Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati has revealed that a secret fight against depression was one of the main factors in her decision to quit the show.
The 46-year-old - whose character Sunita Alahan will meet a fiery end later this month - told The Sun that she suffered from anxiety attacks, made worse by racist abuse on Twitter and financial woes - and on occasion became so low she would not leave the house for a week.
And she added that there were times when she had even contemplated taking her own life.
"When you're in a dark place, there only appears to be one way out," Shobna said.
“You try not to consider that. I’ve always tried not to reach that low. But when a bout of depression hit me I could lock myself away for a week. I lived like a hermit.”
The actress - who announced in November she was leaving the soap, said that her fame had made her "a recluse" and added: "When I handed in my resignation I knew it was the right thing.
"There are a lot of things about the street that I loved but many that I won't miss. I'm pleased to just be Shobna again."
Since quitting Shobna has signed up to join the panel of ITV1's Loose Women - and said that she also plans to carry on acting.
"I'd like to experience a variety of characters now," she admitted. "Corrie was a comfort blanket for a long time in many ways.
"It was regular work in my home town, but time has gone by so quickly. I always wanted to do other things."
