This year’s Christmas on Coronation Street was devoid of peaceful chime, only the screeching of police sirens tearing through the winter night and the image of Todd Grimshaw being led away in handcuffs.

It all began with what seemed like a romantic relationship between Todd and Theo, but as time went on, terrifying signs of control and psychological manipulation became increasingly apparent.

Theo wasn’t just ordinarily jealous. He controlled Todd in the smallest things: what he ate, who he met, who he talked to.

Todd’s phone was smashed, his relationships were severed, and the apartment gradually became a suffocating space where Todd had no freedom.

When Todd tried to end the relationship, Theo didn’t let go but reacted by locking him in the bedroom all night, as a form of cold punishment.

The climax occurred during a violent argument. Theo fell, hit his head on the glass, and lost consciousness. Bernie, hearing a loud noise, panicked and called the police. But the breathtaking twist was that Todd – not Theo – was the one handcuffed and taken to the station. In his panic, Todd chose to remain silent, only saying they “argued like any other couple,” concealing the truth that he was a victim of psychological abuse.

At the police station, Todd tried to explain that he was only acting in self-defense, that Theo was stronger and more dangerous than he appeared. But without evidence, Todd’s words were weak. Meanwhile, Theo left the hospital looking pitiful, quickly garnering sympathy from those around him and reinforcing his image as the “victim.”