Change is on its way for Steve MacDonald in Coronation Street - and a fresh start with none other than Cassie Plummer could be on the cards.
Actor Simon Gregson was grilled over his ITV alter ego's future in Weatherfield this Tuesday on This Morning as both Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard commented on Steve's chemistry with fellow resident Cassie Plummer, portrayed by Claire Sweeney.
Earlier this year, Steve was devastated when his wife Tracy Barlow left the cobbles to join her lover Tommy Orpington in Spain, which led him to embark on a speed dating evening with troublemaker Cassie.
Soap viewers will remember that Tracy ended her marriage with Steve after her affair with the former footballer, claiming she'd grown bored of their marriage monotony and the admission caused a rift within her family, particularly as her daughter Amy was far from pleased with her actions.
"There's a little bit of a spark with Cassie, she comes on the scene obviously, that's on our screens at the moment. There's definitely a spark there," Simon said about his character's blossoming bond with the daughter of no-nonsense Evelyn Plummer.
"She's troubled, she's got a glint in her eye and Steve likes that, they're quite similar in ways. What happens there? Who knows! You'll have to keep watching," he teased with a playful smile.
Soon enough, Ben and Cat wanted to know what Simon thought of Helen Worth's upcoming exit from the Manchester-based drama, which made recent headlines as the Gail Platt actress is leaving the long-running show after five decades.
"Helen is one of the most loveliest people you could ever meet so she's going to be missed. But she's done 50 years, not many jobs you can do for 50 years, you've still got to leave on top of your game. I think she deserves a well-deserved rest, but she will be missed," Simon said, before revealing that he isn't due to leave the cobbles any time soon.
Helen is one of Weatherfield's longest-standing residents alongside the likes of Ken Barlow (William Roache) and on-screen mother Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls), as she made her debut in the program on July 29, 1974.
The TV icon has portrayed Gail since she was first introduced to viewers as Audrey's happy-go-lucky daughter, whom she raised alone. She also holds the record for Coronation Street's most married women as she has tied the knot with six different men over the years.
Producer Iain MacLeod spoke out following the news of her departure from the program, claiming: "Gail has given us countless hours of entertainment."
The soap boss then praised Helen, who won the outstanding achievement award at The British Soap Awards in 2014 for her performance, for being a "consummate professional and a thoroughly good egg." Filming for her final scenes is due to begin in July, 2024.
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