Category Entertainment News

Exclusive: Coronation Street actor Gareth Pierce, who plays Todd Grimshaw, is stepping into one of his darkest storylines so far, and his family can hardly bear to watch

Instead of lapping up his latest dramatic storyline, Corrie actor Gareth Pierce says his family can hardly bear to watch it. Likewise, fans who originally championed the romance between his character, Todd Grimshaw and hunky scaffolder Theo Silverton, have warned him to steer clear of his new love.

Tortured Theo (James Cartwright), left his wife and kids after falling for undertaker Todd, having suppressed his homosexuality since undergoing conversion therapy at the hands of Noah Hedley (Richard Winsor), a church clerk, who is now dating his ex.

And in a shocking twist, viewers will see Theo becoming increasingly abusive towards Todd – isolating him from his family and friends, before turning to violence.

READ MORE: Coronation Street star now working in coffee van after huge blow to acting career

Gareth, who has played Todd for five years, tells the Mirror: “My wife and daughter dip into Coronation Street occasionally and they’re hugely supportive, but this story will be a very uncomfortable watch for any family member of mine.

“Even my parents may find moments that they don’t really enjoy watching. Todd is in danger. Theo’s behaviour is becoming increasingly controlling, and there’s a moment coming up where it becomes physically abusive for the first time. There’s a line that has definitely been crossed; it will be hard to watch.”

The relationship will turn violent next month, after Theo makes Todd promise not to speak to vicar Billy Mayhew – his ex-boyfriend-turned close friend – anymore.

When Theo returns home one evening to find the place empty, he is furious to discover that Todd is in the pub with Billy, and so downs a bottle of brandy before violently confronting the undertaker on his return.

Revealing the reaction of Corrie fans, Gareth says: “When I’m out doing my shopping, people come up and say, ‘That Theo’s no good, you want to get out!’ I’ll reply,’ You might be right, we’ll have to see, but I do as I’m told, I’m not the writer!’”

Gareth, 44, was born in Pwllheli, north Wales, where he lived until he was nine. “My dad was in the military, so we moved around quite a lot as a family after that – not just in the UK, but also in Europe. I speak fluent Welsh and English, and my French, German and Italian are pretty good too,” he says.

A bit of a class joker, he says this encouraged his teachers to put him on stage when he was 11. “I really lived for making my mates laugh,” he recalls. “It occurred to the school to stick me on stage. Once I had this outlet for that side of my personality, I calmed down.”

At 16, he was accepted into the National Youth Theatre in London, before studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. His first TV role was in 2002 in the BBC Wales series First Degree.

He was also in the S4C series Caerdydd for four years, saying: “I started out playing a lot of geeks, but I then played a soldier coming back from Iraq in the feature film Cymru Fach, which was the first more hard-edged character. I was able to root that quite a lot in my childhood, growing up in a military family. On the back of that, I was in a series called Y Pris, playing a sociopathic skinhead – he was horrible.”

In turn, he says this landed him a year-long role as Lenny Mac, an abusive drug dealer and jailbird in Stella, which had an all-star cast led by Ruth Jones. He also enjoyed theatre work, including a stint at London’s Globe Theatre and in 2020 joined the cast of Radio 4’s The Archers as Gavin, the son of Philip Moss.

Later that year, he joined Corrie, playing Todd, replacing Bruno Langley, who had left the show. “I knew there were going to be plenty of eyes on the re-cast and whether it was going to work or not,” Gareth acknowledges. “But I saw it as a great opportunity to play a character who was established and complex and had these rich shared histories with other characters.

“I watched the previous actor’s depiction, so I could zone in on some of his key traits, but then it became about building my own performance and focusing on things that came more naturally to me as a performer, rather than trying to match the previous depiction.”

And Todd’s character has come full circle, starting as a sneaky schemer and now revealing his vulnerable side after meeting Theo. Gareth warns that the couple’s relationship will become increasingly abusive over the coming weeks and months, revealing: “It’s emotional control and body image. Theo has already tried to get Todd on a fitness kick, and he starts to make the odd comment about Todd’s body. Theo is fighting on a few fronts to chip away at Todd’s self-esteem.

“Further down the road, there’s financial control. It’s very frustrating for the audience. They just want to shout, ‘run!’ I think that’s quite close to real life. We can be objective about other people’s relationships sooner than we can be about our own.

“So, the audience is a little further ahead than Todd in recognising what’s going on. The audience is also party to a couple of occasional sadistic glances from Theo that Todd doesn’t see.”

James Cartwright and Gareth – who were both in The Archers – have found the storyline intense at times. “Between scenes we get a cuppa together and have a good laugh,” Gareth says. “You need that when the story is quite dark. James is a genuinely lovely guy in real life, so it can’t be easy playing such a sadistic character.”

In real life, Gareth loves keeping fit and unwinds from work with endurance sports, including cycling, swimming, hiking, trail running and triathlons. “I’ll always try to put that into my day if I can,” he says.

“I try to organise at least one charity event a year. This year, I’ve done a Cardiff to Tenby 100-mile bike ride to raise money for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff. I also partner with Age UK, and two years ago, I did the SAS Fan Dance, which is based on part of the SAS selection course.”

Gareth is also a talented singer and musician. He’s been in several bands over the years, including the indie group Hafaliadau = Equations, which released a Welsh-speaking album in 2008.

Also the drummer in two heavy metal bands – Survivalists and Brandyman – he says: “We had quite a cult following. I had a Freddie Mercury moustache and wore sleeveless tops.

“I’ve always been into heavy metal, punk and hardcore, and I worked for Rock Sound magazine for quite a few years. I miss it; I’m planning to get an electronic drum kit soon.”

Eagle-eyed Corrie fans noticed in a recent episode two tattoos on Todd’s calves, which he had done during his heavy metal days. “There was always a part of me that wanted tattoos, but another part of me thought they weren’t great for an actor, because they can get you typecast,” he says.

“I waited until eight years ago and decided to get them on my legs, so they’re not always visible. There are a few different bits, but primarily there’s a stag with a rising sun and an owl with a moon. They do have some significance, but I also just like that neo-traditional style.

“We’ve always shot around them on screen. Then, more recently, we decided that there was no real reason that Todd couldn’t have explored some tattoo culture off-screen during his London years!”

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk

READ MORE: This Morning’s Sian Welby makes an ITV return in a high street Chanel-inspired co-ord

Mum-of-five, Katie Price, has a volatile relationship with most of her exes, but there is one who her family still talk to – 13 years after they broke up

Katie Price has revealed the one ex-boyfriend her family still speak to – 13 years after they broke up. The mum-of-five, 47, who has a volatile relationship with most of her exes, spoke was reminded of her former flame on the latest episode of her podcast.

When she was 34, Katie embarked on a passionate relationship with Argentinian hunk, Leandro Penna, now 39, after meeting at one of Elton John’s parties.

They ended up getting engaged before calling it quits soon after, with Leandro claiming Katie ‘drove him insane.’ However, the glamour icon’s sister, Sophie, revealed the star’s family still speak to the polo player. It comes as Katie’s other ex, Alex Reid, promised to ‘reveal the truth’ about the model after leaking a video of the star appearing to count wads of cash after declaring herself bankrupt.

READ MORE: Katie Price and Alex Reid’s brutal break-up as he wages war against ‘fame seeker’READ MORE: Katie Price reveals only man she’s ever truly loved – and it’s none of her husbands

Opening up about her fondness for Leo, Sophie, said: “Do you know what, I like Leo. I do like Leo and (my husband) Harry still talks to Leo now and then on Facebook. And he sort of says, ‘How are you?'”

Katie’s whirlwind relationship with the Argentine came two years after her split from Peter Andre. They, of course, had to put up with a language barrier, with Katie not speaking any of Leo’s native Spanish, however, they made it work via the ‘language of love’.

“If life isn’t for livin’ and lovin’, then what is it for? And anyway – three is a lucky number,” she told The Sun after getting engaged.

Katie and Leo eventually split at the end of 2012, after a flurry of fiery rows, with Leo later claiming he dumped the OnlyFans star because she was driving him “insane”.

Speaking to Caras magazine in Argentina, he said at the time of their break-up: “I left her simply because she is crazy. Katie’s brain is not wired right, or the wires don’t connect properly.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with her. I was thinking it over recently and one day I packed my bags and left.

“There was nothing else I could do. She was driving me insane.”

Leo added: “That’s it, there’s no going back.”

In contrast, Katie said she wished her ex well, but her generosity didn’t last long.

After their split, the glamour icon claimed she had been forced to hand back her engagement ring.

The allegation was made during a X/Twitter exchange with her friend when presenter, Phil Turner, tweeted in 2013: “I’m sorry to hear your heart ring has been repossessed.”

To which Katie replied: “Just did (hand it back)! That man took advantage of my generosity if only peeps could see the emails all over Christmas him wanting me back. (sic)”

Katie’s spokesperson told the Evening Standard at the time: “Katie found out that the ring had not been paid for by Leo and so has returned it rather than have the jeweller out of pocket and Leo pursued for the debt.”

However, Leandro slammed Katie’s version of events, saying the ring didn’t arrive until after they had broken-up, and claimed it was The Pricey who ordered the sparkler for herself.

He told the outlet: “The ring in question has never been in my possession. It was a ring Katie Price designed, ordered and had delivered directly to herself from her personal jeweller.”

READ MORE: This £14 de-tangling brush is ‘so gentle on hair’ that it reduces breakage by 77%

Mum-of-five, Katie Price, has a volatile relationship with most of her exes, but there is one who her family still talk to – 13 years after they broke up

Katie Price has revealed the one ex-boyfriend her family still speak to – 13 years after they broke up. The mum-of-five, 47, who has a volatile relationship with most of her exes, spoke was reminded of her former flame on the latest episode of her podcast.

When she was 34, Katie embarked on a passionate relationship with Argentinian hunk, Leandro Penna, now 39, after meeting at one of Elton John’s parties.

They ended up getting engaged before calling it quits soon after, with Leandro claiming Katie ‘drove him insane.’ However, the glamour icon’s sister, Sophie, revealed the star’s family still speak to the polo player. It comes as Katie’s other ex, Alex Reid, promised to ‘reveal the truth’ about the model after leaking a video of the star appearing to count wads of cash after declaring herself bankrupt.

READ MORE: Katie Price and Alex Reid’s brutal break-up as he wages war against ‘fame seeker’READ MORE: Katie Price reveals only man she’s ever truly loved – and it’s none of her husbands

Opening up about her fondness for Leo, Sophie, said: “Do you know what, I like Leo. I do like Leo and (my husband) Harry still talks to Leo now and then on Facebook. And he sort of says, ‘How are you?'”

Katie’s whirlwind relationship with the Argentine came two years after her split from Peter Andre. They, of course, had to put up with a language barrier, with Katie not speaking any of Leo’s native Spanish, however, they made it work via the ‘language of love’.

“If life isn’t for livin’ and lovin’, then what is it for? And anyway – three is a lucky number,” she told The Sun after getting engaged.

Katie and Leo eventually split at the end of 2012, after a flurry of fiery rows, with Leo later claiming he dumped the OnlyFans star because she was driving him “insane”.

Speaking to Caras magazine in Argentina, he said at the time of their break-up: “I left her simply because she is crazy. Katie’s brain is not wired right, or the wires don’t connect properly.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with her. I was thinking it over recently and one day I packed my bags and left.

“There was nothing else I could do. She was driving me insane.”

Leo added: “That’s it, there’s no going back.”

In contrast, Katie said she wished her ex well, but her generosity didn’t last long.

After their split, the glamour icon claimed she had been forced to hand back her engagement ring.

The allegation was made during a X/Twitter exchange with her friend when presenter, Phil Turner, tweeted in 2013: “I’m sorry to hear your heart ring has been repossessed.”

To which Katie replied: “Just did (hand it back)! That man took advantage of my generosity if only peeps could see the emails all over Christmas him wanting me back. (sic)”

Katie’s spokesperson told the Evening Standard at the time: “Katie found out that the ring had not been paid for by Leo and so has returned it rather than have the jeweller out of pocket and Leo pursued for the debt.”

However, Leandro slammed Katie’s version of events, saying the ring didn’t arrive until after they had broken-up, and claimed it was The Pricey who ordered the sparkler for herself.

He told the outlet: “The ring in question has never been in my possession. It was a ring Katie Price designed, ordered and had delivered directly to herself from her personal jeweller.”

READ MORE: This £14 de-tangling brush is ‘so gentle on hair’ that it reduces breakage by 77%

Fern Britton has shared the one book she’s determined to read this summer as she embarks on a Mediterranean retreat – and it’s another Sunday Times bestseller

Television presenter and bestselling novelist Fern Britton has revealed the one book she’s looking forward to reading this summer during her Mediterranean getaway.

The former This Morning host has recently celebrated launching her newest novel, A Cornish Legacy, which taps into Fern’s personal experiences, delving into themes of separation, inheritance and the emotional burden of old homes. She’s also penned other Sunday Times chart-toppers – including A Good Catch, Coming Home, and The Newcomer – decades following the publication of her debut book in 1998, whilst still presenting Ready Steady Cook.

Chatting to Woman and Home, Fern revealed her summer reading choice for an upcoming break is inspired by the Greek island she’s visiting in August.

READ MORE: Fern Britton admits she got a ‘kidney punch’ from King Charles’ protection officerREAD MORE: Fern Britton’s ‘awkward’ live TV reunion with Phil Vickery after her cold revelation

This tale follows an Italian officer who becomes shunned by the island’s inhabitants before gaining acceptance and getting caught up in a romantic triangle, reports the Express.

“I am going to read Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, as I’m off to Kefalonia, where the story of a soldier falling in love with someone else’s fiancé is set,” Fern revealed to the magazine.

“I hope to catch glimpses of their spirits as I walk along a moon-dappled beach.”

Kefalonia is a stunning holiday spot, renowned for its spectacular natural splendour, particularly its coastlines, caverns, and diverse terrain.

The island, which is the biggest in the Ionian Sea off Greece’s western shore, is encircled by azure waters and is celebrated for its farming output, especially olive oil. Despite her choice of a troubled romance novel, Fern has clarified her own romantic situation, confessing she’s quite content being single after a few tumultuous years.

“These past six to seven years it’s been one thing after another,” she shared with fans, adding: “My parents died; my marriage ended; I had a stalker.

“I managed very well, but the repercussions were like a sonic boom. Everyone keeps asking me if I’m dating. Nobody’s dating me. I’m enjoying my own company. I’m not fearful about going to a restaurant on my own, travelling on my own.”

Her marriage to Phil Vickery ended in 2020 after twenty years, while last year a 63 year old man was given a 10-year restraining order and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to stalking her.

“I’m actually very good at it now, and it’s OK,” she revealed, referring to spending time alone, in a chat with The Times.

Fern Britton has shared the one book she’s determined to read this summer as she embarks on a Mediterranean retreat – and it’s another Sunday Times bestseller

Television presenter and bestselling novelist Fern Britton has revealed the one book she’s looking forward to reading this summer during her Mediterranean getaway.

The former This Morning host has recently celebrated launching her newest novel, A Cornish Legacy, which taps into Fern’s personal experiences, delving into themes of separation, inheritance and the emotional burden of old homes. She’s also penned other Sunday Times chart-toppers – including A Good Catch, Coming Home, and The Newcomer – decades following the publication of her debut book in 1998, whilst still presenting Ready Steady Cook.

Chatting to Woman and Home, Fern revealed her summer reading choice for an upcoming break is inspired by the Greek island she’s visiting in August.

READ MORE: Fern Britton admits she got a ‘kidney punch’ from King Charles’ protection officerREAD MORE: Fern Britton’s ‘awkward’ live TV reunion with Phil Vickery after her cold revelation

This tale follows an Italian officer who becomes shunned by the island’s inhabitants before gaining acceptance and getting caught up in a romantic triangle, reports the Express.

“I am going to read Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, as I’m off to Kefalonia, where the story of a soldier falling in love with someone else’s fiancé is set,” Fern revealed to the magazine.

“I hope to catch glimpses of their spirits as I walk along a moon-dappled beach.”

Kefalonia is a stunning holiday spot, renowned for its spectacular natural splendour, particularly its coastlines, caverns, and diverse terrain.

The island, which is the biggest in the Ionian Sea off Greece’s western shore, is encircled by azure waters and is celebrated for its farming output, especially olive oil. Despite her choice of a troubled romance novel, Fern has clarified her own romantic situation, confessing she’s quite content being single after a few tumultuous years.

“These past six to seven years it’s been one thing after another,” she shared with fans, adding: “My parents died; my marriage ended; I had a stalker.

“I managed very well, but the repercussions were like a sonic boom. Everyone keeps asking me if I’m dating. Nobody’s dating me. I’m enjoying my own company. I’m not fearful about going to a restaurant on my own, travelling on my own.”

Her marriage to Phil Vickery ended in 2020 after twenty years, while last year a 63 year old man was given a 10-year restraining order and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to stalking her.

“I’m actually very good at it now, and it’s OK,” she revealed, referring to spending time alone, in a chat with The Times.

He was once a national treasure with one of the most recognisable faces in the UK – now Huw Edwards lives a very different life away from the spotlight

Disgraced BBC newsreader Huw Edwards narrowly avoided jail for making indecent images of children, with his personal and professional lives falling apart in the process.

Edwards, 64, was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he pled guilty to making seven Category A indecent images of children – the worst type – as well as 12 Category B, and 22 Category C images at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in September 2024.

On his birthday earlier this week, the star looked very different as he was seenclutching three mini bottles of prosecco, his grey stubble a stark contrast to the formerly clean-cut broadcaster known to millions around the UK. Edwards was pictured returning to his car after a brief shopping outing in Swansea, Wales.

READ MORE: BBC staff left ‘raging’ as Huw Edwards keeps hold of £200k salary amid job losses

The presenter was earning more than £475,000 at the BBC as the anchor of News At Ten in November 2023, when disturbing reports emerged that a high-profile, unnamed BBC presenter paid tens of thousands of pounds for explicit photos.

A mother claimed this went on from 2020, when their child was 17, for three years, which funded their child’s drug habit. He was suspended from the BBC at the time.

The TV star was arrested later that year regarding a separate investigation. Edwards’ phone was seized which revealed his participation in Whats App exchanges with convicted paedophile Alex Williams, who between the years 2018 and 2021 sent him indecent images of children, including two videos of a boy believed to be between the ages of seven and nine years old.

The star’s wife of 30 years Vicky Flind released a statement following the original allegation saying her husband was “suffering from serious mental health issues” and receiving in-patient care.

But as other accusations came to light, Vicky is said to have launched proceedings to end their marriage, with their £4.75 million home in Dulwich, South London, put up for sale.

A source told The Sun:”Vicky had enough of Edwards a long time ago but this is the final nail in the coffin of their relationship. He’s put her and their family through hell, so this was inevitable.”

Edwards continued to sport his wedding ring during his court case but the former couple are said to only communicate through their lawyers nowadays. Professionally, the broadcaster’s life has also crumbled.

Images from earlier this year showed Edwards frowning as he puffed on a vape. Speaking to the publication, an onlooker said: “He looked a shadow of his former, super-confident self — but there was no mistaking it was him.

“He was vaping and coughing and spluttering a bit, and didn’t look in the best shape. But he was lucky to be enjoying his freedom when most people think he should have been jailed for what he did.”

The disgraced star had been the corporation’s top-earning newsreader, earning between £475,000 and £479,999 in the year 2023/24 when he was arrested.

He continued to be paid by the BBC until he resigned five months later and it appears he hasn’t repaid the £200,000 he earned during that period as requested by the broadcaster.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah recently told Times Radio: “We’ve been asking him and asking him and asking him. We’re getting legal advice on it”, adding: “If Huw is listening, give it back. Just give it back”.

Edwards was estimated to be worth as much as £3.8 million at his peak, with lucrative book and documentary deals and gigs presenting top awards shows topping up his BBC salary.

As Judge Paul Goldspring told the celebrity at his sentencing: “It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is in tatters.”

Speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London conference the month the broadcaster was convicted, BBC director-general Tim Davie stated that he “can’t see” Edwards working for the corporation ever again.