TV favourite Kym Marsh quits major role after five series to ‘enjoy freedom’ after split

Waterloo Road star Kym Marsh has quit the BBC drama after five series, and she’s already filmed her final scenes.

The actress has starred as canteen worker Nicky Walters since the school-based drama was rebooted in 2023, but is set to hang up her apron at the end of the current series.

During her time on the show, the character has been at the centre of some huge storylines, including poverty, son Preston’s eating disorder, daughter Tonya’s (Summer Bird) endometriosis and her relationship with Donte Charles (Adam Thomas).

Waterloo Road marked Kym’s first screen acting role since leaving Coronation Street in 2019.

The actress starred as Michelle Connor from 2006 to 2019, and was involved in some major plots, including a stalking ordeal, several love triangles and the devastating loss of son Ruairi.

After departing the cobbles, she tread the boards in several productions, including Elf the Musical, Fatal Attraction and Greatest Days the Musical.

She also turned her hand to presenting, and still appears on BBC’s Morning Live.

Now, she plans to try ‘new things’ ahead of her 50th birthday, a source told The Sun.

‘Kym is in a new chapter of her life. She’s heading towards 50 and wants to try as many new things as she can.’

Her exit comes after a reported breakup from boyfriend Samuel Thomas, who she met on tour with 101 Dalmatians the Musical.

‘One of the reasons she dumped Samuel was because she just wanted to have some fun and see where her work takes her.

‘She’s already got a busy work and family life and is very much enjoying her freedom and being able to take on exciting new projects wherever they may take her.’

Fans are already hoping the actress may return to the cobbles, with one taking to Twitter/X to say: ‘she can return to corrie as michelle now.’

‘Manifesting michelle connor back in corrie,’ another wrote.

Kym hasn’t ruled out a return to the ITV soap, previously telling the publication that she is open to going back.

‘I’d never say never to going back as I absolutely adore Coronation Street and I had some of my best years there,’ she said.

‘I learned so much on that show and I made so many friends.

‘But I left to kind of pursue other projects and I’m still in the middle of doing that, but, maybe one day!’