Coronation Street star Kimberly Hart-Simpson reveals devastating family tragedy just days before her return to the soap

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 will reprise her role as former sex worker Nicky Wheatley, revealed her beloved aunt Patricia has passed away.

Kimberly announced on Instagram on Monday that she and her loved ones said their final goodbyes to her aunt during an emotional funeral service after she passed away last month from an “ongoing battle” with cancer.

She shared a photo with her aunt and captioned her post, “Today we said goodbye to my aunt. While she said hello to others.’

She previously paid an emotional tribute to Patricia last month following her tragic death, writing on Instagram: ‘In the early hours of Wednesday we lost Aunt Pat after her ongoing battle with cancer.

The actress, who will reprise her role as former sex worker Nicky Wheatley, revealed that her beloved aunt Patricia has passed away

‘It was incredibly sad to say goodbye to an important member of our family. Despite knowing the end was near, she allowed us all to find humor in moments of pain, offered conversations so nothing was left unsaid, and even threw in a few show tunes along the way.

“She joins my father (her brother who she was next to during his birth and last breath), her husband, Uncle David and her beloved dog, and there is so much comfort in that.

‘My cousin Paula, who is going to read this…. You always take care of others, it’s time we take care of you now. The glue of the family, I love and admire you.

“Cancer has gripped my multi-member family over the past year, and for those experiencing the same grief, pain and struggle, you are not alone.

“Here’s to Aunt Pat – he didn’t like a whim anymore and is no doubt already thinking up her first terrifying prank!”

Kimberly recently returned to the Corrie set to reprise her role as Nicky after four years away from the cobbles, and her scenes will air in the coming weeks.

Her return comes as Daniel seeks help from his old friend in an attempt to find missing teenager Lauren Bolton.

The pair bonded after Daniel lost his wife Sinead to cancer in 2019 and he turned to Nicky, who was working as an escort at the time, for emotional support.

Kimberly announced on Instagram on Monday that she and her loved ones said their final goodbyes to her aunt during an emotional funeral service

She previously paid an emotional tribute to Patricia last month following her tragic death 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, and her scenes will air in the coming weeks.

While Roy (David Neilson) may be Detective Swain’s prime suspect for the murder of missing Lauren (Cait Fitton), Daniel (Rob Mallard) also knows he is still under suspicion.

Desperate to clear his name, he calls on Nicky for help is now a community worker and Daniel thinks she might be able to help find information about Lauren’s disappearance from the girls she supports on the streets.

The connection between the pair is still there and Nicky is keen to help Daniel.

However, the girls she works with are scared and vulnerable after the news of Lauren’s murder.

Speaking of reprising her role in the ITV soap, Kimberly said: ‘It’s been four years since we first met Nicky and it’s a pleasure to be back on the cobbles again.

‘Stories about women within the sex industry are often forgotten, shamed or left unsaid. But not in Coronation Street, they respectfully explore the world these women live in, the impact this has on the community and at some points the dangers associated with the job.

“Lauren Bolton’s story has brought out the safety of other characters, like Cassie, but unfortunately led to the devastating consequences of other people’s conspiracy theories.

“Nicky has fought against all stereotypes and I look forward to audiences discovering who and where she is today.”

Kimberly previously revealed she has been receiving praise from Coronation Street fans for her realistic portrayal of sex worker Nicky in the soap opera.

She said The sun in 2022: ‘I’m really pleased 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 drinking problem.’

‘She’s just a feisty mother who does it for her daughter – to survive, I’m so proud to play her.

“I know a lot of people who work in the sex industry and work on things like OnlyFans. It’s not an unknown world to me and they’re just normal people trying to get by.’