Shocked Coronation Street fans say 'you're Welsh' as star wishes Wales women luck ahead of 'big showdown' at Euros
Gareth Pierce is familiar face on the Cobbles - but the Todd Grimshaw star surprised fans with his real accent!
(Image: ITV )
Coronation Street's Todd Grimshaw has shocked fans of the soap after he shared a video of him wishing Wales women good luck ahead of their Euros clash with France this evening. Todd actor, Gareth Pierce's statement that he was "obviously" cheering Wales on, confused viewers of the Mancunian programme as many assumed he was from the northern city.
Welshman Pierce, 44, hails from Pwllheli in Gwynedd and has been on the long-running ITV soap for five years. He plays Todd, the offspring of long-standing character Eileen Grimshaw.
He said on Instagram: "Massive week ahead in the women's Euros. Wales and England both playing today but also playing each other on Sunday. Big showdown.
"Obviously I'm shouting for Wales. Pob lwc Cymru. I'r gad! Come on Wales!"
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The revelation that the actor was Welsh did however shock many fans of the Manchester-based soap, with people flocking to the comments to share their surprise.
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One person commented: "You learn something new everyday, did not know he was Welsh."
Another person wrote: You're welsh? Thought you were from Coronation Street, in Manchester"!
A different fan said: "Didn't know he was welsh, c'mon Cymru." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter .
However, another fan of the soap was shocked they didn't know. They wrote: "Finding the comments hilarious. How you can be a so-called 'fan of the show' and not know that @garpierce is Welsh is beyond me."
The 44-year-old actor has featured in a range of other TV programmes including Mr Selfridge, Ordinary Lies, Hollyoaks, and Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited.
He took on the role of Todd back in 2020, and it had previously been played by Bruno Langley from 2001. Langley left the soap in 2017 after the actor pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault.
Wales take on France at 8pm tonight in St Gallen and the match will be available to watch live on ITV, ITV4 and ITVX.
The French will be tough opposition for Rhian Wilkinson's side. The team are ranked 10th in the world and beat title-holders England 2-1 on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Wales' preparations took a shocking twist when the team bus was involved in a crash on the way to training. The subsequent session was cancelled but the FAW confirmed that everyone involved is believed to be ok.
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