Coronation Street: Simon Gregson admits REAL reason he spoke out about wife’s miscarriages
CORONATION STREET veteran Simon Gregson revealed last year that he and his wife Emma Gleave had suffered 11 devastating miscarriages, however it has taken until now to know the reason they went public with their heartache.
Coronation Street Simon Gregson wife Emma Steve McDonald ITV pictures miscarriages
Corrie: Michelle gives emotional farewell to son Ruari
The soap star, who has played Coronation Street’s Steve McDonald since 1989, said it all came about thanks to the ITV soap and those watching.
Speaking to the latest issue of OK! Magazine, the 43-year-old admitted he spoke out after his portrayal of his cobbles alter ego was criticised.
Simon and his spouse of eight years, with whom he shares three sons, have endured 13 devastating miscarriages, most recently in September.
Addressing why he revealed what had happened during a press conference with his then-on-screen wife Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor), the actor commented: “It was high emotions.
Coronation Street: Simon Gregson has revealed what made him want to speak out about their loss
Coronation Street: Simon Gregson's Steve McDonald lost his son in the soap
You have to be strong for your partner even if you aren’t alright
“I just wanted to say that men also go through emotions when it happens. We had a brilliant director called Tony Prescott, who let Kym and I draw on out own experiences.”
The fictional couple left fans in tears after Michelle went into labour at just 23 weeks, with their son Ruairi dying shorty afterwards.
Simon continued: “Steve didn’t cry immediately because many men don’t. A man is more likely to go off and cry on his own.
“You have to be strong for your partner even if you aren’t alright.”
Coronation Street actor Simon Gregson talks about Steve McDonald s depression
Coronation Street: Simon Gregson and his wife Emma have three sons
During their frank interview, Emma went on to explain how his reaction was sparked by an anonymous Twitter post.
She added: “It was something about Simon not playing Steve as emotionally as he should have.
“It didn’t bother me but Simon was so emotionally charged because of the storyline and with us having lost so many babies.”
Coronation Street: Simon Gregson spoke out at an ITV press conference
The plotline saw Steve and Michelle left devastated, which was made even more painful by the fact their little boy would not be given a birth certificate.
Thankfully, Simon and Emma have there young sons: Alfie, 10, Harry, eight, and two-year-old Henry.
Meanwhile, Simon’s spouse was just “two hours from death” when she suffered an ectopic pregnancy in 2017.
The star took time away from Weatherfield after the ordeal to be with his family.
Read the full interview in this week's OK! Magazine - out now.
Coronation Street continues tonight at 7.30pm on ITV.