Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by swmc66

It is not very convincing. With real depression you stop functioning.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maidmarian

...writers dont do enough
research.
So instead of increasing awareness - they
confirm missconceptions and trivialise the
serious problems somepeople have to.deal with.
As its still early in.storyline- hoping for
improvement

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by swmc66

Too many people watch the show and will set mental health awareness back a decade

---

I'm hoping the writers have done their research and that Steve is currently on a downward spiral which will worsen significantly (not that I want to see Steve suffering, I just want the portrayal to be true to life). Steve currently can't cope with stress and is running away from his responsibilities, but things are likely to worsen for him. Let's hope Steve's illness progresses realistically. The last thing real sufferers need is it being shown as something than can be snapped out of with a little willpower.

I also don't like the way Steve is being portrayed as lazy when he runs two businesses! Michelle's party planning sideline is brand new but you'd think she'd been running it single-handedly for years the way she was going on last night. I can't blame Steve from running away from Michelle, who seems to be either mocking him or playing the martyr.

I've got no sympathy for Michelle as she's making Steve's change of personality all about her, which isn't an appealing characteristic. I do have plenty of sympathy with people dealing with loved ones' mental health problems in real life though. It's tough for everyone involved.

Coronation Street's producer Stuart Blackburn has spoken about the show's mini-bus crash for the first time, promising that the stunt will have big repercussions.

The ITV soap recently announced that a major storyline airing in January will see disaster strike when a work outing for the Underworld factory staff goes horribly wrong.

Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) will be in charge of transporting the workers in a Streetcars mini-bus, but lives will be left on the line when the vehicle crashes.

Speaking to Digital Spy at the RTS North West Awards, Blackburn said: "The crash is going to have proper implications. It's not going to be one of those storylines where everyone is up and walking again the day after like nothing has happened.

"I always like stories to bring consequence and change, so there will be consequences from the crash - some not so good, but some will actually be really positive. It'll be a biggie!"

Coronation Street's cast and crew have now started work on the dramatic episodes, which will be filmed on night shoots over the coming days.

Some stars already have been sharing sneak peeks from the shoots with their fans on Twitter.

And so the endless nightshoots begin...#CorrieCrash

— Antony Cotton (@antonycotton) November 18, 2014

The calm before the storm...
@itvcorrie #CorrieCrash pic.twitter.com/3GnnfkFIPe

— Antony Cotton (@antonycotton) November 18, 2014

Night shoot with my girl @kateford76 pic.twitter.com/JJhCjDtESJ

— Kym Marsh (@msm4rsh) November 18, 2014

The crash will also tie in with Steve's ongoing depression storyline, forcing him to finally face up to his demons following months of being in denial.

Discussing the positive viewer response to Steve's story, Blackburn added: "I'm so relieved, because it's such a gamble taking a character like Steve - the joker - and throwing him into something like this. But I always knew Simon Gregson could pull it off - even if Simon didn't sometimes!

"I wanted to show people what Simon could do and I think he's pulling it off in bucketloads."

Quote:

---

"I wanted to show people what Simon could do and I think he's pulling it off in bucketloads."

---

Well he has certainly fooled me.

It shows that Stuart Blackburn has no idea! At least Simon Gregson knows his limitations

New pictures of the Coronation Street mini-bus crash have surfaced online.

The cast and crew have been captured filming scenes for next year's explosive mini-bus crash storyline.

http://i2.cdnds.net/14/48/618x404/so...ie-crash-1.jpg
Corrie The Minibus Crash Next
The Corrie mini bus crash is filmed
Copyright: REX/MCPIX 1 of 7


The disaster happens when Carla Connor (Alison King) and her Underworld employees go on a night out together in a Street Cars mini-bus driven by Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).

The unofficial paparazzi images show the overturned mini-bus in the aftermath of the crash.

Underworld employees including Sally Webster, Kirk Sutherland, Sean Tully, Julie Carp, Sinead Tinker and Maddie Heath have also been photographed.

Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in the soap, said the scenes will be very dramatic.

"There are people hanging upside down, there are people crawling across the roof, and Sean's unconscious.

"Somebody else has got blood dripping out their head and the bus is on its side, so it sounds like it's going to be big!"

Coronation Street will air the crash storyline in January.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3...oX4SYZ4vP1xRi9

does anyone die in the crash?

they have said someone is on life support
( I think some posters are hoping its
Michelle and theres a prob with plug!)
but I havent seen anywhere yet about
a death.
Dont know if any one leaving or whose
contract is ending.

they have said someone is on life support
( I think some posters are hoping its
Michelle and theres a prob with plug!)
but I havent seen anywhere yet about
a death.
Dont know if any one leaving or whose
contract is ending.

I don't think so i think they all live

Coronation Street's Steve McDonald will face more challenges over the festive season as he rejects his former partner Michellle Connor and continues to spend money extravagantly.

Steve is secretly suffering from depression in his current storyline, but the show's Christmas episodes will see him attempt to bounce back for the sake of his young daughter Amy.

Here, Simon Gregson - who plays Steve - discusses his character's struggle this Christmas and what the New Year holds for him.
http://i1.cdnds.net/14/49/618x400/so...rie-8538-4.jpg
Steve hurts Lloyd's feelings
© ITV
Steve hurts Lloyd's feelings

Is Steve aware of how much he's already over-spending?
"He is getting very good at blocking things out - it is typical behaviour for someone going through what he is going through. Spending money becomes about the quick fix to make him feel better briefly and then he comes crashing down again."

Is he worried about it?
"He is worried about how he is feeling but he is still refusing to do something about it. He knows spending the money is wrong but like everything else he pushes any conscious concerns about it out of his mind."

How is he going to feel when everyone finds out where the cash is coming from?
"Well we aren't there yet - I think it will be ones of the things that makes him realise how bad things have got."

Has anyone come close to helping him yet?
"The problem is they don't know he needs help. He is very clever at letting people believe he is just having a mid-life crisis. They tried to help at the start but when he shut them out they just got very frustrated with him. Maybe someone not quite as close to him like Andrea could be the key."

How do Michelle and Liz deal with his over the top behaviour?
"They are bemused and confused. Michelle is devastated by his rejection of her and she still can't work out why he ended the relationship. It is a difficult time for everyone but Steve is so lost in the depression he isn't really thinking about the effect he is having on the others."
http://i2.cdnds.net/14/49/618x431/so...rie-8542-1.jpg
Liz worries Steve won't show up for Amy
© ITV
Liz worries Steve won't show up for Amy

Why is he being so over the top?
"It is partly to try and make himself feel better and also partly to again put people off the scent but the extremes of behaviour are starting to really worry everyone."

What about Amy? Does she realise something's up?
"When it gets to Christmas Day even Amy realises her dad is behaving strangely and he has spent a fortune on her which is not normal behaviour. It is unsettling for Amy but he doesn't see that, he just thinks it is the thing to do."

How is he feeling about his split from Michelle?
"Again, he is burying his feelings and shutting her out so he is trying to ignore the fact that he does still love her. He doesn't feel he is worthy of anyone so it is easier just to be on his own."

Can you talk us through the events on Christmas Day where he rejects Michelle?
"Steve has foolishly promised Amy everything on Christmas Day - even snow! When it gets to late in the day and it hasn't snowed, he asks Michelle to make it happen and they go upstairs to sprinkle fake snow out of the window. But sadly Michelle reads the wrong signal and in a moment of what she sees as closeness she assumes he wants to get back with her - he has to reject her which is awful."

What will it take for Steve to seek help?
"It is going to take a huge crisis or event to make him finally admit what is going on. For it to be realistic, it had to be a story that was told over a period of time not just rushed through but we are starting to film the turning point for Steve."
http://i2.cdnds.net/14/49/618x341/so...rie-8543-5.jpg
Eileen and Andrea confront Steve
© ITV
Eileen and Andrea confront Steve

Do you enjoy filming Christmas scenes? Does it put you off real Christmas, or make it more exciting?
"By the time we get to our real Christmas it almost feels like Easter as we film so far ahead. We have been doing Christmas Corrie and Text Santa so it does feel like Christmas had been going on forever. It's a good job there is a gap between the fictional Christmas and the real one otherwise none of us would want to eat our real Christmas dinner or see another decoration again!"

The bus crash is in the pipeline, what do you make of what's in store?
"We have already started to film it and it is looking fantastic. This is the turning point for Steve and it is very cleverly done. The stunt is great, it is being filmed across 3 weeks and there is a real buzz about it."

What does the New Year hold for Steve?
"It will be a year of ups and downs for Steve - it is not going to be a quick fix recovery for him and that is the right way to do it."

Are viewers set to be shocked by what happens to him?
"I think people were surprised that Steve was the one at the centre of this storyline but we have had some great feedback. Steve is a comedy character but that is why it is important to show that even the least likely people can be hit by depression. The mini bus crash is shocking but it is a real wake up call for Steve."