Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) is in hell. While initially tumultuous, his relationship with Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) has descended into a nightmarish cycle of coercion, violence and torture in Coronation Street.

Theo and Todd took centre stage this week in an episode told purely through the lens of security cameras, CCTV and police bodycam footage, after another incident between the two results in the emergency services being called to the cobbles.

Fans are clamouring for the day that Todd escapes his increasingly dangerous boyfriend.

We’re left to wonder, though, who could potentially save him from his current hideous predicament?

Theo was initially presented as sympathetic. He’d undergone sick conversion therapy, which had left him with deep psychological wounds. As Todd pursued their relationship, and after some back-and-forth’ing, Theo made the big decision to leave his wife, Danielle (Natalie Anderson), and live in his truth as a gay man.

Danielle entered into a relationship with the man who performed the evil conversion therapy, Noah Hedley (Richard Winsor), with a vitriolic battle over the couples children ensuing.

Early on, there were numerous red flags, with behaviour that couldn’t be simply dismissed by Theo’s traumatic past. He darkly threatened James Bailey (Jason Callender) to stay away from Todd, historical violent incidents came to light, and he made clear that he wanted Todd to cut ex-boyfriend Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) out of his life.

‘He’s trying to be understanding of Theo’, actor Gareth said. ‘He’s been suppressing his sexuality for so long, Todd is trying to encourage him towards being someone that can be comfortable in their new gay identity.

‘I think Todd has spotted many things from Theo, but he still has the mindset that he can fix this and because of the love that’s there, he’s thinking they will get through it.’

Theo’s sinister coercion gave way to physical humiliation when he force-fed Todd a kebab while verbally degrading him in truly horrifying scenes, though his manipulative streak saw him manage to worm his way back into Todd’s life with promises of therapy and change.

A day drinking session in Manchester’s gay village saw more of Theo’s history come to light, when he encountered an ex-boyfriend, Owen (Dominic Vulliamy).

Owen had escaped Theo’s abuse and, after seeking help, saw Theo for what he truly is. Making it clear that Theo could no longer use the church, religion or Danielle as excuses for his monstrous behaviour, he proclaimed: ‘It’s you, it’s in you.’

Theo used this as another tactic to manipulate Todd, disappearing and later cheating on him with Pete Lang (Andrew Hayden-Smith), humiliating him by pouring a bottle of milk over his head and actively destroying his relationship with friend, father figure and business partner, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley).

Later stepping up his torment, Theo had begun making comments about Todd’s appearance while convincing him to take part in gruelling and painful exercise in a bid to gain further control, later smashing his face into a mirror.

‘It’s another escalation, and it’s both shocking and terrifying for Todd,’ actor James Cartwright explained. ‘Theo just blows up when he doesn’t seem to be able to talk about his feelings. He can’t express himself so he loses his temper, and he becomes very volatile to be around.’

Theo managed to convince Todd that he’d ‘fallen’ into the mirror, while Todd himself lied to a nurse who’d clearly recognised the signs of abuse.

Todd still has allies. George deeply cares for him and, despite their recent rift, is intent on restoring their relationship, with his partner, Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) supporting him.

Another of Todd’s exes turned friends, Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien), is another who’s questioned Theo in the past, alongside Billy.

But can any of them come to Todd’s aid?