Coronation Street star Kimberly Hart-Simpson has shared news of a heartbreaking family loss just days before her return to the soap hits screens.
The actress, 37, who is set to reprise her role as former sex worker Nicky Wheatley, revealed that her beloved aunt Patricia has died.
Kimberly took to Instagram on Monday to reveal that she and her loved ones had said a final farewell to her aunt at an emotional funeral service, after she passed away from an ‘ongoing battle’ with cancer last month.
Sharing a snap with her aunt, she captioned her post: ‘Today we said a goodbye to my auntie. Whilst she went on to say hello again to others.’
She previously paid an emotional tribute to Patricia last month after her tragic passing, writing on Instagram: ‘In the very early hours of Wednesday we lost Auntie Pat after her ongoing battle with cancer.
Coronation Street star Kimberly Hart-Simpson has shared news of a heartbreaking family loss just days before her return to the soap hits screens
The actress who is set to reprise her role as former sex worker Nicky Wheatley, revealed that her beloved aunt Patricia has died
‘It has been incredibly sad to say goodbye to a key member of our family. Despite knowing the end was near she allowed us all to find humour in moments of pain, offered conversations so nothing was left unsaid and even threw in a couple of show tunes along the way.
‘She joins my Dad (her brother who she was beside for his birth and final breaths), her husband Uncle David and her beloved dog and there is such comfort in that.
‘My cousin Paula who will be reading this…. You always look after others, it’s time we now look after you. The glue of the family, I love and admire you.
‘Cancer has had a hold over my family the past year with multiple members and for those who are experiencing the same grief, pain and fight – you are not alone.
‘Here’s to auntie pat – loved nowt more than a wind up and no doubt is already thinking up her first haunting prank!’
Kimberly recently returned to the Corrie set to reprise her role as Nicky after four years away from the cobbles, with her scenes set to air in the coming weeks.
Her return comes as Daniel seeks help from his old friend in a bid to find missing teenager Lauren Bolton.
The pair struck up a bond after Daniel lost his wife Sinead to cancer back in 2019 and he sought out Nicky, who was working as an escort at the time, for emotional support.
Kimberly took to Instagram on Monday to reveal that she and her loved ones had said a final farewell to her aunt at an emotional funeral service
She previously paid an emotional tribute to Patricia last month after her tragic passing following an ‘ongoing battle’ with cancer
Kimberly recently returned to the Corrie set to reprise her role as Nicky after four years away from the cobbles, with her scenes set to air in the coming weeks
While Roy (David Neilson) may be DS Swain’s number one suspect for the murder of missing Lauren (Cait Fitton), Daniel (Rob Mallard) knows he’s also still under suspicion.
Desperate to clear his name he enlists the help of Nicky, who is now an outreach worker in the community and Daniel believes she may be able to help find information about Lauren’s disappearance from the girls she supports on the streets.
The connection is still there between the pair and Nicky is keen to try and help Daniel.
However, the girls she works with are scared and vulnerable following news of Lauren’s murder.
Speaking about reprising her role on the ITV soap, Kimberly said: ‘It’s been 4 years since we first met Nicky and it is once again a pleasure to be back on the cobbles.
‘Stories surrounding women within the sex industry have often been forgotten, shamed or unspoken. But not at Coronation Street, they respectfully explore the world these women live in, the impact it has on the community and at some points dangers attached to the work.
‘The story of Lauren Bolton has allowed the safety of other characters to come forward such as Cassie but unfortunately led to the devastating effects of conspiracy theories by other folk.
‘Nicky has fought against all stereotypes and I am looking forward to the audience finding out who and where she is today.’
Kimberly previously revealed she receives praise from Coronation Street fans for her realistic portrayal of sex worker Nicky on the soap opera.
She told The Sun in 2022: ‘I am thrilled that charities and sex workers have contacted me to say they like the way Nicky is portrayed because she is so realistic and the writers haven’t given her a drug or drink problem.’
‘She is just a feisty mum, doing it for her daughter — for survival, I am so proud to play her.
‘I know plenty of people who work in the sex industry and on things like OnlyFans — it isn’t an unknown world to me and they are just normal people trying to get by.’
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