Coronation Street star Simon Gregson has provided an update on his health after previously revealing his struggles with anxiety attacks during filming for the ITV soap.
The 50-year-old actor, who has been a part of the Corrie ensemble since he was just 15, playing the iconic character Steve McDonald, admitted that his early rise to fame led to problems later in life, including alcohol issues which have now resulted in an anxiety disorder.
His drinking problem nearly cost him his relationship with his wife Emma Gleave, leading to her giving him an ultimatum. It was at this point that Simon decided to quit drinking, but found himself dealing with debilitating anxiety that necessitated a six-month break from work.
Back in 2015, when his wife Emma was pregnant with their third child, Simon realised he couldn’t continue as he was and took a half-year hiatus from acting to seek the help he needed. He was subsequently diagnosed with the mental health condition.
A decade after his diagnosis, Simon appeared on Loose Women to candidly discuss his journey and coping strategies, hoping to provide support to others experiencing similar struggles, reports Lancs Live.
Simon updated on his health after taking six months off of work previously
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Speaking to the panel on Thursday (Jan 2nd), which included host Sunetra Sarker, Kelle Bryan, Linda Robson and Dame Kelly Holmes, Simon shared how far he’d come and gave insight into what life was really like during that time.
He revealed: “With me it came to a head in 2015 I had anxiety attacks. I’ve been having them all day today. No way I can go on I’ll just have to go home.”
Simon almost lost his wife after a short battle with alcohol
“It just hits you like a ton of bricks and makes you incapacitated. Had them since 1990 and I had children and they started noticing. And they start getting anxiety. I thought I’d passed it on, like a cold and knew I had to get a grip,” the actor added.
In the same heartfelt interview, Simon shared that he doubted his ability to go on air after experiencing a panic attack just before Loose Women was set to broadcast live. “I didn’t think I could come on here today but I thought I’ve got to and I had to be completely open with everybody and say I am having a panic attack,” he admitted to the panel, who responded with cheers in support of his bravery.
Simon almost didn’t make it on to Loose Women after his health was impacted backstage
During a conversation on the YouTube channel Deep, Simon recounted the moment he felt overwhelmed: “I remember ringing my boss, and he said, ‘You okay? ‘. I went, ‘No’. I said, ‘I’m in my car, ready to go work, I can’t get off the drive. I physically can’t drive the car off the drive. I can’t do it’.”
The actor was requested to return to filming, but his doctor intervened, insisting he take a break of at least six months: “Initially they said, well, ideally we could do with you back at this point, and it was like being given a goal post to get mentally better for, and that didn’t work for me. Luckily for me, the doctor was like, ‘No, this cannot be that. It has to be six months at least’.”
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1, from 12:30pm.