Coronation Street's Steve McDonald will be left "gutted" when on-screen partner Michelle Connor breaks up with him.
The brassy barmaid - played by Kym Marsh - calls time on their relationship next week after discovering that Steve knew about Peter Barlow's affair with Tina McIntyre, but actor Simon Gregson thinks the couple should work it out as they've made it through far worse.
Michelle is left disgusted and packs her bags when she learns Steve lied to help cover Peter's tracks, even though he knew the affair would hurt Michelle's pregnant pal, Peter's wife Carla (Alison King).
Simon reasoned: "Michelle has forgiven Steve for much worse than this, but she packs her bags and leaves. Steve tries to tell her that he didn't want to be the one to tear Carla's world apart by breaking the news to her - especially after finding out she was pregnant - but it's no good. He knows that he should have told Michelle at least.
"I just don't think it would be right for this to be the thing that breaks them. Steve would be gutted if it did."
Following Tina's death, Peter (Chris Gascoyne) is named as prime suspect in the murder investigation and Steve realises his neck is on the line, too, after helping provide Peter alibis for his liaisons with Tina.
Simon told Inside Soap magazine: "He ends up pinning Peter up against a wall. Steve has completely lost patience with this guy, who hasn't thought for one second that his actions might have affected Steve and his life."
Tagged in Alison King Chris Gascoyne Simon Gregson