It’s been reported today that filming for Coronation Street’s Christmas episodes has been thrown into “chaos” as stars Simon Gregson and Craig Charles have both gone off sick.

Simon and Craig of course plays Steve McDonald and Lloyd Mullaney, and both have storylines that form part of the festive episodes.

Bosses had also feared that Michael Le Vell – who plays Kevin Webster – wouldn’t be back at work in time to film his scenes for the yuletide episodes, but he has now confirmed that he’s returning to work next week.

The Daily Mirror says that the show’s bosses have decided to delay filming the scenes that feature Simon and Craig.

The paper adds, “Charles, 47, who plays Lloyd Mullaney, was in all the major scenes due to be shot yesterday. But he had his wife call him in sick at 7.30am – while Gregson, 37, who plays Steve McDonald, was sent home by the company doctor just a few hours later.”

A show insider said, “We’ve had to stand the crew down. Craig not turning up threw a right spanner in the works.

“We’re filming scenes for Christmas so this caused a huge headache.

“We’ve got crew just standing around not doing anything. Now all these scenes will have to be rescheduled. It’s utter chaos.”

A Coronation Street spokeswoman said Charles’s wife told producers he had felt unwell all weekend and had spent Sunday in bed.

She added, “We’ve had to do a bit of juggling.”