Irreducible characters of finite simple groups constant at the p-singular elements

In representation theory of finite groups an important role is played by irreducible characters of p-defect 0, for a prime p dividing the group order. These are exactly those vanishing at the p-singular elements. In this paper we generalize this notion investigating the irreducible characters that are constant at the p-singular elements. We determine all such characters of non-zero defect for alternating, symmetric and sporadic simple groups. We also classify the irreducible characters of quasi-simple groups of Lie type that are constant on the non-identity unipotent elements. In particular, we show that for groups of BN-pair rank greater than 2 the Steinberg and the trivial characters are the only characters in question. Additionally, we determine all irreducible characters whose degrees differ by 1 from the degree of the Steinberg character.