SIMON’S GANG HELL

Alex Bain on how family strife pushes his wildchild Corrie character deeper into criminality than ever before

Troubled Simon’s in peril this week in Coronation Street as he continues to be groomed as a drugs pusher by a county lines gang. Feeling ignored by his dysfunctional family and with no mates to turn to, the teenager’s being targeted by sinister work colleague Jacob.

While Simon has been in trouble before after joining gangs, this new situation is far worse. ‘Simon is going to get too deep into things he doesn’t even know existed,’ says Alex Bain, who’s played the role since 2008. ‘He’s a wildchild but has never done anything like this. Simon’s vulnerable, though, and getting in with this gang makes him feel less isolated and fills a void.’

Things have been grim at home for Simon recently. His adoptive mum Leanne has been grieving for son Oliver, who died aged three last year. ‘Simon wants to support her and be the man of the house,’ says Alex. ‘She’s always been there through Simon’s darkest points when his biological family haven’t.’

Meanwhile, his dad Peter is at a low as he struggles with alcoholism. ‘Simon feels he needs to be there for Peter too,’ adds Alex. ‘But it’s all too much pressure for him and he’s being pulled in different directions. When things have got too much in the past, he’s often fallen into something he doesn’t realise is too much.’

Simon’s latest descent into criminality began when he started a fish and chips delivery job to earn money to help his family – while at work, his colleague Jacob offered Simon emotional and financial support. ‘Jacob has listened to Simon, which makes Simon see him as someone who cares,’ says Alex. But in fact Simon is being groomed into a county lines gang, who sabotaged his first delivery

– they got someone to steal the package of drugs and damage the bike Jacob had lent Simon – leaving him doubly indebted to the gang, for the supposed loss of the drugs and the bike. ‘Jacob’s used his vulnerability and will get him to courier drugs across the north-west,’ says Alex.

While work is going well, the 19year-old has found aspects of lockdown difficult. ‘I haven’t seen some friends since the end of 2019 and I felt lost doing the same things every day,’ admits Alex, who’s co-parent to

two-year-old daughter Lydia-rose, and has been with new girlfriend Mollie for more than a year. ‘I’ve always been open about my struggles with mental health, but I have a wonderful girlfriend and family who’ve helped me, and I count myself lucky to have a job. I feel in a good place.’

Helped, no doubt, by being back on the Corrie set. ‘I’ve always been able to talk to the other actors about professional and personal concerns I’ve had. They are truly wonderful.’ ■