells Sarah the truth about his sexuality, although he still lies that he has not slept with Karl in their bed. Sarah then suffers a placental abruption, caused by a pre-existing medical condition, and goes into premature labour. She has an emergency caesarean and their son Billy is born, leaving them both on the critical list. Todd shows little concern for Sarah's wellbeing during this time and is only interested in Billy, demanding that Sarah take him to see him. Billy dies 24 hours after his birth.
Although there is conflict with both Sarah's family and his brother Jason, Todd eventually accepts his sexuality and resumes his studies. Jason once jokingly refers to his brother when he is drunk as 'Dr. Toad Grubshaw' after his brother's offer of a place at Oxford. However, on finding Sarah and Jason in bed together, he lashes out and slaps Sarah, despite having been the one to cheat on her in the first place. Todd then goes to live in London after telling Sarah he hopes she finds someone who loved her as much as he did.
On 15 October 2007, Todd returns for Jason's stag party and his wedding to Sarah, caused by her younger brother David Platt
David Platt (Coronation Street)
David Daniel Platt is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 26 December 1990 and is portrayed by actor Jack P...
(Jack P. Shepherd
Jack P. Shepherd
Jack Peter Shepherd is an English actor. He plays David Platt in the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street. He joined the show in April 2000, taking over the role from Thomas Ormson.Shepherd was born in Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire....
)'s scheming. David had posted an invitation addressed to Todd, forged with Jason's signature. Todd tells Eileen that he has an on/off relationship with his boyfriend Ben and at the stag party cannot even fully say he is in a relationship, and that although he had obtained his law degree, he is doing temporary work until he can find a good job. Jason informs Todd that it was David who sent him the invitation and he wanted Todd to go back to London before Sarah found out. Todd is hurt by this as he thought he had finally been accepted by Jason again, and is mortified about being tricked into returning.
Eileen is thrilled to see Todd and says they should be thanking David instead of sending Todd away. Before Todd can leave, Sarah arrives at the Grimshaws' house and sees him for the first time in three years. After an argument, Jason convinces Sarah that Todd should stay because otherwise David would win. Sarah reluctantly agrees. Jason and Todd then go to his stag party and have a good time, suggesting they put their old differences behind them. Soon after the party starts, they drop by Sarah's house when Sarah calls and are so incoherent that Jason thinks she needs his help. He and Todd accidentally see her in her wedding dress, and she has another tantrum. The next day, Todd confronts Sarah at grandmother Audrey Roberts
Audrey Roberts
Audrey Roberts is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Sue Nicholls, the character first appeared during the episode aired on 16 April 1979....
(Sue Nicholls
Sue Nicholls
Susan Frances Harmar Nicholls is an English actress, best known today for her long-running role as Audrey Roberts in British soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
)'s salon where she works and asks her to stop acting like a "selfish cow". They have another argument, but manage to resolve things between them, and promise to leave the past behind. Todd stays for the wedding, and then returns to London.
In April 2011, Todd returns with his wealthy boyfriend Jools to introduce him to Eileen. After having a short confrontation with Sarah's mother Gail
Gail Platt
Gail McIntyre is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Helen Worth, the character first appeared on screen on 12 July 1974...
(Helen Worth
Helen Worth
Helen Worth is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of the Coronation Street character Gail McIntyre- Early life :...
), they join Eileen, Jason and Jason's current girlfriend Rosie Webster
Rosie Webster
Rosie Webster is a fictional character in the British television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 24 December 1990. Originally portrayed by actress Emma Collinge from her birth until December 1999, the character has since been...
(Helen Flanagan
Helen Flanagan
Helen Joyce Flanagan is a British actress best known for playing Rosie Webster in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.Flanagan has played Rosie Webster in Coronation Street since 2000, when she was ten years old....
) for dinner. Eileen is upset when Todd says he will be staying with Jools in a hotel. They later go to the Rovers for a drink but Todd is uncomfortable with Eileen's behaviour there and later has a row with Eileen after she calls him a snob. Jason spots him about to leave the next morning and he tells Todd to speak to Eileen before he goes. He does so and apologises for his attitude and explains that he was worried about Jools's reaction to his working class background. Eileen forgives Todd and they hug and he leaves after promising to keep in touch with her more often.
Casting
In 2000 it was announced that a new family unit would arrive in Coronation Street featuring Eileen GrimshawEileen Grimshaw
Eileen Grimshaw, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by Sue Cleaver, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 3 May 2000....
(Sue Cleaver
Sue Cleaver
Sue Cleaver is an English actress. She is best known for her regular role in Coronation Street.She studied at the Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre and her first television appearance was a small part in an episode of A Touch of Frost...
) and her sons Todd (Langley) and Jason
Jason Grimshaw
Jason Grimshaw, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Ryan Thomas, the character first appeared during the episode airing on 25 December 2000, when he comes looking for mother Eileen at the Battersbys' home.Jason is very much the...
(Ryan Thomas
Ryan Thomas
Ryan James Thomas and is an English actor who is currently starring as the character, Jason Grimshaw on ITV's Coronation Street.-Career:...
).
Todd made his first appearance on 14 January 2001 shortly after him his half brother Jason arrived. Todd is very much the opposite of half brother Jason. He is very shy and lacks confidence. He is also quiet, and caring.
He is best known for being the first gay kiss in Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
with Nick Tilsley although the kiss sparked a lot of complaints.
Departure (2004)
In 2004, it was announced that Todd would be leaving, commenting on his departure Bruno Langley said, "I have worked at Coronation Street since I left college at 18 and I feel it is time to develop myself as an actor, The current storyline has been fantastic to play and I am looking forward to seeing how the writers will develop it for my departure."Returns (2007 and 2011)
In 2007, it was announced that Langley would return for thirty episodes speaking of his return a spokesperson said "Todd was always a hugely popular character so the door was left open for Bruno to come back." "It's great news and we're sure viewers will be just as excited as we are." The character returned on 15 October 2007 and left soon after.On 30 January 2011, it was confirmed that Langley would reprise his role of Todd for a brief return later that year. A spokeswoman said "We are currently in negotiations with Bruno Langley about a short storyline that will see the return of the character Todd Grimshaw." Langley was said to be "over the moon" about coming back to Coronation Street.