He plays one of Coronation Street’s most popular characters, so fans were understandably disappointed that Simon Gregson was missing from the much-anticipated live episode.
The actor’s absence was particularly noticed as his character Steve McDonald’s best friend Lloyd Mullaney (Craig Charles) bowed out of the show in the closing scenes.
Steve and Lloyd had been getting drunk together and repairing their friendship on Monday night’s show.
But the pub landlord was nowhere to be seen on Wednesday night and his mum Liz (Beverly Callard) was heard explaining to Lloyd that he was too hammered to join in the celebrations.