Kimberly Hart-Simpson will be stretching her acting muscles in a different way after confirming her Coronation Street exit - and it couldn't be further from the cobbles. The actress joined the ITV soap as Nicky Wheatley back in 2020. But after a brief stint she left only to return back in March.
Viewers saw her character trying to get a new job and secure a good home for her and her daughter, Maisie, while also reconnecting with Daniel Osbourne. However, her life was blown apart when her past as a sex worker was leaked to the whole school by devious student Max Turner.
Losing her job, Nicky was unable to afford to home she had found for her and Maisie and Danile ended up taking her in. But he soon reconciled with girlfriend Daisy Midgeley, despite Nicky confessing her feelings for him, and Nicky felt it was time to move out. She did make a brief return earlier this month in scenes alongside Peter Barlow.
However, she has since opened up about her future on Corrie in an Instagram Q&A, saying her storyline had "now been completed". A follower asked: "Why you leaving Corrie," to which she replied: "Okkkk let’s get this answered because it’s heavy in the inbox. So it’s not a case of leaving Corrie. It’s more that I came back for a storyline which for now has been completed. If you watched Friday’s eps you will see there was no big leaving scene so you never know for the future but what I do know is this…
"I owe so much to Corrie and I absolutely love it there - the people - the vibe - the street. Life happens in chapters - and I am looking forward to the next part." An ITV spokesperson confirmed to The Sun that the actress has finished with the soap, but "that's not to say we might not see her pop up in Weatherfield again in the future".
She has, however, since announced that she will be taking up the starring role in St Helens Theatre Royal's Christmas pantomime Cinderella after leaving the cobbles. And fun fact, prior to joining Corrie Kimberly worked in the costume departments of the Theatre Royal and Epstein Theatre as a seamstress, creating costumes for shows.
The 35, said of her new leading role: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the cast of Cinderella at St Helens Theatre Royal this Christmas. I have such fond and happy memories working in wardrobe behind-the-scenes on costume and set with Regal Entertainments, that it’ll feel like a homecoming. I’m excited to see all those lovely, friendly faces again.”
She added: "It will feel a bit strange being out front on the stage and seeing the audience instead of looking after all those incredible stunning costumes – but now I’m going to be wearing them, so it’s the best of both worlds. Performing is my passion but I also love fashion.
"I’m a huge advocate of vintage clothing and repurposing garments. Playing Cinderella is going to be quite an experience, and I really cannot wait."
She also shared a snap of herself to her Instagram Story in costumes. Dressed in a pink and white corset-style dress with a white flower headband and her blonde tresses styled into curls, Kimberly wrote: "Buzzing to be part of @theatreroyalsthelens Cinderella this Christmas." She then added: "She will wear neon nails to the ball," pointing out her bright talons.
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