I’m A Celebrity star Beverley Callard’s on-screen son Simon Gregson is not convinced she’s a vegan

She’s sparked questions from fans about her sudden change to a vegan diet.

And now even I’m A Celebrity star Beverley Callard‘s on-screen son Simon Gregson has admitted he’s not convinced by her sudden change to a healthy lifestyle. 

The Coronation Street star, 46, who has played Liz McDonald’s son Steve for 31 years, joked he ‘must be a mango’ if Beverley has really decided to become a vegan, hinting she could be trying to swerve some of the show’s more disgusting dishes.

Speaking on Friday’s Loose Women, Simon told the panel that it’s likely Beverley decided to go vegan given her daughter follows the same diet.

However, after viewers accused Beverley of ‘cheating’ her way through an I’m A Celebrity trial by being exempt from eating animal parts, the actor admitted he’s not wholly convinced.

He said: ‘Rebecca her daughter is vegan and I’m sure Bev has done it for all the right reasons, health and to save the planet, if you believe that I’m a mango! I’m pretty sure it’s because she doesn’t have to put a willy in her mouth.

‘She’s doing brilliantly and the great thing about Bev is that she’s a brilliant storyteller, she’s a massive team player, and even though in the deepest parts of her soul ”there’s no way I wanna do that!” but she will! She’ll go the distance.’

Simon, who has worked with Beverley on and off for more than three decades, added he’s even been surprised to see her get stuck into the day-to-day running of the camp, including the nasty job of emptying the toilet.

He added: ‘I had an inkling I’d heard rumours I didn’t know whether she would. I’m very surprised about the fact she helped clean out the toilet. 

‘If anybody trumps within a mile radius of Bev you get a clip round the ear, yeah so I’m shocked about that! She hates toilets, I don’t think she’s ever had a poo in her life.’ 

Offering his thoughts on the series he added: ‘I think it’s a really good group of people. 

‘I was watching it the other night and someone said ”well they’ve not go really hungry yet” maybe there might be a little bit of tension, but they’ve got to be wary. She don’t wear that leopard skin for nothing.

‘I think she’s got a very good chance of winning. I think the whole nation will warm to her she has a very good chance.’

Simon said he and on-screen mum Beverley have remained close friends throughout their time working on the soap, and began socialising off-set just a week after their debut on the Corrie cobbles.

He said: ‘Me and Bev started socialising a week after I joined, I’d always be at her house, we’d go out for lunch all the time.’

Beverley has joined 11 other stars on this year’s I’m A Celebrity, which was relocated from Australia to Gwrych Castle in Wales.

While some parts of the show have changed, the stars still face gruelling conditions and an array of challenges to win food.

Earlier this week Beverley took part in the first ‘eating trial’ of the series, Frights of the Round Table, with Vernon Kay and Jordan North, but was served with plates of fermented dishes and a nasty ‘vomit fruit’ due to her vegan diet.

Many viewers have since noted that despite her exemptions in the trial, she was still able to tuck into bread and butter won during the Castle Coin challenge, as well as the meat and fish dinners delivered to the camp every evening.

Loose Women airs weekdays from 12:30pm on ITV. I’m A Celebrity continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.