Coronation Street star Simon Gregson is putting his time away from the soap due to good use, by reportedly working at his wife's tearoom.
The soap veteran, 48, is taking a rest from the show after breaking his leg in six places in October, and is believed to be helping out at his wife Emma's Cheshire business.
The dad of three posed outside the tearoom with former co-star Angela Lonsdale, as the actress visited the café for a bite to eat, and took to Instagram yesterday to share a picture of the pair.
It has been reported that Simon has been using his spare time to help at the new business and he's doing the occasional shifts.
A source told The Sun: "Simon's been spotted helping out on a few occasions."
The Mirror has approached Simon's reps for comment.
Simon, who has played Steve McDonald on Corrie since 1989, told the Mirror how his injury had to written into his scenes.
He said: "I've broken my leg. I literally just went over and rolled my ankle, outside the back of the house. It was done in six places.
"I'm able to drive now, but walking across wet fields is a no for me. Because if I slip it's back to square one."
Asked if Corrie had to write his broken leg into the script, he said: "Yeah, they've written it in.
"They just kind of spoke about it. It's like when Bobby Ewing woke up in the shower [in Dallas]. No one cares after about five minutes."
In the same interview earlier this month, Simon said he has quit cigarettes and alcohol.
The actor told how he hasn't smoked for the past four months, and hasn't drunk for even longer, because he wants to set an example to his three sons, Alfie, 15, Harry, 13, and Henry, six.
It comes after Simon was quizzed in the back of a police van in April after a bust-up in a Toby Carvery pub opposite the Grand National racecourse at Aintree, Merseyside.
Simon had been enjoying hospitality with other celebrities at Aintree Ladies Day on Friday April 8th, and was photographed drinking Guinness in one of the famous course’s luxury suites earlier in the day.
Police confirmed at the time they were investigating a reported "altercation" between two men at The Rocking Horse, a Toby Carvery.
A source told the Sunday Mirror at the time: "There was a bust-up and bouncers kicked him out – they pinned him to the ground before the police arrived. He was taken to the police van and spoken to for some time. It was all very messy."
A police spokesman said: "We can confirm Merseyside Police were in attendance at the Rocking Horse pub on Grand National Avenue, Aintree.
"At around 9.20pm we received a report that two men were involved in an altercation inside the pub.
No injuries were reported and the victim declined to make a formal complaint to police. Inquiries are ongoing."
But later that month it was revealed the police investigation had been dropped.
