Coronation Street forced to call in doctor after star suffers 12 panic attacks in a day
A CORONATION Street star has opened up on his “debilitating” anxiety battle and suffering up to 12 panic attacks a day at the height of his mental illness.
Fan-favourite Simon Gregson, 48, has played cabbie Steve McDonald on the ITV soap for the past 34 years.
The Coronation Street stalwart told the Lorraine show how his mental health took a downward turn back in 2015, when he kept “getting really ill.”
After seeking professional help for symptoms including increased heart rate, numb fingers and vertigo, he went to the GP.
Simon candidly told host Lorraine Kelly, 63: “They said ‘you have an anxiety disorder and you have had it for a long time.'”
He later opened up on how his anxiety was “completely debilitating” and how some days he couldn’t get into work.
He said: “I called my boss in the car and told him I couldn’t get off the drive.”
ITV star Simon told how Corrie provided a doctor, used by the royal family, who came on to the Manchester set to assist.
Talking of his method of diagnosis, he said: “I went to go and see the GP and then ITV brought a doctor in.”
Lorraine interjected and said: “Did they? I was going to say that about Corrie they are your second family and have been really supportive,” to which Simon agreed: “They have been brilliant.
“They got this amazing doctor in who works with the Royal Navy and the Royal family and he was lovely.
“He went ‘six months off, this is crazy.'”
Talking of his experience of anxiety, Simon continued: “It’s an awful disease,” before he added: “I was a completely different person.
“You’re not yourself – you are inside but you can’t bring yourself out.
“You feel sick, you feel dizzy and your heart feels like it’s coming out of your chest.
“It’s horrendous and completely debilitating.”
Talking about his mission in speaking out, Simon continued: “It can happen to anyone in any walk of life. It’s completely invisible.
“My goal is to talk about it and highlight it.”
He then told of the apparent irony of his character Steve’s depression battle.
The actor told that despite having “10, 11 and 12 panic attacks a day,” he couldn’t act one out on demand for his scenes.
Fans were quick to react to his brave comments.
One took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to write: “Good on Simon for speaking out. He has a platform so highlighting this helps.
“Anxiety is a massive problem to many people.”
Another put: “Thank you for talking about anxiety. It is such a debilitating condition.”
Back in July, Simon exclusively told The Sun he sought treatment for his anxiety after a “eureka moment.“
He then told us he finally has control of the gruelling condition after retraining his brain.
He said: “Everyone has a mental trigger that can help with recovery.
“For me, it was thinking, ‘Do I want to be surrounded by my family on my deathbed wishing I had worried more?’
“No, I didn’t. That was a eureka moment. So now I just let things go. I’ve learned to train my brain not to hold on to stuff that doesn’t matter.”
Cases of anxiety have risen and according to the charity Mind, six in 100 people will be diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder in the UK, in any given week.
Anxiety is a normal feeling, also known as the “fight or flight” response.
When presented with stress or danger, the body pumps adrenalin through to body – allowing it to cope with the situation at hand.
However, anxiety can become a problem when this response occurs unnecessarily – either because the danger is not that severe, or there isn’t actually any danger at all.
Anxiety disorders can develop as a result of a number of factors, including stress, genetics and childhood environment.
Pop stars Zayn Malik and Olly Murs are part of a wider trend of celebrities challenging taboos around mental illness by speaking out about their experiences.
James Arthur recently spoke out on This Morning about his new book, Back to the Boy, which documents his battle with anxiety.
Will Young has spoken of his struggles with anxiety, which was reportedly the reason behind him quitting Strictly.