Coronation Street's Shelley King has been 'hell to live with' over abuse storyline
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Coronation Street actor Shelley King has admitted that her emotionally draining storyline about abuse has made her "hell to live with".
King plays Yasmeen Nazir, who suffered at the hands of abusive husband Geoff (Ian Bartholomew) for years before his death in December.
Speaking about the storyline on Lorraine, King said it had taken its toll on her personal life – although luckily wife Trilby James was understanding.
The 65-year-old actor said: "I've been hell to live with – I mean, poor Trilby! Thank goodness she's a wonderful director and actor and understands the process that we all have to go through.
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"And thank god for Ian, whom I love and I think is one of my dearest friends because we trusted each other and we helped each other so much and we talked about it and we talked through our problems, because we have to visit a lot of dark places just to recreate that mood."
Viewers may have seen Geoff as a monster, but King explained that Bartholomew could not have been a better colleague and friend.
She said: "You cannot open yourself out in that way unless you trust the person you're working with.
"I miss him dreadfully. I mean, Yasmeen is still being haunted by him. I just wish I could see him more and the family – his kids and his family.
"But we can't do anything – but soon we'll be down that motorway having a picnic, I hope, very soon!"
King added that she hoped Corrie fans would see Yasmeen get back to her outgoing self now that she has escaped Geoff's clutches and is rebuilding her life.
Watch: Coronation Street actor Johnny Briggs dies aged 85