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Coronation Street legend Simon Gregson has spilled the beans about feeling “gutted” after ITV chiefs delivered a crushing “no” to his pleas.
During the chat, Simon laid bare the personal sacrifices he’s had to make to remain part of the Corrie family.
The beloved soap star disclosed the surprising motivation behind his initial foray into acting, admitting he only auditioned for the gig to pocket some cash.
Simon Gregson has played Steve McDonald on Coronation Street for 36 years(Image: Adrian Flux/Fuelling Around)
Speaking candidly on the podcast, he revealed: “The reason I went for the job – because I wasn’t an actor, I wanted to join the RAF originally – the reason I went for it was for money.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
He continued: “Because I’d seen a Ford Escort Mexico, in bright orange, and I was like ‘I want that car, so I’ll go for that job’.”
Even after securing his breakthrough role as Steve McDonald, Simon’s automotive obsession remained strong, leading him to dabble in motorsport.
ITV bosses said: “Absolutely hell no” to Simon’ request(Image: ITV)
He shared with listeners: “I was just trouncing 911s, TVRs. So I absolutely fell in love with motorsport then. But I wasn’t allowed to do it contractually, you know, classed as a dangerous sport.”
The soap star soon discovered he faced a heartbreaking choice between his racing aspirations and his Weatherfield career, despite demonstrating genuine racing prowess: “Actually, I matched the instructor’s time down at Oulton Park in an MG.
“I was offered rallying with Seat. I was offered a few things. I had to meet with the boss of insurance for ITV, and he said ‘Absolutely hell no’, and that was my possible career in racing gone. I was gutted.”
Simon was ‘gutted’
The actor also touched on Kelvin Fletcher from rival Yorkshire soap Emmerdale, who successfully juggled both acting and motorsport careers. Simon reflected: “He said get lost and left the show. Which is what I should have done, or maybe I shouldn’t, or I wouldn’t be here now.”
Steve McDonald remains one of the Street’s most cherished residents, renowned for his comedic timing and string of doomed romances. Away from the cobbles, Simon’s reality couldn’t be more different from his on-screen persona.
The star is dad to three youngsters with spouse Emma Gleave, a former Hollyoaks performer. The pair tied the knot in 2010 and are devoted parents to Alfie, born in 2007, Henry, born in 2009 and Teddy, born in 2016.
Coronation Street icon ‘gutted’ after told ‘absolutely no’ by bosses in career bombshell(Image: ITV)
Their family of five have made Cheshire their home. Following his stint on ITV’s jungle-based reality programme I’m A Celebrity, Simon opened up about the devastating path he and Emma walked to build their brood.
Speaking candidly on The Likely Dads podcast alongside Tim Vincent, he disclosed that Emma had endured 11 miscarriages, including the heartbreaking loss of a baby daughter at 21 weeks.