Aherne admitted to enjoying certain aspects of fame, particularly attention from fans which she compared to being "like a cuddle".
In an interview with The Independent newspaper the 37-year-old, who also created spoof chat show host Mrs Merton, said there is no other way for her to avoid press attention.
"I don't feel persecuted or singled out," she said.
"I know it's a game, I'm just saying I'm getting out of it."
Aherne admitted to enjoying certain aspects of fame, particularly attention from fans which she compared to being "like a cuddle".
But she also described her embarrassment when she was followed on holiday to Mauritius by a tabloid newspaper and secretly photographed.
"When I phoned my mum and she told me about the pictures, I though 'Oh God, what have they got?'"
Postponed
But despite her complaints the Manchester-born actress did agree to be photographed by Hello! magazine in the second week of her holiday.
Aherne now plans to move abroad and write an autobiography.
Plans for a ten-part BBC chat show hosted by Royle Family collaborator Craig Cash, have also been scrapped.
Aherne said Cash was shocked by her announcement but that her co-star is "so brilliant and talented" that he will be "fine".
A film called The Learner, which was due to go into production next year, has been postponed indefinitely.
There will be no further series of The Royle Family, though there are plans for a US remake of the series.
Baggage
Aherne has become a particular target of press interest due to her very public battles with alcoholism.
"For whatever reason, my drinking, trying to top myself, going to The Priory, I realise that I'm a tabloid attraction," said Aherne.
"My life has been up and down like a rollercoaster."
She also complained that her relationships are dissected by the media.
One boyfriend's mother was visited by a journalist in Seattle and asked for baby pictures, something she said prospective partners would find "daunting".
As a consequence she is loathe to accept dates and has not had a boyfriend for three years.
"I've been asked out but I haven't wanted to give them a load of baggage they don't need," she said.