Bruno Langley was just 17-years-old when he was catapulted into the spotlight as Todd Grimshaw, one of gobby Eileen's two handsome sons, brought in as pin-ups for teenage girls.

Three years later and he was a gay icon too, after being involved in one of the most controversial storylines in Coronation Street's 45-year history.

Todd shocked viewers when he tried to kiss girlfriend, Sarah Lou's brother, Nick - made all the worse because she was expecting their baby at the time. While still playing happy families with Sarah, Todd went on to have an affair with gay nurse, Karl Foster. It got the nation talking.

"At the time I thought it was quite a big deal to me," he says. "Now I think maybe it was just the pressure, you know, you do something like that and then you have to go to the supermarket like everyone else."

The gay community welcomed the Todd storyline and Bruno was one of the main attractions of Manchester Pride. Although Antony Cotton (Sean Tully) maintains he was the first openly gay character on the Street, there is no doubt Todd paved the way for the camp knicker-stitcher to become a permanent fixture in the factory.

"Now I look back and I think what was the big deal about?" he admits.

"I suppose that's a good thing. When you talk you resolve issues, and the Todd storyline must've done that to some degree."

For a 23-year-old Bruno has got a smart head on young shoulders. Much of this he attributes to growing up in the spotlight of Coronation Street. His partying was no more excessive than any other 18 or 19-year-old, but wherever he went the tabloids were sure to follow. "I think it depends what age you are as well when you join something like Coronation Street as to how much attention you get," says Bruno.

"When I was there it was weird. You go out and photographers follow you everywhere you go. But you've got to have fun.

"It teaches you to be professional as an actor. When I first started, I was probably a pain. I didn't turn up on time. Now I know that's the first rule."

As well as taking a part as Adam in Dr Who, since leaving Coronation Street Bruno has been learning his craft in the theatre, playing Romeo to former EastEnder Scarlett Johnson's Juliet in Stafford and performing in Zoe Lewis' play, Life Imitates Art, on the London fringe.

Now he's at Oldham Coliseum playing gay art student, Geoffrey, in Shelagh Delaney's famous play of Salford life, A Taste of Honey.

"You can get too comfortable doing certain stuff and I don't like to be comfortable, which is why I wanted to do more theatre," he adds.

"But dancing, that's a different thing. I really can't dance and there is one scene in this where Geoffrey dances with a mop for two-and-a-half minutes. Anyone who knows me will laugh at that."

A Taste Of Honey is at Oldham Coliseum from Thursday, April 20 until May 13 before going on a national tour until mid-July. For ticket details, call 0161 624 2829.

© Manchester Evening News, 18/4/06

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