The Soap Years

There’s much more to flirtatious Nicky than meets the eye, says the actress who plays her, Kimberly Hart-simpson

Remember these plots that had us hooked?

Coronation Street’s newest recruit, Nicky, is about to win the heart of Daniel Osbourne – and by landing a role on the cobbles the actress who plays her has fulfilled her late father’s dream.

Kimberly Hart-simpson first appeared as Nicky, a bubbly and kind sex worker, last week, and she’s set to be a new love interest for Daniel – although their first encounter at a solicitors’ function at a city hotel ended awkwardly. Viewers saw Daniel, who’s still grieving for his late wife Sinead, fail to realise what Nicky did for a living and storm off once it became clear their flirty exchange was not entirely genuine. ‘He was embarrassed – he thought she liked him,’ says Kimberly.

Feeling guilty about his reaction, Daniel will this week head back to the hotel to meet Nicky before opening up about how much he misses Sinead. ‘Daniel sees Nicky as a shoulder to cry on and she’s happy to be that,’ says Kimberly. ‘She listens and tells him he’s not alone.’

Kimberly admits it ‘won’t be the last time’ the pair see each other as they grow closer, and she reveals there’s more to Nicky than meets the eye. ‘It’s going to get more complicated. They will support each other and may end up as mutual shoulders to cry on…’

Kimberly, 33, grew up watching every episode of the ITV soap with her Corrie-mad dad Kevin, whose biggest wish was for his daughter to star in the show. Kevin sadly died 13 years ago from a form of bone cancer, but that just spurred Kimberly on to realise his aspirations.

‘When I was growing up my dad was obsessed with Corrie; his whole day was structured around watching

it and nobody was allowed to phone when it was on,’ she recalls. ‘The reason I’ve been hellbent on getting a job on the show was because before he died, Dad said to me, “Get in Corrie, love.”

‘I’ve auditioned for so many roles I can’t even remember them all. But now they’ve finally managed to find the right role for me and it’s a dream come true!’

After small TV jobs including Sky’s comedy-drama Mount Pleasant and Hollyoaks, Corrie is Kimberly’s

biggest TV role to date. ‘It feels like I’ve been building to this moment all my life, and it hasn’t disappointed so far,’ beams Kimberly, who’s originally from Rhyl, North Wales, and has been living with her mum in Bolton for lockdown.

‘Everyone has been wonderful. I feel lucky to have a job to go back to and I can’t wait to return. It would have meant the world to my dad knowing I’m on Corrie. It’s been a nice celebration for all of us.’ ■