Corrie icon Simon Gregson has spilled the beans on a rather cheeky comment he received from a soap veteran on his very first day.
Casting our minds back to 1989, Simon graced the ITV soap as the now-iconic Steve McDonald, joining the cobbled streets alongside his on-screen family: mum Liz (portrayed by Beverley Callard), brother Andy (played by Nicholas Cochrane) and father Jim (acted by Charles Lawson).
Simon quickly became an integral part of Coronation Street, weaving through numerous significant plots including the heartbreak of losing his young son Oliver and his own struggles with depression.
Moreover, Steve’s turbulent romantic entanglements, including his marriage saga with Tracy Barlow (acted by Kate Ford) and his bitter split from Michelle Connor (portrayed by Kym Marsh), have kept viewers gripped.
Opening up recently about his commencement on the set, Simon reminisced how soap legend Jill Summers - better known as Phyllis Pearce, a favourite since her 1982 debut - made quite the impression with a startlingly bold remark, reports Leicestershire Live.
Jill Summers drew adoration from audiences for her distinctive rinse hairdo and husky vocal tones, remaining a beloved fixture in Weatherfield for an impressive 14-year stretch before her 1996 exit.
During an engaging chat on the People Are Deep podcast, Simon shared: "Jill Summers who played Phyllis Pearce, who was the woman with the blue rinse, had walked into the green room; the cast wasn't very big back then."
Simon shared an anecdote from the set, recalling how an actress prepared for a scene with some comedic improvisation. "She had gone to wardrobe and had these bloomers, and she put these big bloomers on and she tucked her skirt into her these bloomers," he said.
He went on to describe the moment that sealed his affection for the show's atmosphere: "And she bent over in front of me and Nick, who played Andy, and she turned around and says: 'Are you looking at my t*** you little c****."
Simon was taken aback by the experience, saying, "And from that moment I thought 'I am gonna love it here, this is so mad. I mean wow this old woman - and it just got worse from there on in."
Reflecting on his time with the cast, Simon expressed his admiration for their natural comedic talent: "I was just surrounded by these people who were just born to entertain and make people laugh."
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX
English (United States) ·