For over three decades, Simon Gregson has been a permanent fixture in the hearts of Coronation Street fans as the unforgettable Steve McDonald. With his sharp wit, romantic entanglements, and legendary comic timing, Steve has become more than just a character – he’s a cornerstone of British television. However, in a recent candid podcast appearance, Simon Gregson revealed a surprising truth about how and why he first joined the iconic cobbles, a revelation that has left fans both nostalgic and captivated.

Gregson’s career has spanned an impressive 36 years on the ITV soap – a staggering run in an industry where characters often come and go like the fickle Weatherfield weather. In his open conversation on the Fueling Around podcast, Simon stunned listeners by admitting that his original motivation for auditioning for the role had nothing to do with dreams of stardom or a deep-seated passion for acting.

“I wasn’t an actor,” he confessed, laying bare the unexpected genesis of his career. “I wanted to join the RAF originally. The reason I went for it was for money.” At just 15 years old, the young Simon had his sights set on a bright orange Ford Escort Mexico and decided he needed a way to earn enough to buy it. The soap opera audition, he thought, might just help him put something towards his dream car. “It was 4 grand in 1989,” he laughed, acknowledging the significant sum it represented at the time.

It’s a revelation that adds a bittersweet layer to Gregson’s enduring legacy. While millions of viewers have watched Steve McDonald grow from a cheeky, often hapless teenager into a central figure of Coronation Street, the man behind the role never expected to stick around – let alone build an iconic, multi-decade career. Against all odds, what began as a pragmatic teenage money-making opportunity evolved into a lifelong profession, making Steve McDonald a household name.

Throughout his tenure, Steve McDonald has been embroiled in countless romantic disasters, business failures, hilarious gaffes, and moments of profound emotional depth. His life on the street has been a tapestry of chaos and comedy, making him one of the show’s most relatable and beloved characters.

A Life of Love, Loss, and Laughter on the Cobbles

Steve’s romantic life is arguably his most defining trait, characterized by a series of ill-fated marriages and tumultuous relationships. He has married a remarkable seven times, some of them twice to the same woman. His first marriage was to Vicky Arden, a young woman from a wealthy background, a union that was short-lived and marked by class differences. Later, he embarked on one of his most iconic and volatile relationships with Karen Phillips, whom he married twice. Their fiery romance, marked by passionate arguments and equally passionate reconciliations, captivated audiences and established Steve as a leading man. Karen’s intense rivalry with Tracy Barlow for Steve’s affection provided some of the show’s most dramatic and memorable scenes.

Following Karen, Steve found love with Becky Granger, a feisty and troubled woman with whom he shared a genuine connection. Their journey, fraught with Becky’s past demons and their struggle to have children, showcased a more mature and empathetic side of Steve. This period also saw him step up as a father figure to Amy Barlow, Tracy’s daughter, despite not being her biological father.

However, the gravitational pull of Tracy Barlow proved inescapable. He married Tracy twice, their relationship a cycle of hope, betrayal, and grudging affection. Their enduring, often exasperated, dynamic is a cornerstone of the show, proving that some loves, no matter how complicated, are simply meant to be. His marriage to Michelle Connor brought further heartache, particularly with the devastating stillbirth of their son, Ruairi, a storyline that allowed Gregson to deliver a powerful and sensitive portrayal of male grief.

Beyond his romantic entanglements, Steve has weathered a multitude of personal challenges. He has survived car crashes, faced business failures with his taxi firm, Streetcars, and even endured the indignity of a kidney stone storyline that had the nation wincing in sympathy. One of his most significant storylines involved a battle with depression, a powerful and poignant narrative that saw Steve struggle with his mental health. Gregson’s portrayal of a usually jovial character grappling with such a serious condition earned widespread praise for its raw honesty and its role in raising awareness about male depression. This storyline cemented his reputation not just as a comedic actor, but as one capable of profound dramatic depth.

As a long-standing landlord of the Rovers Return, Steve has also been at the heart of the community, dispensing drinks and occasionally questionable advice, often alongside his formidable mother, Liz McDonald. His friendships, particularly with Lloyd Mullaney and later Tim Metcalfe, have provided a constant source of humor and emotional support, showcasing Steve’s loyalty and his often-overlooked good nature. He embodies the everyday man, flawed but ultimately good-hearted, navigating life’s absurdities and tragedies with a signature blend of dry wit and a sometimes-clumsy charm.

Beyond the Cobbles: New Horizons and Future Reflections

But behind the scenes, Gregson has quietly been building a life that extends far beyond the cobbled streets of Weatherfield. In the past year, he launched a YouTube channel – a side project that showcases his genuine passions, from vintage cars to paranormal phenomena. “My analog brain is going to try and do a YouTube channel with various different content,” he told fans. “Car stuff, life stuff, and spooky ghost stuff.”

It’s a surprising but endearing move for such a high-profile soap star. The channel, named “SimonGregoryDadad,” allows Gregson to connect with fans in a more personal, off-script way. His relaxed, self-deprecating humor is on full display, proving that while Steve McDonald might be a character, Simon Gregson is just as charismatic and relatable in his own right.

What remains unclear, however, is what this reflective tone and his diversifying projects might mean for his future on Coronation Street. Is this newfound openness about his past, combined with his exploration of other creative avenues, a soft goodbye to his iconic role? Many long-time soap actors eventually step back, especially when they begin pursuing other interests. The question lingers: could Gregson be preparing for a final curtain call for Steve McDonald?

The timing for such a move would certainly be dramatic. With ITV recently launching a new YouTube strategy for both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, including releasing full episodes on the platform, younger and more tech-savvy audiences are increasingly being pulled into the soap universe. As new characters rise and old ones inevitably fade, the landscape of Weatherfield is continually shifting. A graceful exit for Steve McDonald – should that indeed be in the cards – would undoubtedly mark the end of a significant era for the show and its millions of dedicated viewers.

Still, Gregson has not explicitly stated he’s leaving the show. For now, fans can take solace in his continued presence both on-screen and online. His reflections aren’t a resignation letter; rather, they serve as a powerful reminder of how far he’s come. From a teenager chasing a bright orange car to becoming one of Britain’s most enduring and beloved television stars, Simon Gregson’s journey is as extraordinary and unpredictable as any storyline Coronation Street could ever dream up.

In the ever-changing world of soap operas, where plots twist and characters vanish overnight, Simon Gregson’s three-and-a-half decades stand as a rare testament to consistency, resilience, and an unexpected destiny. He may have initially embarked on this path for the money, but he undeniably stayed for something far more meaningful – and in doing so, he has given generations of viewers a character, in Steve McDonald, whom they will never forget. Whether this period of reflection is the beginning of a slow farewell or simply a nostalgic detour in a long and illustrious career, one thing is abundantly clear: Simon Gregson, and by extension, Steve McDonald, have left an indelible mark on Coronation Street that no one else ever could.