Actor has spent half his life in Corrie

Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald in Coronation Street, will soon have been in the show longer than he spent out of it.

"I joined in 1989, when I was 14-years-old, and I am 28 on Oct 2," says Simon. "So I am facing the frightening prospect of having spent half my life in Corrie, and then, immediately after my birthday, more than half my life.

"It's getting to the point where I'm struggling to remember what life was like, before Corrie!"

Simon has had better luck than his screen brother Nick Cochrane, who plays Steve's brother Andy.

He was axed, from the show, a few years ago and was last seen earning a crust in pantomime.