CORONATION Street legend Simon Gregson has revealed a second side hustle after he was slapped with a huge tax bill.
We previously reported how the Steve McDonald actor, 49, who joined the ITV soap back in 1989, had taken a job as a guide on the soap set.
Simon, who is on a £150,000 salary, is paid a fee to show Coronation Street die-hards around the cobbled Weatherfield set.
Yet now he is also writing a children’s book to help pay off the £100,000 tax bill.
Additionally, he owes money to Coutts bank for a Covid bounce-back loan – bringing his total owed to £165,000, we can exclusively reveal.
In November 2023, The Sun was told how Simon’s firm had gone bust and he had called in liquidators.
Now the Manchester star, who was born in Wythenshawe, is penning a kids’ book to help ease money woes.
He shared a glimpse of the colourful, tree-filled images to accompany his character in The Dream Dragon.
After showcasing a scene in a forest he shared a snap of the protagonist itself enjoying a drink from a stream.
In his caption, the soap stalwart wrote: “With huge thanks to the amazing Aliya Stevens the illustrations for my new book THE DREAM DRAGON are finished.
“Now to put it all together and hope people love it as much as we do.”
He told how the character was “Fergus the tree hump” and added: “I’m still writing so wish me luck x”
His co-stars were quick to show their support, with Claire Sweeney adding a post which read: “Can’t wait to ready it with Jaxon x”
Sally Carmen then posted: “Gorgeous!”
Previously, we told how Simon was also flogging old furniture to get his debt down.
The beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
The show follows the lives of the residents as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
Here’s the latest on:
A report into the demise of Simon Gregson Productions Ltd revealed very little in cash or assets to offset the debts.
It noted: “The office equipment has a book value in the Company’s financial statements as at year end 30 September 2022 of £4,208.
“The realisable value is uncertain although due to the age and condition of the equipment it is anticipated any realisations will be minimal.”
The firm had £6,000 in cash in its coffers at the time it ceased trading.
The report also revealed that Simon and wife Emma – both directors of the firm – borrowed £252,824 from the firm’s company account.
The number crunchers said they were “uncertain” as to whether the cash would be repaid.
Simon also agreed a fee of £5,000 with the insolvency firm to liquidate his firm.
The report added: “Begbies Traynor (London) LP were engaged to assist the Director in the preparation of the Statement of Affairs under section 99 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and with the Qualifying Decision Procedure.
“An initial fee of £5,000 plus VAT was agreed for the work and Begbies has received this in full.”
The debts have racked up despite Simon making millions in Corrie.
The popular actor was runner up in the 2021 series of I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here and supposedly earned a £250k appearance fee.
He later told Good Morning Britain that he did it because “the money is good” and it was “enough to get him out of trouble” comparing the fee to a “solid gold diamond goblet.”
