Simon Gregson, a star of Coronation Street, has played Steve McDonald since 1989 and has been a part of several painful storylines throughout the years.
Simon Gregson, a star of Coronation Street, appeared on Lorraine Kelly’s show and talked openly about his new health diagnosis and his struggles for more than 20 years.
The opening line of Lorraine’s introduction to Simon for Thursday’s program was, “Simon Gregson has portrayed Steve McDonald on the street for 34 years.
Simon has admitted, though, that he has battled anxiety for about 20 years behind the scenes.
Simon gave an explanation of how it began and the beginning of his trip, saying: “Well, the whole worry thing had really reached a boiling point about 2015 or so.
“Because I had no idea what it was and I just keep having these mysterious diseases, you know, and I become extremely sick. I underwent continuous examinations, including heart and brain scans, and at one point they suspected that I was experiencing vertigo.
When I finally went to visit my local GP and a psychiatrist, he said, “You have had an anxiety disorder and you have had it for a long, long time.” I had been suffering from all these terrible illnesses.
Simon continued by describing the moment when his anxiety was at its peak. He stated at the time, he had called his ITV employer to let him know he had made it into his car but was unable to leave the driveway due to panic attacks.
Simon replied: “I went to visit the GP and then ITV called a doctor in. Did you obtain help yourself or did someone have to say to you, “You need..”?
Six months off, this is crazy, said the wonderful doctor they (ITV) brought in who works with the Royal Navy and the Royal Family.
So I went and found a fantastic therapist for myself, and now one of my best friends has seen a psychiatrist. I also went to the gym and ate well.
Simon mentioned how his Coronation Street character had a depressive plot line and said it “couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
“I had to do a scenario in which I had to experience a panic attack, so I decided to walk this. Will I experience a panic attack? Unable to have one.
“I went from having 10, 11, and 12 a day for no reason, completely awful, and I couldn’t have one when I wanted one, so that’s when I thought this is all psycho-semantic.”
- “Corrie Spoilers: Carla Faces Threats, Hope Strikes Again, and Updates on Bethany”
- “CARLA Connor Shares a Heartfelt Moment with Another Resident Following Her Attack at the Factory in Next Week’s Coronation Street”
- “Coronation Street’s Betsy Swain Actress ‘Senses Trouble’ with Major New Arrival”
- “Exclusive: Coronation Street Star Speaks Out About Rowan’s Comeback”
- “Coronation Street: Kit Linked to Joel’s Disappearance”
