Simpkin began his career selling lockers and changing room equipment to public and private sector clients.
Simpkin's company obtained planning permission to develop the local St Johns Church in Bollington in to 13 apartments.
It was originally set to be completed in 2018, but continued economic downturn, and the COVID-19 pandemic led to the site falling into disrepair.
Having missed out on a place in boy band Take That, he went into acting, appearing in ITV1's Coronation Street as the character Craig Brennan.
Simpkin had roles in Zig Zag, an educational children's series on BBC2, a live reporter on The Totally Friday Show, the Travel Channel, Carlton Food Network, Manchester United TV and the Granada Regional Newsroom.