Coronation Street's Alan Halsall declares love for co-star as major milestone marked

Coronation Street star Alan Halsall was left declaring his love for his co-star as he marked a major milestone. The actor took to social media with a jokey tribute to his castmate Simon Gregson.

The soap star, who is famed for playing Weatherfield's Steve McDonald for more than 30 years, was celebrating on Wednesday (October 2) as he turned big 50.

Friend and colleague Alan, who fans will know for playing Tyrone Dobbs in the ITV soap, took to social media to send Simon a heartfelt message - or at least it was after his initial mocking of his pal.

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Sharing a photo to his Instagram Story, Simon could be seen lifting Alan from around the waist. In the caption, Alan wrote: ''How on earth you've made it to 50, I'll never know!!'' He continued: ''But I'm bloody glad you have, I love you mate.''

Simon's former co-star, and Alan's ex-wife, Lucy-Jo Hudson also paid tribute to the birthday boy and said alongside a beaming photo of the pair: "Happy Birthday to my old mate @fat_dracula. When I say 'old mate' I mean I've known him years, but actually he is old as well. Happy 50th Si."

It comes after Simon, who first hit the Corrie cobbles more than 30 years ago as Steve in 1989, aged just 15, revealed he is keeping busy in his time away from filming for the soap and announced he is releasing a children's book. Titled The Dream Dragon, the soap star shared a sneak peek at the book's beautiful illustrations on social media.

The drawings, shared to Instagram, featured a small orange dragon drinking from a stream in a forest while dragons fly through the sky. He wrote in the caption: "With huge thanks to the amazing Aliya Stevens, the illustrations for my new book The Dream Dragon are finished."

Simon then added to his fans and followers: "Now to put it all together and hope people love it as much as we do. Fergus the Tree Hump I’m still writing so wish me luck."

His celebrity friends were quick to share their congratulations, with Corrie co-star Claire Sweeney writing: "Can’t wait to ready it with Jaxon." Sally Carman-Duttine also commented: "Gorgeous!"

Former Corrie co-star Angela Lonsdale, who is married to EastEnders star Perry Fenwick, said: "It will be amazing Si proud of you." Irish TV presenter Lucy Kennedy also shared "Nice one", while Hits Radio host Mike Toolan added: "Love this."