TODAY’S BIG STORY!! Coronation Street’s James Cartwright confirms first role since Theo’s shock exit

Former Coronation Street star James Cartwright has confirmed his first role since his exit as Theo Silverton. The villainous character was killed off earlier this month as part of a mystery body storyline, putting an end to his harrowing abuse against Todd Grimshaw.

James has now been announced to appear in panto this Christmas at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, appearing as baddie Abanazar in Aladdin.

Set to run between 5 December and January 3, 2027, tickets are available to book now starting from £18.

“I can’t wait to be part of it,” James said (via West End Best Friend). “Bournemouth is such a beautiful place, and to be here over Christmas, performing for local families and visitors alike, feels really special. Pantomime has such a brilliant tradition, and I’m super excited to dive into that world.”

The production is also set to star Jamie Steen as Widow Twankey and Noel Brodie as Wishee Washee – the latter in his 12th year in the role.

Meanwhile, following his exit, James explained why it was better for Theo to be killed off rather than face trial for his crimes.

“I join a long line of people who’ve met Corrie‘s own brand of justice,” he told Inside Soap‘s Soap Scoop podcast. “I think ultimately, it was always going to be thus.”

He added: “With domestic violence, and as gritty as it was, the feeling was: ‘Is there an appetite to relive it all when we’ve seen it?’ I think court cases are only good as a device if there’s new evidence, a shocking witness, or somebody saw something.

“But actually it’d just be Todd saying what happened, Theo denying it and then reliving all of those awful events. It’s been a brilliant storyline, but also it’s been quite brutal and whether there’s an appetite to relive that when people [at home] are enjoying their corned beef hash, I don’t know!”

James Cartwright has already lined up his next big role just weeks after his dramatic exit from Coronation Street, and it looks like he’s not done playing villains just yet.

The actor, who recently bowed out of the ITV soap as manipulative Theo Silverton, is swapping Weatherfield for the stage this Christmas after landing a role in a festive pantomime.

James is set to play iconic baddie Abanazar in this year’s production of Aladdin at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre.

After spending the last 18 months causing chaos on the cobbles, the role sounds like a pretty perfect fit.

Speaking about the exciting new job, James said he’s thrilled to be heading to Bournemouth for the festive season.

He shared: ‘I can’t wait to be a part of it. Bournemouth is such a beautiful place, and to be here over Christmas, performing for local families and visitors alike, feels really special.

‘Pantomime has such a brilliant tradition, and I’m super excited to dive into that world.’

The casting news comes hot on the heels of Theo’s brutal soap exit, which left Corrie fans stunned.

In the dramatic scenes, Theo was killed off after his abusive behaviour towards husband Todd Grimshaw, played by Gareth Pierce, finally caught up with him. The character was found dead after apparently being pushed from scaffolding outside his flat, though the identity of the culprit remains a mystery.

Theo quickly became one of the soap’s most talked-about villains during James’ time on the show, with viewers watching as the character manipulated and tormented those around him.

Despite Theo’s dark storylines, James himself became a hit with fans, many of whom praised his performance and admitted they were sad to see him leave the soap.

Before landing in Weatherfield, James had already built up an impressive acting career across TV and theatre, and he recently revealed he was keen to get back on stage after leaving Corrie.