Coronation Street – Todd Spends Time With Billy, Getting Drunk

In this week’s deeply emotional and surprisingly humorous episode of Coronation Street, viewers witnessed a rare and vulnerable side of two of Weatherfield’s most beloved characters —

Todd Grimshaw and Billy Mayhew. What began as a quiet evening of companionship turned into a poignant exploration of grief, loneliness,

and the bittersweet comfort found in old friendships.

As the episode opens, Billy, still raw from losing Paul Foreman, is trying to mask his sorrow behind a composed exterior. Yet, as Todd joins him for what is meant to be a casual catch-up, it quickly becomes apparent that the weight of grief still clings heavily to the vicar. Billy’s words, though calm and reflective, reveal the deep scars left by Paul’s passing. He admits that despite leading countless funerals, he’s never truly become desensitized to loss. “You’d think I’d be used to the finality of death,” he confesses, voice trembling. “But I’m not. I miss Paul so much. I’m so lonely without him.”

Todd, ever the loyal friend despite his mischievous history, listens intently. There’s a tenderness between them — one that’s been hard-won after years of turmoil, betrayal, and regret. Todd offers quiet support, his empathy shining through beneath his dry humor. “You’ve made it more bearable,” Billy says sincerely, his eyes glassy from both emotion and the wine they’ve been sharing. Todd smiles softly. “Same goes. Big softy.”

But the atmosphere soon shifts as the wine keeps flowing. What begins as a comforting evening turns into a bittersweet, alcohol-fueled trip down memory lane. Billy’s grief mixes with the heady haze of intoxication, and Todd — equally affected — struggles to balance compassion with concern. When George calls, encouraging Billy to come home and celebrate, Billy refuses, unable to face the world in his current state. “He’s plastered,” Todd admits quietly, trying to shield him from embarrassment.

It’s clear Billy isn’t coping well. His emotions swing from laughter to tears as he reminisces about Paul, the love of his life. The heartbreak is palpable — his loneliness spilling into every slurred sentence. Todd tries to keep the situation under control, torn between wanting to comfort his friend and realizing that Billy’s drinking is only deepening his pain. “More wine?” Billy asks at one point. Todd sighs, “That’s never the answer.” Billy gives a hollow laugh, “But it is an answer. Maybe that’s the best we’ve got.”

Their dynamic in these scenes is layered and nuanced — a reminder of just how complex their relationship has always been. Once lovers, then adversaries, and now reluctant allies bound by shared loss, Todd and Billy’s chemistry is undeniable. It’s not romantic, but it’s intimate in a different way — two broken souls finding solace in one another’s company, even if just for a night.

As the evening spirals, Todd finds himself in the challenging role of caretaker. Billy becomes increasingly unsteady, slurring his words, stumbling over furniture, and joking about needing a piggyback to get up the stairs. “I can’t walk,” Billy giggles, only half-joking. Todd groans, exasperated but fond. “No way! Ten hours near me and I’ll have a slipped disc.” Their banter lightens the tone momentarily, showing that even in sadness, their friendship can still spark moments of humor.

Underneath the laughter, though, lies something much darker. Billy’s dependence on alcohol as a coping mechanism is becoming impossible to ignore. He’s spiraling — trapped between denial and despair — and Todd knows it. When Billy mentions that Theo will “do his nut” if he sees him in this state, it’s clear he’s ashamed but powerless to stop himself. Todd, trying to maintain calm, suggests calling for help, but Billy pleads to stay the night, desperate not to face reality just yet.

The scene that follows is both heartbreaking and quietly profound. Todd helps Billy settle down, his frustration giving way to genuine care. There’s an unspoken understanding between them — a reminder that grief doesn’t just vanish, and sometimes, even flawed people need each other to survive it. Todd’s loyalty in this moment feels redemptive. After years of selfish decisions, his concern for Billy seems pure, grounded in genuine affection and shared history.

As the night wears on, the storyline takes an unexpected turn when Todd runs into an old acquaintance outside. The encounter tempts him to escape the emotional heaviness of the evening by heading down to Canal Street — Manchester’s famous nightlife district. “Could do with letting off a bit of steam myself,” Todd admits, revealing that he, too, is struggling beneath the surface. It’s a small but telling moment that underscores the shared fragility of these two men.

This episode masterfully captures Coronation Street’s trademark balance between humor and heartbreak. The dialogue is rich with subtext, the performances raw and vulnerable. Daniel Brocklebank (Billy) delivers an especially moving portrayal of grief — his ability to shift from stoic calm to emotional collapse feels painfully real. Meanwhile, Gareth Pierce (Todd) grounds the scenes with quiet strength, portraying Todd as both exasperated and deeply empathetic, a man who understands that sometimes love means simply staying.

For longtime fans, these moments between Billy and Todd evoke a sense of nostalgia. Their shared past — full of betrayal, redemption, and lost opportunities — gives their friendship a bittersweet texture. Todd’s patience here feels like penance for the damage he’s caused before, and Billy’s openness shows that forgiveness, though fragile, is possible.

But beyond nostalgia, the episode also raises questions about coping, healing, and what it means to move on after profound loss. Billy’s breakdown serves as a stark reminder that grief doesn’t fade neatly with time. It lingers, reshaping the people it touches. And for Todd, the night reveals how far he’s come — and how much further he still has to go.

By the time the credits roll, viewers are left with a heavy heart and a quiet sense of hope. Despite the pain, there’s warmth in seeing these two characters — flawed, damaged, yet undeniably human — reach out to one another in their darkest hours. It’s not the kind of grand soap opera romance that Coronation Street is famous for, but it’s something even more real: the messy, imperfect beauty of friendship in the face of loss.

In short, this episode is a standout — a tender, emotional portrait of two men learning how to live with their ghosts. Coronation Street reminds us once again that even in a world full of heartbreak, connection still matters, and sometimes, a shared bottle of wine can mean much more than words ever could.