04 May 2023 , 23:01
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Coronation Street star Shelley King has revealed she is being assessed for autism at the age of 67.
Shelley, who plays restaurant owner Yasmeen Nazir, decided to be tested as she was anxious about crowds, going out and was becoming “unreasonable about things”.
She said: “I don’t think 67 is too old, it’s never too late. It’s been a great outpouring and it’s making me less scared of my life and that I’m not doing things right.”
Shelley has been in Corrie since 2014 and her character, matriarch of the soap’s first Muslim family, has featured in major storylines. Yasmeen has been cleared of trying to murder husband Geoff (played by Ian Bartholomew) and found love with Stu (Bill Fellows).
Shelley thinks autism may have drawn her to an acting career.
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Yasmeen and Stu in soap (ITV)She said: “I always wanted to perform... if I sing, it makes me feel better. Most actors are damaged in some way. They go into acting to fill a big hole in themselves or become somebody else.”
Those with autism typically find it hard to understand how other people think or feel, get anxious in unfamiliar situations, have intense interests or hobbies and can display repetitive behaviour.
Speaking to Kaye Adams on her podcast How to be 60 just hours after her initial autism assessment, Shelley said: “This morning has been quite a big deal for me.
Comforting her onscreen husband Geoff (ITV)“I’ve always had a temper, I’m very pedantic and I like to plan things.
“Simple things that people take for granted have not been easy for me.”
She credits her partner of 25 years, director Trilby James, with helping her cope with autism-type symptoms.
With partner Trilby at Pride of Manchester (Getty Images)She said: “I’ve learnt a lot more about myself as she has helped me to become more tolerant and to like myself more.”
Shelley, who made her name in the BBC medical drama Angels, said she had struggled with her sexuality until she was 42 and met Trilby.
She said: “I had boyfriends because I didn’t know how to define myself. I didn’t know how to cope with it.”
But she added: “I’m becoming more like my mum. I don’t want things to overwhelm me in the way she let them overwhelm her , the older she got.”
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