For over three decades, Simon Gregson has been a permanent fixture in the hearts of Coronation Street fans as the unforgettable Steve McDonald. With his sharp wit, romantic entanglements, and legendary comic timing, Steve has become more than just a character – he’s become a cornerstone of British television. But now, in a recent podcast appearance, Simon Gregson has revealed a shocking truth about how and why he first joined the cobbles, and it’s left fans both nostalgic and heartbroken.

Gregson’s career has spanned 36 years on the ITV soap – a staggering run in an industry where characters often come and go like the weather in Weatherfield. But in his candid conversation on the Fueling Around podcast, Simon stunned listeners by admitting that his original motivation for auditioning for the role had nothing to do with dreams of stardom or passion for acting.

“I wasn’t an actor,” he confessed. “I wanted to join the RAF originally. The reason I went for it was for money.” At just 15 years old, the young Simon spotted a bright orange Ford Escort Mexico and decided he needed a way to buy it. The soap opera audition, he thought, might help him earn just enough to put something towards his dream car.

It’s a revelation that adds a bittersweet layer to Gregson’s legacy. While fans have watched Steve McDonald grow from a cheeky teenager into a central figure of Coronation Street, the man behind the role never expected to stick around – let alone build an iconic legacy. “It was 4 grand in 1989,” he laughed. “That was a lot of money then.”

And yet, against all odds, what began as a teenage money-making opportunity evolved into a lifelong career. Steve McDonald became a household name, embroiled in countless romantic disasters, business failures, hilarious gaffes, and moments of real emotional depth. He married seven times (some of them twice to the same woman!), survived car crashes, mental health battles, and even a kidney stone storyline that had the nation wincing.

But behind the scenes, Gregson has quietly been building a life that extends far beyond the cobbled streets of Weatherfield. In the past year, he launched a YouTube channel — a side project that showcases his genuine passions, from vintage cars to paranormal phenomena. “My analog brain is going to try and do a YouTube channel with various different content,” he told fans. “Car stuff, life stuff, and spooky ghost stuff.”

It’s a surprising but endearing move. The channel, named “SimonGregoryDadad,” allows Gregson to connect with fans in a more personal, off-script way. His relaxed, self-deprecating humor is on full display, proving that while Steve McDonald might be a character, Simon Gregson is just as charismatic.

What remains unclear, however, is what this reflective tone means for his future on Coronation Street. Is this newfound openness about his past and his diversifying projects a soft goodbye? After all, many long-time soap actors eventually step back, especially when they begin exploring other creative avenues. Could Gregson be preparing for a final curtain call?

The timing would certainly be dramatic. With ITV recently launching a new YouTube strategy for both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, including releasing full episodes at 7 a.m. on the platform, younger and more tech-savvy audiences are now being pulled into the soap universe. And as new characters rise and old ones fade, the landscape of Weatherfield is shifting. A graceful exit for Steve McDonald — should that be in the cards — would mark the end of an era.

Still, Gregson has not explicitly said he’s leaving. For now, fans can take solace in his continued presence both on-screen and online. His reflections aren’t a resignation letter — they’re a reminder of how far he’s come. From chasing a bright orange car as a teen to becoming one of Britain’s most enduring  TV stars, Simon Gregson’s journey is as extraordinary as any storyline Coronation Street could dream up.

In the ever-changing world of soap operas, where plots twist and characters vanish overnight, Simon Gregson’s three-and-a-half decades stand as a rare testament to consistency, resilience, and unexpected destiny. He may have started for the money, but he stayed for something far more meaningful — and in doing so, gave generations of viewers a character they’ll never forget.

Whether this is the beginning of a slow farewell or just a nostalgic detour, one thing is clear: Simon Gregson — and Steve McDonald — have left a mark on Coronation Street that no one else ever could.