Gregson grateful for Corrie milestone

Coronation Street star Simon Gregson has revealed that he feels honoured to have reached his 20th year in the soap.

This week marks the anniversary of Gregson making his first appearance as Weatherfield favourite Steve McDonald on the ITV1 programme.

The actor's debut episode, which aired on December 6, 1989, saw Steve arriving on the cobbles as a 15-year-old alongside twin brother Andy (Nicholas Cochrane) and their parents Jim and Liz, played by Charles Lawson and Beverley Callard. He has since helped to establish the wisecracker as one of the programme's most popular characters.

Speaking to The Mirror, Gregson commented: "It doesn't seem like 20 years at all. It's great fun - I just love going to work. I feel fortunate to still be here. It feels like going to school and having a laugh with my mates instead of going to work. It's a great job."

On how he landed the part, the 35-year-old explained: "I think Granada just went round a few secondary schools in Manchester looking for two boys to play these twins.

"One day we were in assembly when some people from the company turned up and asked if anyone was interested. It was the telly so loads of us volunteered. We had to have our pictures taken and went to Granada to do some improvisation.

"I had no acting experience but a week later I'd got the job. Even now, 20 years on, my mum reckons it could all end tomorrow. I've grown up on Coronation Street, though."

Earlier this week, it emerged that Steve and Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams (Betty Driver) will be involved in a poisoning plotline next year.