Steven James McDonald is a character in Coronation Street who first appeared in Ep 3001 - 6 Dec 1989 with his parents Jim McDonald and Liz McDonald and twin brother Andy McDonald. Former tearaway Steve has had many relationships and some dodgy dealings since he arrived in Coronation Street. In the 1990s, Steve could be a bit of a petty villain, getting involved in dodgy deals but in recent years has become a more comic character, although could be said he has a few screws loose as he likes to pull faces and put on a baby voice around children (even older ones). Steve must also love wedding cake as he is the most married character ever. He is also a bit of a masochistic as he likes to select the most psychotic or bitchy women imaginable such as Karen McDonald and Tracy Barlow.
Steve is played by Simon Gregson.
Biography[]
Backstory[]
Steve James McDonald was born on the 26th June 1974, alongside twin brother Andy McDonald to soldier Jim McDonald and his wife Liz. Jim was 18 when the twins were born and Liz was 16, and they had married in January 1974.
1989-[]
Steve and Andy moved into Number 11 Coronation Street in late 1989 with their parents Jim and Liz. Steve and Andy started to cause trouble, such as accidentally driving a digger into Alf Roberts shop. Steve dated Joanne Khan and they ran off to The Lake District together. Steve liked to do dodgy deals as a way of making money.
Steve got into gambling and often ended up in debt and being chased by loan sharks. Steve was romantically involved with Fiona Middleton.
In 1995 Steve romanced Vicky Arden much to the chagrin of her maternal grandfather Alec Gilroy. Vicky was orphaned at 14 and Alec was protective of his granddaughter. Alec tried to bribe Steve to leaving Vicky but Steve refused and they married. Steve once tried to frame Vicky over some fake whiskey. Steve later was convicted and spent several months in prison in 1996. He was beaten up in prison. In 1997, Steve was released from prison and tried to make amends. However in April 1998 his dad Jim started drinking heavily and they had a row on some scaffolding. Jim fell off into a skip full of rubble. He was rushed to hospital and was confined to a wheelchair for several months. Jim accepted that it was an accident. At the same time, Alec Gilroy blamed Steve for installing a dud radiator in Rita Sullivan's flat which poisoned her with carbon monoxide. Rita wanted the matter to be dropped.
Steve McDonald.
Steve's friend Jez Quigley supplied drugs to Leanne Battersby. Steve gave evidence against Jez in court regarding Jez's involvement in the death of Tony Horrocks. Jez was acquitted and planned revenge on Steve so lured him to a car park where Steve was beaten up by Jez's henchmen. Steve's father Jim found out so went to confront Jez and ended up assaulting him so badly that he needed hospital treatment.
Jez died of his injuries in September 2000. Jim was convicted of his murder and jailed. Steve later dated Karen Phillips and they married in 2001.
Memorable info[]
Appearances: 6 Dec 1989-4 Nov 2015, 22 Apr 2016-
Father Jim McDonald
Mother Liz McDonald
Siblings Andy McDonald, Katie McDonald
Grandfathers Edward McDonald, George Greenwood
Grandmothers Maisie McDonald, Nancy Greenwood
Children Emma Brooker (1999) Amy Barlow (2004), Ruairi McDonald (2017; stillborn), Oliver Tilsley (2017) (With Leanne Tilsley)
Spouses Vicky Arden (1995–97), Karen Phillips (2001–03, 2004–06), Becky Granger (2009–11), Tracy Barlow (2012–13), Michelle Connor (2015–2017)
Trivia[]
- Steve was originally portrayed as a bit of a villain. He was originally involved in some dodgy dealings and was a bit of a womaniser and also involved in gritty plots, such as his run in with Jez Quigley. However throughout the 2000s Steve was developed into more of a comedy figure, which he still remains as in 2020, and he can be a buffoon. Occasionally his villainous side has resurfaced such as when he slept with Leanne after a row with Michelle (although in fairness it is a street tradition to shag most of the neighbours).
- Steve is the most married character in the show, having wedded a total of seven times (twice to Tracy Barlow and twice to Karen McDonald). Before his second marriage to Tracy he shared a six marriage record with Gail Rodwell. This has earned him a place in most wedded man in Weatherfield in the Guinness World Records.
- Steve was absent from August to November 2022 due to Simon Gregson breaking his ankle in real life. The actor's injury will be written into the story.
Appendices[]
List of addresses[]
| Address | Duration |
|---|---|
| 11 Coronation Street | 6th December 1989 to 16th June 1993 |
| The Queens | 16th June 1993 to 9th July 1993 |
| 11 Coronation Street | 9th July 1993 to 4th August 1993 |
| The Queens | 4th August 1993 to 16th August 1993 |
| 11 Coronation Street | 16th August 1993 to 17th November 1993 |
| The Queens | 17th November 1993 to 14th January 1994 |
| 11 Coronation Street | 14th January 1994 to 13th June 1994 |
| 7 Coronation Street | 13th June 1994 to 6th July 1994 |
| 6 Coronation Street | 6th July 1994 to 16th September 1994 |
| No. 6 Montreal House, Weatherfield Quays | 16th September 1994 to 6th March 1995 |
| 12a Rosamund Street | 6th March 1995 to 19th June 1995 |
| 11 Coronation Street | July 1995 to 11th October 1995 |
| No. 6 Montreal House, Weatherfield Quays | 11th October 1995 to 24th May 1996 |
| Strangeways Jail | 24th May 1996 to 1st June 1997 |
| 11 Coronation Street | 1st June 1997 to 3rd December 1997 |
| Unknown flat | 3rd December 1997 to 12th April 1998 |
| 2a Coronation Street | 12th April 1998 to 16th September 1998 |
| 11 Coronation Street | 16th September 1998 to Unknown |
| 11 Coronation Street | 8th March 1999 to 31st March 2000 |
| 15a Victoria Street | 15th May 2000 to 14th September 2001 |
| 12 Coronation Street | 14th September 2001 to 11th April 2003 |
| 15a Victoria Street | 4th May 2003 to 11th July 2003 |
| 12 Coronation Street | 11th July 2003 to 12th November 2006 |
| Rovers Return Inn | 12th November 2006 to 20th January 2012 |
| 13 Coronation Street | 20th January 2012 to 24th February 2012 |
| 15a Victoria Street | 24th February 2012 to 2nd September 2012 |
| 18a Victoria Street | 2nd September 2012 to 13th October 2013 |
| Rovers Return Inn | 13th October 2013 to 21st July 2017 |
| 15a Victoria Street | 21st July 2017 to March 2020 |
| 1 Coronation Street | March 2020 to present |
Employment history[]
| Role | Institution | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Co-owner | Street Cars | April 2000 to present |
| Owner/Leaseholder | Rovers Return Inn | 18th September 2006 to January 2012 |
| Licensee | Rovers Return Inn | 9th October 2013 to July 2017 |