Just days after it was revealed she’s returning to Coronation Street, Kimberly Hart-Simpson has suffered a tragic family loss. The 37-year-old announced she’d said a final goodbye to her beloved auntie Patricia Walker as she was laid to rest at her funeral service.
The actress took to Instagram to share glimpses of the day with her 139,000 followers, as she posted a picture of the order of service. She penned on her stories: “Today we said goodbye to my Auntie. Whilst she went on to say hello again to others.”
Kimberly revealed her aunt Patricia’s death last month, as she posted a series of pictures of her precious family member. The ITV star said: “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.
“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.”
The soap star continued: “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,” she concluded.
Kimberly’s grief comes after she revealed she was back filming for Coronation Street as her character Nicky Wheatley.
She first portrayed the character in 2020 and has made a few appearances back on the ITV soap ever since then.
Sharing behind-the-scenes pictures from the sets, Kimberly told her Instagram followers: “Getting back into the swing of things @coronationstreet.
“Exactly four years since I first began playing ‘Nicky Wheatley’ and I have been making visits ever since! I absolutely adore the people on the show and working with @rob.mallard.
“It’s good to be back. P.s of course I visited the charity shop set.”