I have no plans to leave Corrie, I love it so much
SIMON Gregson says Coronation Street is a job for life – but he is keen to show he is not as stupid as his character Steve McDonald.
The 47-year-old, who is heading into the castle as one of two late entries, joined Corrie in 1989 and plays hapless Steve – known for marrying many times and not being very bright.
Gregson says: “The big differences between us is: I probably wouldn’t do half the things that that idiot does, and he probably wouldn’t do half the things that I do.
“But it would be nice for people to see that I’ve probably got a modicum more intelligence than Steve.”
And while some stars use the ITV show as a springboard for a new career, Gregson is very happy to return to the Corrie cobbles after his stint.
He says: “I believe myself to be extremely blessed with where I work.
“I love everybody there and they pretty much pay me just to go in and mess around all day and I just laugh from the minute I go until the minute I leave. I’ve grown up with pretty much everybody there since I was a kid, so it’s a very, very good place to work and I’ve no plans to leave. No. Not at all.”
Gregson was talked into appearing on the ITV show by his wife Emma and three children Alfie, 14, Harry, 12, and Henry Teddy, five.
He said: “It was common knowledge I would never do I’m A Celebrity.
“But my wife and kids were like, ‘Come on, Si, you’ve got to do it, you will have fun.’ And so, I’ve said yes! It is something cool for the kids to watch as dad screams like a young child!”
Simon says his family and Corrie castmates will be praying he gets to do some disgusting trials.
He said: “They will also definitely be voting for me. As much as they love me, they would love to see me throw up after eating something disgusting as well!”
And Simon says he would love to make it to the end of the show as it would mean “brownie points at school” for his children.