The last time viewers saw Nicky Wheatley, the sex worker was helping the grieving Daniel come to terms with the loss of his wife Sinead. Having met Nicky by chance at the Weatherfield hotel, Daniel would pay Nicky to wear Sinead’s old clothes to comfort him. Realising they shared common ground, a relationship (of sorts) began. But as Nicky’s feelings for Daniel developed, she became increasingly uncomfortable with living in Sinead’s shadow and Daniel realised he wasn’t ready for a romance so soon after Sinead’s death. After Nicky found herself in hospital, having been beaten up by a punter, Daniel stole Geoff’s money from the solicitors to give to Nicky so she could start a new life in Lytham, and Nicky left Weatherfield for pastures new.
In the meantime, Daniel has become a teacher who is embroiled in all kinds of school life at Weatherfield High. Not settled with such dramatics (he is a Barlow even if not in name) he has now rekindled his on/off relationship with social media harlot come barmaid, devious Daisy Midgeley. As Nicky Wheatley returns to Weatherfield, Daisy is immediately threatened and goes on the attack. The threat deepens even further when it's revealed that Nicky is applying to be a teaching assistant at Weatherfield High! Does Daisy have reason to feel threatened by Nicky? Does Nicky still have designs on Daniel, and will Daisy enact a plan to keep her man? Corrie recently teased a few press shots which would suggest so...
Back in February, I was lucky enough to join a Zoom Coronation Street press day, for a chat with actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson, and to learn all about her return to the cobbles!
Hi Kimberly, Welcome back to Coronation Street
What changes in life have brought Nicky back to the cobbles?
‘Since being away she has learnt a trade, and taken a new direction. It's not necessarily the direction she would have taken, but she’s enjoying it all the same. She’s become a teaching assistant, which is more interactive and is now enjoying this new direction in her life’
Why has she decided to come back to Weatherfield?
‘Her Mum is unwell and she’s taking a hands-on approach in caring for her, and she lives near Weatherfield. She’s decided to pop onto Coronation Street, whilst she’s in the area, to say Hi to Daniel - it makes sense'
Will we see a different side to Nicky this time around?
‘I think you will see a different side to her, however, I would never say that she hid anything away, anyway. What you see is what you get with Nicky, there's not been a personality transplant, and she is who she is. She does have a fire in her belly now, seeing this teaching job as a way of improving herself. She does still have self-doubt, and about her previous life, I guess, but she’s standing strong and there is no stopping her now that she has a plan’
Previously, Nicky harboured some romantic feelings for Daniel. How does she feel about him now?
‘I think a lot of gratitude for Daniel. It's become more about the two finding themselves and using each other as springboards to get to that, rather than love or lust, and they both had different priorities and more urgent things to deal with at the time. They are both now in a better place personally, but what that looks like to both of them, I don't know'
Upon returning to Weatherfield, she’s asking around for Daniel and bumps into Daisy who tells them he’s moved out of the flat. What are Nicky’s first impressions of Daisy?
‘She thinks Daisy is glamorous, she’s not seen many people like her on the street, or anyone around her age. She’s not someone she’s ever interacted with but she does seem nice and pleasant. initially, she’s gutted that she won't see Daniel and is knocked by it, but she’s happy for him and only wants the best for him’
Later on, Nicky finds Daniel and realises Daisy has told her a lie. Daniel scorns Daisy for the deception and Nicky realises that Daisy has a problem with her. How does she feel about that?
‘It all suddenly makes sense to her, with the interjection from Daisy, and the lie it was based on. Nicky is very intuitive and knows every kind of person, so she realises what Daisy is doing. Nicky is a bit more mature than Daisy and has a daughter (Maisie) and has more responsibility in her life, so I think she knows how to put Daisy down and back in her place’
Do you think Daisy has met her match with Nicky?
‘Ooh yes! it will be spicy. I think this is when Corrie can be at its absolute fiery best. They are both strong women who share quite similar traits, with similar interests, but I think Nicky has more life experience and will look down at Daisy’
Do you think they could ever be friends, or would you like them to be permanent enemies?
‘I’d like to see them lock horns for a bit but, do you know what, I could see them as a powerful duo if they paired up and got a dynamic together’
What did you think about this returning storyline for Nicky, when you found out you’d be coming back to Coronation Street?
‘I said, of all things you think of, when storyboarding yourself for a return, a teaching assistant was the last thing I would have thought. But when you think about it, and especially with all of the phenomenal younger cast and stories around on the show - it does make sense'
Can you see Nicky integrating with any other families or characters on Coronation Street?
'Most definitely and I think that's natural for any character. If there is a link, who knows. I feel there are more characters on this show that Nicky could relate to and get on with?'
We shall see...
Thank you, Kimberly! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Nicky back on the street! Can you imagine the fierceness of her and Daisy battling it out? An excellent choice of returnee!
I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur
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3 comments:
Surely a teaching assistant has to undergo all sorts of background checks, CRB clearance, etc, and with her previous employment they'd never let her near a school?
It does seem a bizarre choice of change in career!
Why could Nicki have done this in the first place? I thought she only went into escort work, as she couldn't do anything else.
To be honest, I don't know why they've brought her back, unless it's to come between Daisy and Daniel.
Not to mention training / qualifications. But this is a soap!
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