‘Coronation Street’ star Simon Gregson has pulled out of filming.
The 40-year-old actor – who stars as Rovers Return landlord Steve McDonald in the ITV soap – has reportedly been hit by a mystery illness and will have to be temporarily written out of storylines while he waits for hospital test results.
Explaining that Corrie bosses aren’t expecting him back on set "any time soon", a source said: "It’s a frightening time for him. He’s felt under the weather for a while, but it’s recently got worse."
Simon – who has sons Alfie, seven, and five-year-old Harry with wife Emma Gleave – is said to have felt unwell while travelling home from a family day out last month and while he later went to the studios to film, he reportedly became too ill and had to go home.
Simon’s character Steve has been seen sinking into depression following the murder of Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) and while bosses were planning to develop the story into the New Year in order to raise awareness about mental health, it now seems they will have to have a rethink.
The source told The Sun newspaper: "The most important thing is Steve’s health. He’s a great guy and gives everyone a lift on set.
"It’s a shock that he has had to pull out, especially when his character is so heavily involved in the storyline."
Meanwhile, Anne Kirkbride – who plays Deirdre Barlow – is currently taking an eight week break from the drama in order to "rest her bones", according to co-star Marc Baylis (Rob Donovan).
Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson has pulled out of filming
