As viewers prepare to discover the identity of Coronation Street's Theo Silverton killer, actor James Cartwright has expressed relief that his evil character was killed off. 'Thank God he's dead,' he told the Mirror. 'He needed to die. He had to go. We need less Theos in the world. When they told me they were going to kill Theo off, I thought it was wonderful. We had talked about what was going to happen and it was either going to be a court case or killing him off. And I think killing him off was absolutely the right thing to do. You don't want Theo walking around forever.'
Moral message of soap opera
Cartwright emphasized that the audience should feel satisfied with the outcome. 'Soap is a very moral medium,' he explained. 'We need our underdogs to triumph and we need our villains to meet their end. It was time for him to go.'
Theo's killer will be unmasked during a dinner party attended by cop Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) and his girlfriend Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien), Theo's husband Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) and his daughter Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby), and Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) with her husband Gary Windass (Mikey North). The truth will be revealed through a series of flashbacks revisiting the April night when his body was found.
Unpredictable twist
James said viewers are unlikely to guess the killer before the big reveal. 'I can't say who killed Theo, but I can say that it's juicy. It's not who you expect. It's a brilliant story - if you're a Corrie fan, don't miss a single episode because the great stuff is just getting going.'
Scaffolder Theo was found dead earlier this year, having long struggled with his sexuality. He had previously been married to a woman and even tried conversion therapy. After getting together with Todd Grimshaw, the pair married in March after Theo blindfolded him and led him to the registry office. Two weeks later, viewers were aghast when he beat his new husband senseless. Todd reported him to the police, but Theo continued to stalk him until being found dead outside their flat.
Highlighting same-sex domestic violence
James said he was glad to highlight the issue of same-sex domestic violence. 'A lot of people have talked to me and said they've been in that situation or a friend has been in that situation. It always feels incredibly satisfying to do work that helps people. Same-sex domestic violence had never been done before. People often think men hitting men is them having a fight, but it might not be. It can be domestic violence.'
The storyline, nominated for an award at this year's Rainbow Honours, plays out in an hour-long ITV special. Viewers will hear many grievances aired before it descends into chaos with a smashed glass and overturned chair. Maria wastes no time in seizing the opportunity to turn up the heat on Gary, accusing him of having an affair with Sarah. Kit has also noticed their strange behavior and wants answers. As secrets are exposed, it leads to the explosive revelation over who has Theo's blood on their hands.
Coronation Street's hour-long special airs at 9pm, Monday June 22, on ITV.
