The Coronation Street star’s partner Emma Gleave said she was “heartbroken” after her beloved grandma passed away from COVID-19 on Thursday night.
Emma tweeted: “881 people lost their lives today, one of those beautiful souls was my grandma!! Heartbroken… #stayathome Fly High Grandma… We love you.”
The tragedy comes just hours after Simon himself revealed he has contracted the deadly bug.
The 45-year-old – who plays Steve MacDonald on Coronation Street – tweeted yesterday that he was struggling with gastric problems.
He posted: “1st day out of bed today starting to feel a little better after contracting the virus,my main symptom was gastric and still is bloody awful but lucky to not have respiratory. Stay safe everyone x.”
The actor explained that he wasn’t tested for the virus, but diagnosed with it through his symptoms.
On Friday morning, Simon told fans he was feeling better.
He wrote: “Thanks twiiterford for all the kind messages feel tonnes better today xx heart goes out to all the people who have suffered so much more. Stay safe.”
ITV made the decision to suspend filming of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale amid the coronavirus pandemic last month.
Soap stars were told not to come in for work to stop the spread of the virus.
Bosses have scaled back the number of episodes aired each week as they adapt to the impact of COVID-19.
Both Emmerdale and Corrie bosses have furloughed more than 500 staff because of the reduced workload.
Earlier this week HOAR Online revealed the actors will be paid full salary for three months despite episodes being axed during coronavirus lockdown.
Cast are paid an annual salary – with bonuses for each episode they appear in.
Simon – who’s been on the soap since 1989 – is thought to earn around £150,000 after signing a new contract in 2016.
