Simon Gregson revered Corrie's Roache, Briggs

Simon Gregson has described the effect high-profile actors on Coronation Street had on him when he joined the show.

Gregson, who has played Steve McDonald since 1989, said that he was "in awe" of William Roache (Ken Barlow) and Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin).

"I was in awe of people like William Roache and Johnny Briggs when I started.You knew you were joining something big with those types of actors," he told Inside Soap.

The 36-year-old highlighted the now-retired Bill Tarmey as a particular inspiration for his characterisation of his hapless alter ego.

"Bill Tarmey often gave me advice. He did that with a lot of the younger cast members. He'd advise me how to think differently about a scene, or see something I'd done and praise me by saying, 'keep that up'," the star added.

Earlier this week, Gregson also outlined his hope that Steve would stay celibate following his messy break-up with wife Becky.