Beverley Callard has revealed that she helped co-star Simon Gregson throughout his childhood bullying ordeal.
The Coronation Street duo worked together on the ITV soap for over three decades.
During an appearance on Loose Women today (December 2), Beverley praised Simon as he competes in I’m A Celebrity.
Beverley Callard on Corrie co-star Simon Gregson
The actress previously played Simon’s on-screen mum Liz McDonald.
Meanwhile, Simon joined Corrie as the lovable Steve McDonald at the age of 14.
On Loose Women, Beverley opened up on helping the actor during his younger years.
There was a little big of jealousy from his peers
She told the panel: “When I first met him he was 14 years old and he was a really good looking lad.
“He’s a really good looking man, but he was a really good looking lad.”
Bev continued: “We used to say the twins – Steve and Andy – were a bit like Bros. All the girls fancied him, so he was bullied by the boys.
Read more: Beverley Callard hits out at ‘unfair’ editing on I’m A Celebrity
“There was a little big of jealousy from his peers. Charlie [Lawson] and I helped him with everything – absolutely everything.”
Beverley went on to praise Simon and backed him to win the show.
She added: “Everyone loves the character of Steve McDonald because he’s so funny, but Simon is funnier. I think once they see the real him, they’ll just fall in love with him even more.”
Will Beverley return to Corrie?
Meanwhile, Beverley also addressed a potential return to Corrie.
The actor, who first joined the soap in 1989, waved goodbye to the cobbles last year.
And it appears that Bev is too busy to return anytime soon.
She said on the show: “I can’t at the moment because – fingers crossed, touch wood – I’m too busy. But I will always love Corrie because I’ve spent most of my life there.”
It comes after Beverley hit out at the editing on I’m A Celebrity.
The soap star appeared in the Welsh castle last year, where she struck up a friendship with Jordan North.
Read more: I’m A Celebrity star Beverley Callard gets HUGE new tattoo on her leg
Speaking on Rylan’s Ry-Union podcast, she said: “None of us were confrontational, not one of us. Nobody was trying to pull the camera all the time, nobody was moody…
“I think the editing in some way was a little bit unfair because they showed some of lots of people and not very much of other people.
“But that just goes with the job unfortunately.”
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