She is known for her roles as Lynda Block in the Sky One drama series Dream Team (1998–2003, 2005–2007), and Carla Connor in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street (2006–present).
She continued to act while attending Groby Community College, where a teacher would offer drama and dance classes to students in their free time.
At the age of 18, King moved to Newquay, Cornwall, where she worked at Fat Willys Surf Shack.
During her time at theatre school, King landed her first television role playing Helen, a hair salon crimper, in two episodes of Brookside.
Before the conclusion of her three-year diploma, she was cast in the major role of Lynda Block in Sky One's, Dream Team.
The stunt guy had worked with Angelina Jolie on Tomb Raider and he showed me how to hang upside down from things, how to jump down into dams and how to strangle people with my knees.
[5] King made a guest appearance in the final episode of Mile High, playing the wife of Captain Nigel Croker, and was featured in Coupling in the episode "The Man with Two Legs", as Chrissy with whom Jeff Murdock becomes infatuated on his morning train ride.
Her one-episode role was part of a larger storyline to "sex up" Ryan Thomas's character, builder Jason Grimshaw.
[9] King spoke of how there was an 800% increase in calls to support organisations after the storyline had aired, and that people had contacted her about their real-life experiences, some of whom she has kept in communication with.
She spoke to RadioTimes of her reason to leave: "I've probably only ever done about 20 pickups or drop offs in all the time my daughter's been at school, which is quite sad.
"[15] She later confessed that she blames Coronation Street for "destroying her feet and shattering her vocal cords", regretting that she agreed to portray Carla Connor for 10 years with a gravelly voice and high heels.
Since her return, King has been nominated for a British Soap Award for 'Best Female' and has won praise for her portrayal of Carla's psychosis storyline in May 2019.
[19] She made appearances in a series of recurring television adverts for Daz titled "Cleaner Close", a parody of soap operas.
[20][21][22] In 2014, it was reported that King had requested extra security from ITV bosses after it emerged she had a female stalker.
[26] King had a five-year relationship with former Coronation Street actor Philip Middlemiss (who played Des Barnes).
[27] In 2006, she became engaged to fellow actor Jim Alexander who co-starred in several series of Dream Team with her, as well as the Daz adverts.
In an OK Magazine cover and interview in September 2019, King posed for photos with her new fiancé, IT consultant David Stuckley, and announced their engagement.