Simon Gregson and Alexandra Mardell call each other "daughter" and "dad" after their 'Coronation Street' characters found out they were related.

Simon Gregson

Simon Gregson

The 44-year-old actor has taken to jokingly addressing the 26-year-old star as one of his own brood when they are off-screen, after her character Emma Brooker found out Steve McDonald is her real father.

Of the shock DNA plot, Alexandra said: "When Simon found out, he walked up to me and said, 'Hello daughter!'

"Now we just walk around saying, 'Hey, daughter', 'Hey dad'."

While the pair have been tasked with shooting some emotional scenes for the plot, Alexandra admitted it is harder trying not to fall about laughing at Simon.

She said: "Some of the scenes we've filmed together have been so emotional, but Simon is so funny that my biggest challenge is trying not to laugh at him."

Steve was in a relationship with Emma's mum Fiona Middleton - played by Angela Griffin - but she hasn't been in the show since 1998.

Viewers saw Emma make an emotional video call to her mother, who she doesn't have a good relationship with, as Angela made her return as Fiona.

On working with Angela, Alexandra admitted: "I do feel a bit nervous but Angela and I have been messaging, which is nice."

Alexandra was just five years old when her on-screen mum and dad were a couple, but the actress admits it is great that her character has followed in her mum's footsteps.

She told Inside Soap magazine: "Fiona lived in the flat above the salon, and worked in the salon.

"Which is exactly what Emma is doing now. I love that."


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