Coronation Street’s Theo Silverton actor James Cartwright has teased ‘gripping’ and ‘thrilling’ storylines ahead on the ITV soap, as he hit back at viewer backlash

One Coronation Street star has defended the ITV soap after claims from viewers it’s ‘too dark’(Image: ITV)

One Coronation Street star has defended the ITV soap after claims from viewers it’s “too dark”.

A string of exits and dramatic storylines have left many fans calling out the show, wanting more positive and happy episodes. Storylines have included the murders of PC Craig Tinker and teen Mason Radcliffe, Debbie Webster’s dementia diagnosis, a deadly blaze and two hostage situations, as well as a shooting.

While some fans are hooked on the drama, others have expressed their disapproval of the “dark” and sad storylines, wanting more humour. With a number of big exits having aired too, fans have shared concern online over the future of the soap.

But one star has hit back at claims the show needs to lighten up, teasing some “exciting” moments ahead. He also addressed his view on the show, explaining why the hard-hitting plots were necessary.

Telling viewers why they needed to stay tuned to Corrie, he hinted at some big scenes ahead. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, he spilled: “There’s lots coming up. It’s gripping, it’s thrilling, it’s exciting. The dynamic is dramatic and so exciting.

“It’s funny, it’s charming, it’s witty. Don’t miss a single minute of any episode cos if you do, you’ll regret it and you’ll go to work and everyone will be like did you watch Corrie, and you didn’t. And they’ll go why did you do that? You should be watching!”

Coronation Street’s Theo Silverton actor James Cartwright has teased ‘gripping’ and ‘thrilling’ storylines ahead (Image: WireImage)

James also shared his thoughts on the edgier side of soaps, and praised the tough storylines amid fan backlash. He told us when asked about the exits and the issues some fans had with the storylines that “this is a soap”, and it’s what people want to see, “drama”.

Commenting that without such elements, surprises and twists and turns it could be “boring”, he said it wouldn’t be very entertaining if everyone was happy all the time, adding that a lot of the issue-led storylines reflect real life. James also spoke of his character Theo Silverton’s romance with Todd Grimshaw.

Amid Theo facing turmoil over his sexuality, finally able to be his true self after decades of hiding who he is, the character is finding things tough. With him and Todd also being targeted by a mystery person trying to split them up, with fans convinced it’s Theo’s daughter Millie behind it, James teased whether there could be happy times ahead for the couple.

Giving very little away, he told us: “I think Todd is great and I think Theo is wonderful, and they make a good couple. They have a fun time but relationships are never easy. There’s bumps but we want it. We want drama, it’s soap. We want chaos.”

James also shared his thoughts on the edgier side of soaps(Image: ITV)

Fans have their suspicions over who really set up a fake dating profile for Theo, with the plan being to split the couple up. Luckily for Theo his new flame Todd realised it wasn’t his profile and that someone was targeting them.

While Theo’s wife Danielle came under suspicion, she was believed by Theo when she protested her innocence. So who is targeting them and why? Taking to X, one viewer said: “It’s obviously Theo ’s daughter who set up that profile.”

Another fan agreed: “It’s obviously Theo’s daughter.” A third fan wrote: “I think it’s Theo’s daughter Millie that is sending the messages to try and split Todd and Theo up.”

The theory was shared by others too with one fan writing: “Millie put Theo’s pic on that dating app. Driving a wedge between him and Todd. Bit obvious.” A final theory said: “That defo has to be Theo ’s daughter Millie or ex wife Danielle who probably made that dating profile up to set up Theo.”