It’s shaping up to be the battle of the soap legends, as an EastEnders icon goes head to head with a Corrie favourite.
Actors Adam Woodyatt (Walford’s Ian Beale) and Simon Gregson (Weatherfield’s Steve McDonald) have both reportedly signed up for this year’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
The news has shone a light on a little known fact about Simon.
The 47 year old was born Simon Alan Gregory, with the soap star only using the name professionally when he was a child actor.
Once he was old enough to join the actors’ trade union Equity, he changed his acting name to Simon Gregson.
Equity rules state that performers can’t use the same name as anyone else on screen and there was already a Simon Gregory plying his trade.
Simon has been known as Gregson since he turned 16 and continues to use it for work.
He’s not the only Weatherfield regular to use a stage name – Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster) was born Michael Robert Turner.
Simon joined the ITV soap as tearaway teen Steve in 1989, a year before he was able to change his last name.
Steve’s mum Liz was played by Beverley Callard, who competed on I’m A Celebrity last year. It’s thought that her positive experience on the show helped persuade Simon to join up.
It’s also thought the show’s move to Wales from Australia helped make the decision easier for him.
Meanwhile, news broke earlier in the week that Adam Woodyatt – the only original EastEnders cast member – is also joining Ant and Dec at Gwrych Castle.
Unlikely pairings are an I’m A Celebrity staple, and it’s hoped that viewers will enjoy seeing two soap ‘rivals’ bonding on the show.
ITV bosses see the signing of the two actors as being ‘a real coup’ for the series and are hoping they will provide plenty of comedy to keep viewers entertained.
A source told The Sun: “Bosses know Corrie fans will get right behind him.
“Everyone knows Simon as Steve but now they’ll get to see a completely different side of him for the first time.
“Simon has previously shunned all reality shows and he has turned down I’m A Celeb a number of times before. But now his children are older, Simon started to think the timing was right.”
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
