When we found out that Celebs Go Dating star Kimberly Hart-Simpson would be joining the cast of Coronation Street, we were eager to chat with her. Kimberly played sex worker Nicky Wheatley who first appeared on the Cobbles in 2020 following the death of Dan Osbourne’s (Rob Mallard) wife Sinead Tinker (Katie McGlynn).
It was recently confirmed that she will be making a return to the ITV soap opera and she has revealed she’s shown her comeback in two and a half hours. After chatting with the actress, we had to take a look at the vision board she used to do this, and we can exclusively reveal that shot here.
During our conversation, Kimberly explained, “The first thing that went on that board was Coronation Street! I wrote a line about how I would feel if I were to go back there and who I would tell first. Two hours and a half later my agent called me and said that Corrie had turned off the antennas.It made me feel so powerful.
Here, she reveals what else is on her vision board, teases what’s to come between her character and Daisy Midgely (Charlotte Jordan), and opens up about the realities of reality TV.
(Picture: ITV)
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Congratulations on your return Corrie. How’s it feel to be back on the Cobbles?
It’s brilliant. I’m really excited and feel so lucky to be back there.
Did you ever think you’d be back?
I was hoping I would! The script was left with a little question mark above it, so I always wanted to come back.
We heard you manifested the role within hours of putting it on your vision board…
Yeah! I love waking up and seeing my goals in front of me first thing in the morning, so I have a vision board of ten things I want in my life. I woke up one day and felt like my energy was a little low, so I didn’t do anything that day. I just gave myself time to realign my visions of what I wanted.
And Corrie made the cut?
The first thing that went on this board was Coronation Street! I wrote a line about how I would feel if I had to go back and who I would tell first. Two and a half hours later, my agent called me and told me that Corrie had turned off the antennas. It made me feel so powerful.
Is there anything else on this that you would like to share with us?
I wanted to put my clothing line into retail, which I’ve managed to do now. I also have I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! there because I would like to go to the jungle.
What do your relatives think?
I have a group of mates who all buy into that kind of stuff, which is good because I don’t feel so angry! [Laughs]
(Picture: ITV)
What’s it like to be back on set with your former co-stars?
Honestly, I feel like I never left. I just picked up where I left off with everyone else.
Looks like Nicky is about to cause some serious drama with Daisy and Daniel. What can you tell us?
Nicky returned as a different woman. She has completed her training as a childminder, she has her goals in sight and the future looks very positive for her, which rocks Daisy’s ego. I think she feels threatened by it. Whether or not she needs it remains to be confirmed.
Can we expect a Corrie catfight?
I couldn’t tell you. [Laughs] What I can tell you is that one of my favorite scenes I’ve ever done was when I had to throw a shoe at someone, so I’m totally in for a catfight!
(Picture: ITV)
How did you work with Charlotte Jordan?
She is absolutely awesome. She was super warm when we first met and within five minutes I felt completely myself around her.
You are close to your mom. Is she proud of you for coming back to the soap?
Ah, it’s buzzing for me to go back. She told literally everyone about it. She would stop a cat in the street and let him know if she could.
The likes of Ellie Warner, Nikita Jasmine and Katie McGlynn are all really supporting you on social media. Have you had someone like that to congratulate you?
Many of them have said how happy they are for me because they know what it means. We have all been through such difficult times that when someone receives good news, we all celebrate it together. It is a glimpse of the change that is hopefully on the horizon for all of us.
(Image: Getty)
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You starred in Celebs Go Dating. What is the difference between working on reality TV and working in a soap?
It’s more terrifying when people tweet or comment on something you’ve done on reality TV because it’s so much more personal than not liking a character. In reality TV, you put yourself in the line of sight a bit more, so having thick skin is key. If you have to say something, say it with your chest. Be bold with who you are.
You came out as bisexual, which affected the LGBTQ+ community. How did that make you feel?
I never wanted to be a dock or anything like that. I was just like, “This is who I am,” and I wasn’t sorry about it. When you go on a trip, you need to think about what it means to you before you realize what it might mean to others. Then you begin to understand that there is power in being yourself.
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Coronation Street is this week Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m.
