For more than three decades, Simon Gregson has been a constant, comforting presence on British television—a familiar face whose comic timing and emotional depth

have made Steve McDonald one of Coronation Street’s most enduring characters. But away from the cobbles, the 51-year-old actor is facing a far more sobering reality.

As ongoing financial pressures continue to bear down on him, Gregson has now taken the unusual step of selling tickets to a fan curry night in a bid to steady his finances,

highlighting the stark contrast between on-screen success and real-life struggle. According to recent reports, Gregson is repaying a substantial £250,000 loan taken from his own production company, Simon Gregson Productions Ltd. While the sum itself is daunting, the complications surrounding the loan—and the eventual liquidation of the company—have left the actor navigating a complex and increasingly stressful financial landscape.

A Company Wound Down, Debts Left Behind

The trouble intensified in 2023 when Simon Gregson Productions Ltd was formally liquidated. The winding-up of the company left Gregson owing around £165,000 to HMRC and Coutts bank, a figure that immediately raised alarm bells about the long-term impact on his personal finances.

Since then, Gregson has reportedly been making repayments in monthly instalments of £1,500. While this steady approach demonstrates commitment and responsibility, the sheer scale of the outstanding debt means progress has been slow—and the pressure relentless.

Liquidators Begbies Taynor confirmed that £18,000 was repaid over the past 12 months, in line with the agreed settlement terms. However, the balance remains significant enough that the administration of the case is ongoing, with no immediate resolution in sight.

In a particularly sobering development, liquidators have reportedly advised Gregson that if the outstanding balance is not cleared within 36 months, the remaining sum may need to be paid through the sale of his property. For an actor who has spent most of his life working steadily in one of the UK’s most successful soaps, the prospect of losing his home underscores just how serious the situation has become.

Simon Gregson has turned to selling £37 curry night tickets as his financial woes continue (pictured 2025)

The Coronation Street star, 51, who is best known for his portrayal of Steve McDonald, is repaying a £250,00 loan which he took from his production firm (pictured on the soap)

 

£37 Curry Nights: A New Way to Meet Fans

Against this backdrop, Gregson has turned to a more personal—and public—way of supplementing his income. According to reports, the actor has signed up for a live fan event in Derby titled “Paul Cowland hosts an audience with Simon Gregson.” The evening promises an intimate meet-and-greet, with tickets priced at £25 for entry, plus an optional £12 add-on for a curry and a drink—bringing the total to £37.

The event, hosted alongside presenter Paul Cowland, is being billed as a relaxed and entertaining night where fans can hear Gregson speak candidly about his life, his long-standing love of cars, and his decades-long journey on Coronation Street. Promotional material describes the evening as one of “laughs, drinks and good food,” offering supporters a rare chance to connect with the actor beyond the screen.

While celebrity fan events are nothing new, the timing has inevitably drawn attention, with many viewing the curry night as a sign of just how urgently Gregson needs to bolster his finances.

Mounting Costs and Ongoing Administration

Further complicating matters are reports that winding down Simon Gregson Productions Ltd cost an eye-watering £51,000—despite an apparent cap of £44,000 being in place. This additional expense only deepened the financial hole, leaving Gregson with fewer options and a longer road to recovery.

In a statement, the liquidators explained that they were unable to conclude their duties due to the remaining balance on the director’s loan account, confirming that the administration will continue into the next review period. For Gregson, this means prolonged uncertainty, with his finances under scrutiny and no quick fix available.

Now, according to The Sun, Simon has signed up to chat with fans at a £25-a-head event alongside presenter Paul Cowland. The event, set to take place in Derby next month, is titled ‘Paul Cowland hosts an audience with Simon Gregson’ (Simon pictured 2023)

Personal Life Under the Microscope

As if financial pressure weren’t enough, Gregson’s personal life has also been dragged into the spotlight. Last year, reports emerged suggesting he had split from his wife, Emma Gleave, after she was described as his “estranged wife” in court documents related to the loan repayments.

The claims quickly sparked speculation about turmoil behind closed doors. However, Gregson was forced to publicly refute the rumours, blaming what he described as a “court paper error” for the confusion. Sources close to the couple later confirmed that Simon and Emma had not separated and were “very much together,” leaving both baffled by the wording used in the financial paperwork.

The episode was yet another reminder of how financial difficulties can spill over into deeply personal territory, blurring the lines between professional setbacks and private life.

A Career That Began in the Spotlight

Simon Gregson’s journey on Coronation Street began in December 1989, when he was just 15 years old. Almost overnight, he became a household name, with millions tuning in to watch Steve McDonald’s antics as a rebellious teenager navigating life on the cobbles.

But the fame came at a cost. In recent years, Gregson has spoken openly about the impact early success had on his mental health. In a candid interview on the YouTube channel DEEP, he admitted that the sudden rise to fame was overwhelming, particularly given the lack of support available to young actors at the time.

“We were massive overnight,” he recalled, describing how he and co-star Nicholas Cochrane—who played Steve’s on-screen brother Andy—were thrust into the public eye without guidance or preparation. “It was very odd and it was hard to compute for a young man. But there was no help.”

Last year the actor was forced to refute claims that he has split from his wife Emma Gleave, blaming a ‘court paper error’ for the confusion surrounding the status of their relationship (both pictured 2010)

Lessons Learned, Support Improved

Gregson contrasted his own experience with the support systems now in place for young performers on the show. Today, new cast members are briefed on the realities of fame, from press scrutiny to fan reactions and the potential impact on family life.

“But with us, there was nothing,” he said. “We were kind of dropped in the middle of the ocean at fifteen and left to swim to shore.”

The reflections add another layer of poignancy to Gregson’s current situation. After decades of steady work and cultural relevance, he now finds himself confronting financial instability—an experience that serves as a stark reminder that long-term fame does not always guarantee long-term security.

A Resilient Figure Facing an Uncertain Future

Despite the challenges, Gregson remains a beloved figure among Coronation Street fans, many of whom are expected to rally behind him at events like the Derby curry night. His willingness to meet supporters face-to-face, share stories, and laugh through adversity speaks to a resilience that has defined both his career and his character on screen.

Yet the reality remains sobering. With a large loan still hanging over him, ongoing repayments, and the looming possibility of selling his home, Simon Gregson’s financial battle is far from over. As he continues to juggle life on the cobbles with the pressures behind the scenes, his story offers a powerful—and cautionary—glimpse into the fragile balance between celebrity, success, and security.