Coronation Street star Simon Gregson has opened up about the 11 tragic miscarriages he and his wife Emma Gleave have suffered, amid his character's stillbirth storyline on the soap.
It's a storyline that's broken the nation's hearts, but actor Simon has now revealed just how painful filming stillbirth scenes alongside co-star Kym Marsh was.
The dad of three revealed his wife Emma has suffered 11 miscarriages, and has explained how he felt 'completely helpless' and powerless each time.
He told The Mirror: 'As a bloke, being there and witness to all this, you feel completely helpless.'
Simon and Emma were married in 2010, and have three boys - Alfie, nine, Harry, seven and one-year-old Teddy.
The couple previously revealed they'd lost Teddy's twin early in the pregnancy, with Emma telling OK! magazine: 'Sadly only one of the twins survived. We're very lucky to have this one.
Simon with wife Emma and sons Alfie and Harry
'There's no reason or explanation for it. It was just one of those things. I was a little disheartened. We just thought that everything happens for a reason.'
Simon's co-star Kym Marsh also found the storyline incredibly difficult to film, having experienced a stillbirth herself. The actress tragically lost her son Archie back in 2009, when he was born prematurely at just 21 weeks old.
Simon filming scenes for the stillbirth storyline alongside Kym Marsh
Opening up to OK! magazine about her decision to go ahead with the storyline, Kym said: 'I have had to go to some really dark places when filming the heartbreaking scenes. But my family, friends and colleagues have been incredible.'
Simon, who plays Steve McDonald in the soap, revealed his family's loss while defending his wife against a cruel Twitter troll.
In response to comments his wife received online, Simon tweeted: 'To the £&)(; who tweeted my wife. We've lost 11 baby's 1st being 21 weeks 4 days. Maybe think or do your research before tweeting someone'.
