Coronation Street’s new Todd Grimshaw star has revealed he would love if Ryan Thomas returned to the cobbles, reprising his role as Jason Grimshaw.
Gareth Pierce has replaced Bruno Langley as former lawyer Todd, returning to Weatherfield this week for the first time in three years.
Todd’s mum, Eileen Grimshaw, is overjoyed to see her long-lost son return, after locals had feared for his safety following his sudden and dramatic disappearance.
However, Todd’s return is bittersweet, as he reveals he is being hunted by a dangerous criminal named Mick Costello.
Begging Eileen (Sue Cleaver) to fake his death, Todd threatens to leave Weatherfield forever unless she concedes to his demands, fearing for his life.
Todd’s half-brother Jason, played by Ryan, hasn’t been seen on the street since 2016, having decided to leave England behind for an exotic move to Thailand.
Gareth Pierce has replaced Bruno Langley as Todd Grimshaw (Image: ITV)
Ahead of his first appearance on the cobbles, actor Gareth suggested Jason’s return would be a welcome one, as the Grimshaw family is plunged into danger.
When asked whether he would like to see the brothers reunite, he said: “Absolutely, I think that would be exciting to do that, if that ever came about.”
The 39-year-old, who is originally from Wales, also revealed all trace of Bruno – whose contract was terminated in 2017 – has been wiped from the Corrie studios.
Eileen Grimshaw moved into number 11 Coronation Street with her two sons – Todd and Jason (Image: Press Association)
He said: “I don’t know Ryan. We haven’t met or worked together before, but it’s really funny actually, because the on-set family photos, in number 11, in the Grimshaw’s house, all the Todd ones are now of my childhood, pictures from my childhood.
“Then they’re mixed in with Ryan’s childhood photos as Jason. It does oddly feel that this brotherly connection even though we haven’t met.”
Gareth isn’t the only star keen for Ryan’s return – Sue, who plays his onscreen mum Eileen, revealed she has been “badgering” him for a comeback.
Todd reveals he is being hunted down by a dangerous gangster named Mick
Speaking to Inside Soap back in April, she said: “I’d love Ryan Thomas to come back and I do keep badgering him all the time.”
However, Sue pointed out Ryan had his hands full, having recently become a father to his first child with wife-to-be Lucy Mecklenburgh.
She continued: “But he’s become a social media influencer and he’s just had another baby, who I haven’t met yet because we are in lockdown. But I’ll be on his case for the rest of eternity, though!”
Sue Cleaver admitted she has been “badgering” Ryan to return (Image: ITV)
Could Todd’s return signal a long-awaited reunion in the Grimshaw household?
When it comes to stepping into the role of Todd, and replacing former actor Bruno on the soap, Gareth wasn’t fazed by the prospect of taking on a pre-established character on the cobbles.
He said: “I can see how it might be daunting.
“But me, I’ve tried to flip that into a great advantage really, because you’re stepping into something where there’s already 16-plus years of a complex back story, of really kind of complicated and nuanced relationships with all of these characters.
“We’re quite used as actors to fast-forwarding relationships. You’re very often going to be meeting someone in the morning and then at lunchtime you’re playing a mother’s son, you’re playing lovers, you’re player father-daughter.
“You’re having to suggest 30 years of shared experience with one tiny look in a scene with someone quite often that you’ve only met that day anyway.”
His return means Todd will be forced to face up to past demons, patching things up with ex-lover Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) while trying to keep mum Eileen removed from his life of crime.
Will Todd’s return to the cobbles be a lasting one, or will he be forced to go back on the run?
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8pm on ITV
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
