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Coronation Street couple Billy Mayhew and Todd Grimshaw are reunited with Summer next week
They finally get to be her parents.
Coronation Street couple Billy Mayhew and Todd Grimshaw will finally get the chance to be parents to Summer after they are reunited with her in heartwarming scenes next week.
Todd and Billy are keen to keep their promise to Summer's late dad Drew by raising the young girl as their own, but her grandparents are currently standing in their way.
With Drew's mother Geraldine being particularly firm in her refusal to hand Summer over to the pair, their hopes of raising her are gradually fading.
However, things take an unexpected turn next week when Billy and Todd move into the flat above the flower shop and are surprised when Summer turns up at the solicitor's for another meeting.
As Todd quizzes her about her new living arrangements, they're startled by the arrival of Billy – who is forced to reveal that Summer doesn't have a case and he only went along with it as he wanted to keep tabs on her.
But when Billy and Todd take a disappointed Summer back to their new flat, she starts to open up to them – admitting just how strict her grandparents are.
Desperate to help, Billy and Todd pay Drew's parents a visit and implore them to do what's best for Summer, but their pleas are ignored when Geraldine makes some spiteful homophobic remarks.
However, just when it really does seem that all hope is lost, Drew's father Angus reveals a legal document stating that Drew intended Billy to have guardianship of Summer.
With things finally starting to swing in the couple's favour, Angus tells Summer she must choose between living with Todd and Billy, or staying with her grandparents.
Fans will have to wait and see how the situation unfolds, but by the end of the week, Summer is back in Weatherfield so there are no prizes for guessing what she decides. Will Billy and Todd rise to the challenge of being parents?
Coronation Street airs these scenes on Monday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 26 on ITV.
Radio Times
It’s a case of two men and a little lady in Coronation Street, when Billy the vicar and partner Todd become the legal guardians of Summer Spellman, daughter of Billy’s now late ex-boyfriend, Drew. It’s a big commitment for the loved-up pair and a defining moment in Corrie history – the characters are the first same-sex couple on the show to raise a child together.
Actors Daniel Brocklebank and Bruno Langley talk about the journey ahead, working with child actress Matilda Freeman, and why they’d love their alter-egos to tie the knot.
How do Billy and Todd feel about the prospect of raising Summer?
Daniel: “I don’t think Billy is under any delusions that they’re adopting a 12 year old who is grieving, and with his training, he’ll have had experience with things like that. I think that he’s very up for the idea of being a dad, and of him, Todd and Summer being a family.”
Bruno: “Todd can be quite selfish, but as soon as he met Summer, he saw that she had this spark. She’s very quick and intelligent, and probably reminds him of himself a little bit. And when the homophobic grandmother, Geraldine, turned up and said ‘You’re not going to raise this girl’, he wasn’t going to let her get one up on him!”
Given that Summer is an adolescent, can you foresee a lot of drama ahead?
Daniel: “I can imagine Billy desperately trying to read the back of a Tampax box and working out how he’s going to have that conversation with her! But I suppose it’s like that for any parent, when you’ve never done it before. It’s all trial and error.”
Bruno: “There’s a scene where Tracy says to Todd: ‘You’ve got no idea of what’s going to happen!’ But I reckon there’s a lot of scope for comedy in that.”
Billy and Todd are the first same sex couple in Corrie to raise a child together. How do you feel about that?
Daniel: “Corrie has always been a forerunner in terms of LGBT rights, and I’m thrilled! And I adore working with Bruno, so for us to have this extra layer brought into Billy and Todd’s relationship is great. I would’ve loved to have been a dad, so if this is the closest I ever get to it, then brilliant.”
Bruno: “It’s another bit of Corrie history. The show has been moving with the times since its creation, and it’s just reflecting what’s happening in real life.”
Daniel, do you have any nieces, nephews or god children? And if so, what has that taught you about children?
“I have a niece who was born in March, a nephew who’s four, and three goddaughters. I just get to fill them with sugar and give them back to their parents! I suppose it’s all about patience, love and understanding – and these are Christian values that Billy would be dishing out on a daily basis, along with the Coco Pops.”
Bruno, as a father in real life (to 10 year old son Freddie), what would your advice be to Todd?
“Probably to enjoy the small moments, because before you know it, they’re grown up and they won’t need you so much.”
How do you think the other residents will react to Billy and Todd being parents? Will there be a few ruffled feathers?
Daniel: “Of course there will be – surely the point is to ruffle feathers, and I’m sure there’ll be many a whimsical quip coming out of Norris’s lips!”
Bruno: “Do you know what, I don’t think there are going to be any characters saying anything! I can’t imagine a scene where someone’s disgusted with the fact that they’re raising a kid together.”
Having a child puts pressure on any couple. Do you think that this might cause cracks in Billy and Todd’s relationship?
Daniel: “It will change the dynamic of their relationship. One would hope that, as with any couple, it will bring them closer together. People have normally got time to prepare for parenthood, and obviously this came about in a different sort of way. But I’m hoping both of them are spontaneous enough to be able to cope with the things that it throws at them.”
Bruno: “It depends what the writers want to explore. I know they have got plans to elaborate on Billy’s back story.”
Todd has a rather chequered past – Bruno, do you think that now he is a father, his dark days are behind him?
“The conundrum is that in order to adopt Summer, Todd has rented a flat with Billy. But if he doesn’t have a good job, he can’t pay for it, and so he’s gone into business with Adam Barlow. I’m not a scriptwriter, but I know there are going to be points where Todd’s morals will be put into question again.”
Do you think Billy and Todd will have different ideas on parenting?
Daniel: “Absolutely; I think they’re going to come at things from different angles. Todd is much more playful and mischievous than Billy. Billy tends to like to do things by the book, whereas Todd tends to fly by the seat of his pants a bit more.”
Bruno: “Yeah, I think Todd will be a bit too lenient. It’s like that with me in real life!”
How have you found working with Matilda Freeman, who plays Summer?
Daniel: “I did screen tests with five different actresses and I knew immediately that she was ‘the one.’ With a lot of child actors, you have to drive the scene yourself, whereas with Matilda, you can throw stuff at her and she runs with it. She has settled in remarkably quickly. I had 20 years experience in the industry before I joined Corrie and I was sh***ing myself on my first day! But she was as cool as a cucumber.”
Bruno: “When I first starting working professionally, when I was 17, I was absolutely terrible. Things like hitting your mark for the camera were perplexing to me, and I was nervous all the time. She just walked on set and did it. She said to the director during one scene: ‘Do you want me to cry on this take?’ I looked at Dan and I was like ‘Sh**, she is really good! She’s going to show us up!'”
Now that Billy and Todd are parents, would you like them to seal the deal and get married?
Daniel: “I’d love them to get married, because I’m a hopeless romantic! I also think it would be an interesting thing to highlight with the Church of England, because at the moment, if a gay vicar got married, they’d get fired.”
Bruno: “That would be another bit of history for the show, so I assume that’s probably on the cards at some point. Getting married abroad would be a good idea. How about the south of France
whatsontv.co.uk
she smokes a spice fag dared by simon who supplies her and she collapses
Coronation Street is planning a spice storyline for troubled youngster Summer Spellman.
The Daily Star reports that the teen will become involved in a plot where she finds a joint in the Street and is encouraged to smoke it by tearaway Simon Barlow – then collapses minutes after smoking the 'zombie' drug.
The story follows the real-life rise of the drug in Manchester, where numerous people have been filmed or photographed drooped over in the street.
Digital Spy reached out to ITV for comment, who informed us they do not comment on storyline speculation.
Summer, who is played by Matilda Freeman, is currently in the process of being adopted by vicar Billy Mayhew and his boyfriend Todd Grimshaw.
The hard-hitting tale comes months after promises from Coronation Street boss Kate Oates that storylines would continue to represent the struggles and diversity of modern-day Britain.
As such, Coronation Street is also planning its first HIV storyline for Seb Franklin.
Seb will apparently learn that he is HIV+ in scenes to air in October – leaving him, girlfriend Faye Windass (Ellie Leach) and their close friends and family having to come to terms with this news.
Digital Spy
http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a845163/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-spellman-pat-phelan-danger/
Coronation Street villain Pat Phelan could turn hero in upcoming scenes when he comes to the rescue of Summer Spellman.
A dark story twist will see Summer walk into danger on her way home from school as she is approached by a mystery man.
Connor McIntyre – who plays Phelan – has been spotted filming on location with Matilda Freeman (Summer) for scenes that will air early next year.
The brand new pap pictures show a man trying to tempt an anxious Summer into his car, but thankfully Phelan appears to get there just in time.
Not one to be messed with, Phelan immediately sends the man packing – but who is he? Is Summer in danger? And more to the point, is Summer really safe with Phelan given his track record?
This is the second time that Matilda has been papped filming scenes that will air after Christmas, despite the fact that Summer was tipped to leave with Todd when his final scenes air on Christmas Eve.
This confirms that the festive season won't be the last fans see of Summer, but does this mean Billy has got her back full-time or not?
does summer stay with eileen and phelan
Coronation Street schoolgirls Summer Spellman and Amy Barlow will find themselves in danger later this year.
The two characters get targeted by a menacing figure after Billy Mayhew's ongoing downward spiral takes another unexpected turn.
Young stars Matilda Freeman and Elle Mulvaney have been spotted filming on location today (January 17) for the scenes, which won't hit our screens for another couple of months.
http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/18/03/768x596/gallery-1516195912-soaps-coronation-street-summer-amy-trouble-1.jpg
The upcoming episode sees Summer trying to track down her adoptive dad Billy, which leads her to a homeless shelter.
Showing support for her friend, Amy comes along too – but they both look likely to regret their visit when they're pestered by an opportunistic man.
Although the guy puts on a friendly demeanour, he soon tries to steal Summer's phone and it looks like things could get nasty.
Fortunately, Amy's uncle Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) is on hand to come to the rescue just in time.
http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/18/03/768x1057/gallery-1516195963-soaps-coronation-street-peter-barlow-1.jpg
The pictures may also raise questions over why Summer goes looking for Billy at the homeless shelter in the first place.
While it's possible that Billy could simply be helping out as part of his duties as a vicar, we also know that he has some dark storylines ahead as Adam Barlow tries to avenge the death of his mum Susan.
Could Adam's revenge lead to more trouble for Billy and send him away from the Street for a while?
Digital Spy
who has custody of summer with billy not able and todd gone, is it eileen?
who has custody of summer with billy not able and todd gone, is it eileen?
Legally I would suggest that her grandmother is as I do not think Billy or Todd were made her legal guardian yet?
tammyy2j
18-01-2018, 11:26
Legally I would suggest that her grandmother is as I do not think Billy or Todd were made her legal guardian yet?
Yes I would think her grandparents too
tammyy2j
04-04-2018, 13:54
She would be better with her gran even if she is homphobic than a serial killer in Pat and drug addict Billy and now womanizing shop keeper Dev :p
Yes but i think they will try and keep her for some reason. They will have to make Billy be cured rapidly which can happen in soapland.
Corrie has confirmed that Summer Spellman has been recast.
Matilda Freeman departed from the role earlier this year to pursue other opportunities, and new actress Harriet Bibby will take over the part from next month.
Her first scenes will see Summer return from her grandmother's as she is reunited with Todd Grimshaw ? though tensions are already running high between Billy and Paul over Todd's return.
Summer's arrival will no doubt complicate matters as she struggles to forgive Todd for abandoning her and Billy three years prior.
"I am so thrilled to be joining the cast of Coronation Street," said Harriet, who has previously starred in Doctors and Brassic. "My family have watched the show for years and I already feel part of the family.
"Matilda has wished me good luck, which was lovely! I'm looking forward to bringing Summer's sass and sparkle to the screen."
Matilda said: "I'd like to say thank you to my second family, the cast, crew and viewers who have supported me during my time on the cobbles. After three and a half lovely years I felt it was time for a change and I'm excited to be starting that next chapter with a new role."
the new one is terrible, too older
she is diagnosed with type one diabetes
Going to be romantically involved with Aadi :heart:
eating disorder now for her
Pregnant ... maybe going to give the baby to Esther and her husband Mike, the couple that were collecting clothes for the charity shop... :hmm:
mysangry
19-10-2022, 17:11
Pregnant ... maybe going to give the baby to Esther and her husband Mike, the couple that were collecting clothes for the charity shop... :hmm:
AS long as this couple are not going to stick around, this would be another disjointed family of child with "not" parents
Summer, Aaron, Jacob and Amy to share an apartment. I like the idea of the teens living together. :)
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a42026877/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-tragic-story/
Going to have a miscarriage..
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a42137413/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-spellman-baby-offer/
Coronation Street teen Summer Spellman receives a shock later this month as show newcomers Mike and Esther Hargrave try to strike a second deal with her.
Summer recently deceived the couple by keeping quiet about how she'd tragically suffered a miscarriage ? not wanting to return the latest ?10,000 payment they'd just given her.
Summer and her boyfriend Aaron Sandford had agreed to hand their child over to Mike and Esther after the birth in exchange for cash. They wanted to use the money to fund a stay in rehab for Aaron's alcoholic father Eric.
In scenes airing later this month, Mike and Esther insist on driving Summer to the hospital for her 12-week scan.
Mike and Esther agree that they'll wait outside the building while the scan takes place. Summer and Aaron reluctantly head inside and play for time, needing to keep up the pretence that Summer is still pregnant.
Their plan backfires when Mike suddenly appears by their side, insisting that he should have a chance to be at the scan after all.
Summer and Aaron are defeated and brace themselves to finally tell Mike the truth.
Later in the week, Summer realises that she needs to do the right thing and raise the ?10,000 to pay back Mike and Esther.
Summer calls her three dads together, telling Billy Mayhew, Todd Grimshaw and Paul Foreman that she and Aaron are planning to go travelling for a year and need ?10,000.
The trio are sceptical and quiz Summer for further details about her plans.
Events take another twist when Mike and Esther tell Summer and Aaron that they're willing to forget the lost ?10,000.
The pair also promise to give Summer even more money if she'll agree to be a surrogate for their baby.
When Billy finds out what's going on, he makes it his mission to ensure that Summer refuses the surrogacy offer.
Billy summons Mike and Esther to speak to him and tries to lay down the law.
Mike stands up to Billy, pointing out that it's Summer's decision to make rather than his.
Billy refuses to back down and threatens to report Mike and Esther to the police over their recent behaviour. How will Summer react?
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a42333713/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-held-captive/
Coronation Street's Summer Spellman finds herself in danger in early January as her storyline with Mike and Esther Hargrave continues.
Summer is about to accept a second offer from Mike and Esther, who are prepared to pay her to become a surrogate for them.
In upcoming scenes, Summer makes an appointment at the fertility clinic to get the plan under way.
Keen to avoid a repeat of their previous rows, Billy Mayhew promises Summer that he won't stand in her way this time.
Summer's other two dads Todd Grimshaw and Paul Foreman are less understanding, privately vowing to find out more about Mike and Esther.
Paul suggests to Todd that they should raise some money to pay off Mike and Esther, hoping that they'll finally leave Summer alone if the price is right.
Later in the week, there are more warning signs that Mike and Esther aren't as squeaky-clean as they seem.
Leanne Battersby spots Summer with Mike and recognises him as a drunken man who flirted with her at the Bistro.
Leanne tips off Billy, who's immediately worried and decides to tell Summer the truth.
Further surprises await Summer when Todd reveals that he has been contacted by Ava, a woman who is part of the congregation at Mike and Esther's old church.
Ava has told Todd that she once had an affair with Mike. When Summer brings this up with Esther, she confirms that it's true but adds that Mike's betrayal is all in the past.
Summer meets up with Ava to hear her side of the story, but is shocked by what she discovers.
Furious and feeling like she has been duped, Summer heads over to Esther and Mike's house.
The visit turns dangerous when Mike locks Summer in the nursery, leaving her without her bag which contains her phone and insulin.
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a60233270/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-spellman-leaves/
Leaving temporarily only...
Coronation Street has revealed a first look at Summer Spellman waving goodbye to Weatherfield for a while.
Summer is leaving the cobbles to study abroad for a few months, but she won't be gone for good.
Last month, Summer was offered the chance to move to the US for an extended trip throughout the spring.
Summer considered declining the opportunity as she didn't want to be apart from Paul Foreman, who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and may only have a few months left to live.
Next week, Summer makes her final decision as she books her flight to Boston.
Billy Mayhew is pleased to see Summer putting herself first and he agrees to cook a roast dinner so she can celebrate with him, Paul, Todd Grimshaw and Bernie Winter.
Later in the week, Billy, Paul and Todd all say an emotional farewell to Summer as she sets off for the airport.
Summer is driven away in a cab as her break from Weatherfield gets under way.
Digital Spy understands that Harriet Bibby, who plays Summer, hasn't left the cast of Coronation Street and will be back later in the summer.
Speaking to The Lincolnite newspaper earlier this year, Harriet commented: "I am fully invested in Corrie and have not done any other acting bits.
"I don't have any solid plans to leave the show, but there is always something in the back of my head that I would love to do more theatre work.
"I teach singing, so feed into my love of theatre through that."
Coronation Street airs Summer's temporary departure on Wednesday, March 27.
parkerman
19-03-2024, 09:18
Only temporarily?
Only temporarily?
I guess she returns when Paul's end is nearing and then she will stay to support Billy..... :(
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a60977404/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-spellman-return/
Coronation Street airs return scenes for Summer Spellman next week.
The teen character arrives back in Weatherfield after two months away in the US, but she's not arriving alone.
Next week's episodes see Paul Foreman's Motor Neurone Disease (MND) story continue as he attends an appointment with his nurse alongside his husband Billy Mayhew.
Paul is told that as his weakened neck muscles get worse, he won't be able to keep using the stair lift he needs to gain access to their upstairs flat.
Later in the week, Paul receives a visit at home from an Eyegaze specialist, who shows him how to use some new equipment. This will allow Paul to communicate via eye movements which control his computer device.
Summer then arrives back at the flat after flying home from the US. She announces that she has a new boyfriend called Felix, who's waiting to meet Paul and Billy at the Rovers Return.
Just as Paul and Billy are about to leave the flat, their plans for the rest of the day are disrupted as Paul falls down the stairs.
As Paul recovers, Todd Grimshaw turns up and Summer arrives with Felix. How will the meeting go?
Coronation Street bosses have cast former The Tower and Doctors actor Robin Morrissey in the role of Felix.
Summer left Weatherfield on March 27 as she decided to follow her dream of studying in the US for a while.
The teen had been accepted for a temporary transfer to a university in Boston, so she said her goodbyes to her three dads Paul, Billy and Todd.
As Paul has previously shared plans to end his life on his own terms once his MND progresses further, Summer was worried that she might not see him again. However, Paul urged Summer to put herself first and promised that he'd be waiting for her upon her return.
When Summer's departure aired, Digital Spy confirmed that these weren't permanent exit scenes and that she'd be back at a later date.
Coronation Street airs these scenes on Monday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 12.
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a61045825/coronation-street-summer-new-romance-story/
Coronation Street's Harriet Bibby has spoken about her character Summer Spellman's new romance storyline.
Summer departed the cobbles earlier this year to study abroad in the US, but next week sees her come back with new boyfriend Felix in tow (played by The Tower and Doctors actor Robin Morrissey). However, her return isn't such a happy occasion as Paul Foreman's Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has progressed while she's been away.
Speaking to Inside Soap magazine, Bibby said that she was "a little bit happy and a little bit nervous" that Summer has a new fella.
"We know Summer's history with boyfriends hasn't been the best," she said. "But I think that Summer is very sweet and deserves to be happy. We'll see whether she's met her match in terms of intellect and what they both enjoy!
"(Felix is) an intellectual guy. He's studying a PhD, so I think she likes that they can have conversations about things that other people may not find interesting."
Speaking about how Summer herself has changed since she went away to America, Bibby explained that: "Fundamentally she's the same Summer. But I feel as if this is the largest chunk of time she's spent away from home as an independent grown up.
"So, like any teenager who gets that first moment of freedom, she's grown and come back more independent."
Although Summer has been having video calls with Paul and Billy Mayhew, it's still a shock for her to see how much Paul's health has deteriorated, with Paul now starting to use an eye-controlled machine to communicate.
"Even though Summer's expecting it, seeing him using that hits home a bit more," she said.
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a62178976/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-paul-death-aftermath/
Coronation Street star Harriet Bibby has revealed what's ahead for her character Summer Spellman following the tragic death of Paul Foreman.
Summer tragically lost one of her three dads this week as Paul passed away in hospital, following his emotional journey living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) over the past 18 months.
Upcoming scenes will see Summer caught in the middle of family tensions, as Billy Mayhew and Bernie Winter clash bitterly over Paul's funeral.
While Billy is keen to carry out a traditional service, Bernie wants a more unconventional memorial which better reflects her son's personality.
Speaking about the storyline, Harriet explained: "Summer is quite a mature young woman anyway. She often has taken on a more parental role with all three of her dads a lot of the time. That definitely does come out again following Paul's death.
"It's something we spoke about when we were filming ? the hierarchy of grief. It's unspoken, but a lot of the time Summer might think: 'I can't let this boil over just now because Billy needs me'. We see that unfold with every character that's affected by Paul's death.
"We see Summer and Asha's friendship link back together again. Asha is someone Summer feels she can confide in. There's a lot of explosive stuff happening in our family after Paul's passing ? and having that person that's just out of the loop a little bit helps Summer."
On Billy and Bernie's feud, Harriet continued: "Summer is definitely the person in the middle who can see both sides. She tries to reason with both parties and try to think about what Paul would want.
"Eventually she becomes a voice of reason. She tries to tell them off a little bit and re-focus the energy."
Summer is also in an awkward predicament as one of the few characters who knows the truth about Billy's final farewell to Paul over the phone.
When Billy was unable to make it to the hospital in time, he shared some last words with Paul in a phone call. Although Paul had already passed away, Bernie let Billy believe otherwise to give him the closure he needed.
Harriet added: "I think Summer feels quite conflicted about Bernie's lie. Bernie did that for the right reasons. She wanted to give Billy the goodbye that he wasn't going to get, which is why in the moment, Gemma and Summer didn't say anything. They thought 'okay, let him say goodbye'.
"Afterwards we'll see everyone feel guilty and conflicted over whether it was the right decision. They're feeling a million different emotions at once. You're grieving yourself, you're worried about the people around you, and then you've got that guilty conscience while wondering whether it was the right decision or not."
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