Corrie's Jack P. Shepherd defends casting of the new Todd Grimshaw
Gareth Pierce has taken over from Bruno Langley
Now that they are back to filming, Coronation Street bosses announced the return of popular character Todd Grimshaw yesterday (Monday 10th August), but it's not the usual face viewers are used to seeing on their screens.
Formerly played by actor Bruno Langley for a massive 16 years, the character of Todd will now be portrayed by newcomer Gareth Pierce, with his first scenes expected to air in the Autumn of 2020.
Coronation Street announced the exciting news to their social media pages, writing, 'EXCLUSIVE: First Look of runaway Todd Grimshaw as he returns to Weatherfield almost 3 years after disappearing from the cobbles!' (sic)
A number of Corrie fans were quick to comment on the post, with many jokingly saying Todd has a 'new head'.
One user wrote, 'Coronation Street never even try to hire their recasts to look anything like the original actor. Can’t see this working.'
Clearly disagreeing with his comment, Corrie legend Jack P. Shepherd, who plays the role of David Platt on the show, was quick to defend the soap's casting choice, writing, 'In my experience, that never works, you end up casting someone with same colour hair/eyes same teeth etc over acting capability, and the best actor/actress for the role misses out.' (sic)
Meanwhile, although Gareth's scenes won't be on air until the Autumn, Todd's return will be mentioned next week on the soap, as Mary and Sean receive a letter from the ex-solicitor asking for money.
As Todd's mum is away visiting his brother Jason in Thailand, the pair are forced to break the news to his ex, Vicar Billy Mayhew, before they attempt to track him down following a three-year disappearance.
Todd fled the cobbles with Billy's goddaughter Summer back in 2017, and after he was tracked down by the police, Todd assaulted an officer and escaped on his own.
So, although it's a different actor playing the role, we can't wait to find out all of the answers about Todd's disappearing act later in the year.
Take our ultimate Coronation Street quiz below:
1) What year did Coronation Street first start?
2) What's the real name of the longest serving Corrie actor who plays Ken Barlow?
3) How many children does Gail Platt have on Corrie?
4) What's the name of the pub on Corrie?
5) Michelle Keegan played the role of which character in Corrie?
6) Which member of the Spice Girls appeared in Corrie in 1993?
7) What was the textiles factory on Corrie called?
8) In 2020, Coronation Street celebrates which anniversary?
9) What was the name of Chesney's beloved dog who sadly died in 2011?
10) Which TV channel is Corrie shown on in the UK?
11) Where is Coronation Street filmed?
12) What was the name of the Street's first black family on Coronation Street, introduced in 2019?
13) Which character was portrayed by Loose Women star Denise Welch?
14) What is Dev Allahan's kebab shop called in Corrie?
15) What year was the first ever live episode of Corrie broadcast?
16) In which decade did Roy Cropper, played by David Neilson, join the cast of Corrie?
17) Which character died when the factory collapsed in 2019?
18) What is the name of the taxi company on Corrie?
19) Tyrone Dobbs had a dog named after which Friends character?
20) Who was the first landlady of the Rovers Return?
21) What is the age difference between Gail and Audrey in real life?
Check your answers...
1) 1960
2) William Roache
3) Three
4) Rovers Return Inn
5) Tina McIntyre
6) Mel B
7) Underworld
8) 60th
9) Schmeichel
10) ITV/STV
11) Media City, Manchester
12) The Baileys
13) Natalie Barnes
14) Prima Doner
15) 2010
16) 1990s
17) Rana Habeeb
18) Street Cars
19) Monica
20) Annie Walker
21) Seven years
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Corrie has stripped back to three single episodes a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30pm on ITV.