Former Coronation Street star Kimberly Hart-Simpson shared on social media that her beloved Auntie Pat has died.
The actress, who played Nicky Wheatley on the ITV soap, told her Instagram followers that her Aunt died following an ongoing cancer battle.
Sharing a series of snaps of her alongside her late Aunt, she penned: ‘In the very early hours of Wednesday we lost Auntie Pat after her ongoing battle with cancer.
‘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.’
She added: ‘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 🤍.’
The soap star concluded: ‘Here’s to auntie pat – loved nowt more than a wind up and no doubt is already thinking up her first haunting prank!
Kimberly’s post was met with support from fans and fellow celebrities with TV personality Christine McGuinness writing: ‘Sending lots of love.’
Actor Andy Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland on Corrie, replied: ‘Sending love to you all ❤️.’
Kimberly’s former soap character Nicky, as viewers will recall, was introduced as a sex worker who Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) befriended in the wake of Sinead Tinker’s (Katie McGlynn) death.
The character became a recurring one and, after her initial stint came to an end, she was reintroduced as a teaching assistant at the school, which frustrated Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan), who was dating Daniel at the time.
After her final appearance to date aired in July 2022, Kimberly clarified to fans that it wasn’t a case of her having left Corrie, but rather that her then-current storyline had come to an end.
‘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,’ she said.
