Former Coronation Street star Kimberly Hart-Simpson, best known to soap fans as sex worker Nicky Wheatley, shared her ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) diagnosis on her Instagram yesterday.

Nicky wrote that she was diagnosed eight months ago, but decided to keep quiet, initially wanting to ‘untangle 38 years worth of WTF’ and because the internet can be ‘very, very harsh’.

She further explained: ‘I come from a generation where this wasn’t really an open conversation or a comfortable label.

‘So when i found out I did the classic reaction of run a marathon / go to Thailand on your own / start a million new side projects. I would say running was the most exposing time for me – but also gave me the space to really understand myself.’

Contemplating her future following her diagnosis, Kimberly said: ‘I am actually happy I have received the diagnosis I did, it’s helpful for me. I am not sure what I will do with the knowledge just yet… I mean I haven’t just developed it, I have clearly had it all my life, but I have only just admitted it, so its going to be a process.’

Kimberly’s post was flooded with comments of support.

Former Corrie co-stars Bhavna Limbachia, who played Rana Habeeb, left a string of heart emoji’s, while Jack James Ryan, known to fans as Jacob Hay, followed suit with some heart emoji’s of his own.

One fan commented: ‘I got diagnosed at 38 years too. It was a “who am I” moment too”.

Another added: ‘I found out in school that I have ADD and Asperger’s, although it doesn’t define my life it did help me find out why I acted certain ways that were deemed strange to others. Definitely a good thing to be diagnosed with it. I think you will have a much easier time now that you have found out.”

‘Mate, it took me about 6 months or so for my diagnosis to settle in with me too. That was 6 years ago, almost, and l”m so glad 1 got my diagnosis and find it helpful just knowing. Loads of love xx’ said another fan.

Kimberly’s Corrie character Nicky was initially introduced as an escort, employed by Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) as he struggled to process his the loss of his wife Sinead Tinker’s (Katie McGlynn) following her battle with cervical cancer.

Daniel began paying Nicky to dress in his late wife’s clothes as he wrestled with his grief, leading to a complex relationship between the two.

Nicky later left Weatherfield to start a new life with her daughter, with Daniel’s support, though returned to help Daniel once again regarding the Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) missing persons case.

Prior to her stint on the cobbles, Kimberly had appeared in Hollyoaks as both Davina, a firefighter, and Beverly, a landlord.

Following Nicky’s departure from the Street, Kimberly appeared on E4’s Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion and had a role on Brassic as Andrea.

She also launched her own clothing company, Hart-Work, and designed a rainbow themed dress for Hollyoaks star Jessica Ellis, known better to soap fans as Tegan Lomax, for the British Soap Awards.

She later came out as pansexual and announced her pride in creating the piece to represent the LGBTQ+ community.