WHY DID you have to die, Paula?

Paula Lane, you sense, is biting her lip quite hard. Not to the point it bleeds, but just enough to stop her saying the words forming in the front of her brain.

The former Coronation Street star, she played the gobby, grabbing, hard-as-nails nail technician Kylie Platt, is reflecting on her exit from Britain’s most successful soap.

After six years, the West Yorkshire-born actor decided it was time to leave the soap, to avoid being typecast, to spend time with her two young children.

But she didn’t have to be killed off, did she? After all, female stars of the past – Sara Lancashire, Katherine Kelly, Suranne Jones – had been allowed an open door?

“Well, it was my decision to leave, but it wasn’t my decision to order her demise. That was down to producer Stuart Blackburn.” What a B’Stard, Paula. He didn’t have to do that!“Those are your words, not mine,” she says, laughing.

Her voice becomes more serious; “I can’t deny that when I was told Kylie was being killed off I didn’t say ‘Fine, that’s your decision.’ But three years down the line people are still talking about her. And now I think it was a shame.

“However, as an actress it means I have to go out there and prove myself, get back on the box as a different character and make a mark.”

Lane, at 33, isn’t on the box right now. She’s appearing in Glasgow in West End musical theatre hit Kinky Boots.

The award-winning show, with songs by Cindy Lauper, is based on true events. It tells the story of Charlie Price who is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations for the down-at-heel family shoe business.

But help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola - a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

What Lane loved about the chance to play ditsy blonde factory worker Lauren was the opportunity to be seen in a character far removed from Kylie.

But was there trepidation involved in going into an already massively successful show? And given she’s not a musical theatre performer, was pulling on Kinky Boots something of a stretch? “I definitely didn’t see it coming,” she reflects. “It wasn’t on the cards for me. It was sorted by my agent who put me up for it.”

She adds; “I wasn’t a complete novice, I’d done a fair bit of musical theatre at college. But when you look at what actually goes on up there on stage, all the technicalities, you realise what is involved.

“And since joining the show, I won’t lie, I’ve needed reassurance. There are times when I’ve had to battle with my self-esteem. I’ve gone through this feeling ‘I’m not having such a good day today.’ But thankfully, the producers have been great with me. And then I watched it in the West End and I really enjoyed it. And when I saw the role they had in mind for me I felt I could give it a good crack of the whip.”

What’s endearing about Lane is she doesn’t abound with over confidence. The actor admits the vagaries of the business don’t play out well in the mind of an introspective character. “This career is full of highs and crazy lows. It does sort of blow your mind a little bit. I live in the country for a reason. I’m into yoga and I go for walks and breathe fresh air.”

Her partner is an actor Tom Shaw. The couple met aged 17 at college. “Yes, we’ve lasted the course,” she says, smiling. “It’s great because you are a support network for each other. And we’ve been together 15 years.”

The couple have two young children. Does this make touring especially demanding? “Yes, and I won’t be in a hurry to take on a long contract (a year) which I have with this one. My kids are my world and you’re pulled n all directions.

“But having said that, most parents feel the same. I just try to cope and get home as often as I can. And we Facetime every day.”

There isn’t a part of Lane however that isn’t loving the challenge of live musical theatre every night. “I can’t deny the buzz I get from the show. I feel I’ve added a new string to my bow. And what’s great, and so different from television, is the chance to come out the next night and make sure you do it better. I love trying to see what I can do to improve. And it’s good to test yourself.”

Lane, who made her professional acting debut in ITV’s Heartbeat, is still thankful for the Coronation Street experience. “It taught me to think on my feet. You have to work at speed and improvise. And now, I’m firing on all cylinders and ready for the next big thing, no matter what that may be.”

Appearing at the likes of the King’s Theatre is all a massive contrast from her last stint in theatre in Scotland. Lane wasn’t even out of drama college when she appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in a show, Queen Bess.

“It was a snapshot comedy about the apocalypse,” she recalls, laughing. “I remember having a colander on my head to protect me from bombs. I also remember I didn’t get paid and I had to pay for my own accommodation.”

She smiles; “Yes, now I get paid,” she says. “And as an actor I have a new lease of life.”

Kinky Boots, the King’s Theatre, Glasgow, May 7 – 18.