Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson says he has quit cigarettes and alcohol after drunken Grand National bust up

Simon Gregson says he no longer smokes or drinks alcohol as he wants to be an example to his children after he was caught up in a boozy bust up at the Grand National earlier this year.

The Coronation Street actor, 48, claims in a new interview that he hasn’t puffed on a cigarette for the past four months, and hasn’t drunk for even longer,

Appearing on The Parenting Podcast, Gregson - who shares sons Alfie, 15, Harry, 13, and Henry, six, with wife Emma Gleave - explained: “I used to smoke, but I haven’t smoked for four months and I haven’t drank for longer.

“I used to sit there with a glass of wine and a fag and be like that [to his children], ‘Don’t ever drink and smoke.’ So I was like, ‘I’m going to have to lead by example here.’ “

His words come after the actor, who plays Steve McDonald was quizzed in the back of a police van in April after he was involved in a bust up in a Toby Carvery pub opposite the Grand National racecourse at Aintree, Merseyside.

On April 8, Gregson – who has appeared in the ITV soap since 1989 – had been enjoying hospitality with other celebrities at Aintree Ladies Day and was photographed drinking Guinness in one of the famous course’s luxury suites earlier in the day.

Police confirmed at the time they were investigating a reported “altercation” between two men at The Rocking Horse, a Toby Carvery.

A source told the Sunday Mirror at the time: “There was a bust-up and bouncers kicked him out – they pinned him to the ground before the police arrived. He was taken to the police van and spoken to for some time. It was all very messy.”

A police spokesman confirmed the incident to the Standard at the time, saying: “We can confirm Merseyside Police were in attendance at the Rocking Horse pub on Grand National Avenue, Aintree.

“At around 9.20pm we received a report that two men were involved in an altercation inside the pub. No injuries were reported and the victim declined to make a formal complaint to police. Inquiries are ongoing.”

The police investigation has since been dropped.

Gregson will next be seen starring in ITV’s one-off special Queens For The Night this Saturday where he along with other celebrities, including former Love Island star Chris Hughes and spandex-wearing legend Mr Motivator, will all undergo the ultimate drag makeover.