Simon Gregson has played Steve McDonald for 16 years

Mr Gregson was stopped in the early hours of Sunday by traffic police while he was driving his Jaguar through Prestbury, Cheshire.

The 31-year-old, who lives in Wilmslow, was charged with drink-driving after he was stopped on Chelford Road.

Coronation Street bosses said his job was not in jeopardy, saying the charge was "a personal matter".

'Police matter'

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman confirmed a 31-year-old man from Wilmslow had been stopped on suspicion of drink-driving on Sunday morning.

She added: "He was taken to Wilmslow police station and subsequently charged with drink-driving and bailed to appear at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court on 25 May."

Police said he was stopped at around 0015 BST, but they had no further details of the circumstances.

A Coronation Street spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Gregson, who has worked on the programme since 1989, had informed show bosses of his arrest on Sunday morning.

She added: "It is a police matter. It is a personal matter for (Simon) to deal with.