Kym Marsh, 42, has played Michelle Connor in Coronation Street for 13 years and has recently announced she has quit the programme. The actress who reportedly earns a six-figure salary on the soap will be set to make a million from lucrative advertising work, high-paid acting gigs such as pantomime since becoming a free agent, according to The Sun. A source told the publication: “Kym will really be able to test her earning power now and the roles and ad work will come pouring in. “She will be able to bank a million by the end of the year, easily.”
Coronation Street stars are not allowed to plug or promote products while contracted to the ITV show, according to the publication.
Express.co.uk has contacted Kym’s representatives for comment.
It comes after the TV favourite announced quitting the show was an “incredibly difficult” decision.
Having been originally cast for a cameo role, she went onto have several hard-hitting storylines over the years.
Announcing her resignation, the soap star said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult decision but it feels like the right time.”
She went on to tell The Sun: “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.”
The small screen regular recently took to Twitter to thank Coronation street viewers for their well-wishes and positive messages since the announcement.
In view of her 789,000 Twitter followers, she wrote: “Overwhelmed with all your lovely messages today.
“I have read and truly appreciate every single one of them.”
Fans bombarded the actress with compliments, as one person wrote: “I’m GUTTED you are leaving. You and Carla are my fave characters by a mile- but I’m really excited to see you do other stuff aswell! The future’s bright! Exciting times! But you’ll be missed sorely by the viewers.xx”(sic)
Another person commented: “Truly will miss you. Please don’t stay away too long.”
While a third person replied: “Wishing you all the luck in the world lovely Kym, it’s a pleasure watching you on Corrie as Michelle but it’s also exciting to see what your future holds too.”
Meanwhile, the soap star will certainly be busy with her personal life as her daughter Emilie, 21, is pregnant with a baby boy.
Taking to Instagram recently, Kym shared a 4D scan of her grandson where she said she “can’t wait for cuddles”.
She captioned the sweet post: “So today my @emilieecunliffe.x had her 4d scan @takeapeeksthelens and I got to see my precious grandson’s face. Oh my beautiful boy, how excited I am to meet you. You are truly truly loved. Can’t wait for cuddles”.
Coronation Street continues tonight on ITV at 7.30pm.