Kym Marsh taking a break from Coronation Street after 13 years

Kym Marsh has announced she is leaving Coronation Street after 13 years – but will be back.

Kym will be temporarily stepping down from her role as Michelle Connor on the ITV soap after more than a decade.

In a statement, Kym said it was an “incredibly difficult decision” to say goodbye for now but wanted to move on to other roles.

“When I was lucky enough to be offered four episodes I could never in my wildest dreams have thought I’d be here 13 years later,” she explained. “It’s been an incredibly difficult decision but it feels like the right time for me to explore some other roles.”

However, Kym added: “But this isn’t the last you’ve heard of Michelle Connor – she’ll be back! I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for the future.”

Coronation Street’s executive producer John Whiston said the show would be “really sad” to see her go.

“Kym has done a fantastic job,” he praised. “She has brought incredible heart and humanity to some hugely important stories.

“We will be really sad to lose her when she goes but totally understand that, after dedicating herself to the show for so long she now fancies trying something else.”

Kym first rose to fame as a singer in the group Hear’Say which took part in Popstars back in 2001.

She made the switch to acting first with a brief appearance in Doctors before joining Corrie full time in 2006.

Quickly proving a hit with viewers Kym picked up the award for Best Newcomer at the 2007 British Soap Awards and the 2007 National Television Awards. She later won Best Female Dramatic Performance at the 2017 British Soap Awards.

As well as Corrie, Kym has appeared in Popstar to Operastar and Big Star’s Bigger Star and filmed ITV documentary Born Too Soon.

Coronation Street airs on ITV weeknights.