Todd Grimshaw and Theo Cunningham’s relationship was once considered a ray of light on Coronation Street – until the writers decided to turn it all around.

This week, Theo reveals his true nature: controlling, jealous and dangerous, leaving Todd in a state of extreme fear.

In previous episodes, viewers saw Todd happy – he believed that after his breakup, he had found a good lover.

But in Weatherfield, happiness always has an expiry date.

Spoilers show Theo starting to interfere in Todd’s life: checking his phone, asking “Where are you going?”, “Who are you texting?” in a sweet but threatening tone.

Todd climaxes when he discovers Theo has installed a mini camera in the living room “for safety”. When Todd questions, Theo laughs: “I just want to protect you.” Todd doesn’t answer, but his eyes are red. A man who has been the victim of betrayal is now trapped in a new toxic relationship.

A behind-the-scenes source reveals this week’s nail-biter: Todd flees his apartment and goes to Billy Mayhew’s (his ex). Billy grabs him and asks, “What happened to you?” Todd bursts into tears, his hands shaking, saying just four words: “He’s stalking me.” Meanwhile, Theo smashes things, calls repeatedly, and leaves messages: “If you don’t come back, I won’t be responsible for what I did.”

Fans have called this the “Domestic Abuse Arc” of the year, reflecting the reality of sophisticated controlling relationships that often isolate victims.

Todd isn’t all bad, however. At the end of the week, the trailer shows him secretly recording Theo’s threats – and the next episode could see a heated confrontation between the two men, as Todd is forced to choose: run away, or fight back.