Coronation Street star, Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald in the ITV soap, has been spotted without his wedding ring fuelling rumours he’s split from his wife Emma
Coronation Street legend Simon Gregson has sparked concern over his marriage after appearing to ditch his wedding ring. The actor, 50, who plays Steve McDonald on the ITV soap, has been married to wife Emma for 14 years.
Simon fuelled split rumours earlier this year when a tax report regarding his finances said the star and his “estranged” wife, had three years to pay back debt from their production company’s account. And he’s now got tongues wagging again after appearing without his wedding band while out running errands after Emma was spotted without hers last month.
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Sporting a grey hoodie, baseball cap, jeans and Nike trainers, the dad-of-three looked deep in thought in Manchester as he opened up a packet of cigarettes with his ring finger noticeably bare and his phone in his pocket in photos shared by The Sun.
The sighting comes after the star caused concern among his fans when Emma was listed as his “estranged wife” in official documents.
The Mirror previously reported the Steve McDonald star could be forced to sell his house if he does not pay back a £252,000 loan he took from his production firm, with official papers showing the soap legend and Emma must repay Simon Gregson Productions a sum of £1,500 per month. The paperwork states the pair, who have been married for 14 years and have three sons, had separated. However, Coronation Street confirmed last week that the couple was still together.
The report read: “The Director had an overdrawn loan account of £252,824. The analysis also revealed that this money was removed from the Company’s bank account and paid into Mr Gregory’s joint bank account with his estranged wife. Therefore, any claim would be addressed to both individuals.”
After the story broke, Simon was papped standing next to a house with a For Sale sign.
However, a source told The Sun that the star’s marriage was still in tact, saying: “Simon and Emma have not split and are still very much together, “ the source said.
“Simon has no idea why Emma is listed as his ‘estranged wife’ in financial paperwork.”
Simon has often praised wife Emma, who runs a tea rooms in Cheshire, for supporting him while he keeps up with his hectic filming schedule.
Last year, the couple revealed that they were set up by one of his soap star colleagues. Speaking to Cheshire Life, Simon said: “We met 18 years ago in the pub in Eccles owned at the time by Beverley Callard,” with Emma adding: “I used to go to Bev’s pub with my brother Michael and she was running a singing competition called Eccles Factor.
“Simon was one of the judges and Bev asked me if I liked Simon, ‘as he’s single and he likes you’.” Simon asked Emma out on a date when they ran into each other at a charity event weeks later, and they’ve been together ever since.
The couple have three sons together; Alfie, 17, Harry, 15, and Henry, 8.
The Mirror has contacted Simon’s reps for comment on this story.
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