Kym Marsh QUITS Coronation Street after 13 years to pursue other acting work... as she admits it was an 'incredibly difficult decision' By Sean O'grady For Mailonline Published: 23:34 GMT, 24 February 2019 | Updated: 23:34 GMT, 24 February 2019 Viewcomments Kym Marsh is leaving Coronation Street after thirteen years playing Michelle O'Connor. The actress, 42, revealed it was an 'incredibly difficult decision' to bow out of the soap but feels as though it's the right time for her to seek out other roles. She told 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. Bowing out: Kym Marsh, 42, is leaving Coronation Street after thirteen years playing Michelle O'Connor (pictured in 2018) 'It’s been an incredibly difficult decision but it feels like the right time for me to explore some other roles. Coronation Street's executive producer John Whiston said he was 'really sad' to see Kym go after more than a decade with the show. He said: 'Kym has done a fantastic job. 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 found fame in the pop group Hear'Say which she joined after taking part in the TV series Popstars in 2001. Tough call: Kym revealed it was an 'incredibly difficult decision' to bow out of the soap but feels as though it's the right time for her to seek out other roles (pictured in 2018) She made her on screen acting debut four years later in an episode of Doctors before joining Coronation Street in 2006. During her time on the show, Kym has been involved in some heavy plots, including suffering a stillbirth, being drugged and kidnapped by her ex-partner Will, and being involved in a car crash with her teenage son Ali. Speaking previously to The Sunday People about playing Michelle, Kym said: 'The good thing about playing a character like her, she's got so many sides. 'She can be a bitch, she can be sensitive and she can be feisty too. She's just so well-rounded.' She said: 'It’s been an incredibly difficult decision but it feels like the right time for me to explore some other roles' (pictured in 2018) Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility