Celebrity Online NewsOnline Celebrity Gossip and News

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2006)

Kimberley Gail Marsh, previously professionally known as Kym Ryder[1], (born 13 June 1976 in Whiston, Merseyside^{citation needed}) is an English actress and singer.

She first fell into the public-eye in 2001 after appearing as a contestant on ITV's talent show Popstars where she made the final line-up for the band Hear'Say along with four others. Kym left the group in 2002 and now plays Michelle Connor in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street.

Music career

Hear'Say

In 2001 Popstars was on the lookout for five girls, or boys, to be part of a group, that would go on to try and make it big in the charts. Kym was one of the lucky ones who impressed judges with her vocal talent.

After becoming one of the chosen five for the group that became Hear'Say, she and fellow group mates were moved into a mansion, in preparation for the single and album launch. Whilst auditioning for the group, she kept it a secret that she had two children, David and Emily, who were then aged 5 and 3. She became particularly noticeable when she became angry and emotional when one judge, Nigel Lythgoe, advised her to lose weight. Cursing and crying, Marsh refused to be judged, but became popular with the public.

Hear'Say hit the #1 spot in the UK with debut single Pure & Simple and also with their debut album Popstars. Popstars went on to sell 1.2 million copies in the UK, followed by their own television show entitled Hear'say It's Saturday, performing with established artists such as Lionel Richie, Joe Pasquale, Bradley Walsh, Blue and Atomic Kitten. Subsequently the band achieved a 37 date sell-out arena tour and performed numerous television guest appearances.

However, the media were quick to savage the group, and scrutinise their every move. The band enjoyed one more single before tensions started to emerge.

First came reports of Marsh, and fellow bandmate Myleene Klass clashing, and having vicious spats in the street. One tabloid headline read that Kym actually punched Myleene. All reports were denied on both sides, although it was clear that the group was unhappy. After they released an unsuccessful second album, Kym broke news that she was leaving the band.

Solo singing career

After a while out of the spotlight, Kym emerged again, signing a solo record deal with Island Records. Her first single, Cry, went to number two in the UK singles chart, whilst her 2nd single Come On Over made #10.

In July 2003, Kym released her debut solo album which contained her three solo singles and twelve other tracks.

Kym's 'make-or-break' third single, Sentimental, stalled at number 35 resulting in her being dropped by her record label.

Discography

Albums

• Popstars - UK #1 (2001) (Hear'Say album)
• Everybody - UK #24 (2001) (Hear'Say album)
• Standing Tall - UK #9 (2003)

Singles

Eurovision

In a surprise move in early 2006, she entered Making Your Mind Up, the UK show to pick a singer and song for the Eurovision Song Contest with a song called "Whisper To Me". Kym came fourth in the contest, losing out to the winner Daz Sampson.

Acting

From July 2004 to February 2005, Marsh played "Annette" in the hit West End musical Saturday Night Fever at the Apollo Victoria Theatre to much critical acclaim, The Guardian calling her 'sparkling'. In November 2005, Marsh re-joined the musical during its UK tour with a short run of performances at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

In 2005, Marsh became a presenter on ITV's Loose Women, appeared in an episode of Doctors playing "Ruth Parry" for the BBC and played "Jill" in the Christmas Pantomime Mother Goose opposite Jonathan Wilkes in Stoke-on-Trent. In 2006 Marsh appeared in an episode of Holby City playing "Myrna Morrison" and the recurring role of "Kay" in the Hollyoaks spin-off series Hollyoaks: In the City which was screened on E4.

Marsh joined Coronation Street, as young singer and barmaid Michelle Connor, who sang with Vernon Tomlin's band. She sparked up a quick rivalry with Liz McDonald. Initially appearing early in 2006, she rejoined the soap as a regular character in July 2006, as the programme introduced the character's family. She has continued with her successful role, and her acting talents have been shown clearly. She has now signed a £100,000 contract to stay on the soap for at least another year.

Marsh has said she would love to be Corrie's next Vera Duckworth.¹

Awards and nominations

2007:

• Won 'Best Newcomer' at The British Soap Awards
• Won 'Best Newcomer' at the TV Quick Awards.
• Won 'Favourite Newcomer' at the TV Now Awards
• Nominated for 'Best Actress' at the Inside Soap Awards, lost out to Lacey Turner
• Nominated for 'Best Couple' alongside Simon Gregson, lost out to Lacey Turner and Charlie Clements
• Won 'Most Popular Newcomer' at the National Television Awards.

2008:

• Won 'Best TV Soap Personality' at the TRIC Awards
• Won 'Best Celeb Mum' at the Tesco Awards
• Won 'Favourite Actress' at the TV Now Awards.
• Nominated for 'Best Actress' at the Inside Soap Awards, lost out to Lacey Turner
• Won 'Best Dressed Soap Star' at the Inside Soap Awards.

Personal life

Kym married former EastEnders actor Jack Ryder on 10 August, 2002 and, after settling in St Albans, the couple had early difficulties and split for a short while before reconciling. In light of her regular roles in north-west-produced dramas, while Jack generally tours in theatre, the couple moved to Manchester and closer to Kym's family in 2005.². It was announced on 20th March 2008 that the couple had decided to separate and are looking to divorce.³

Kym has two children, David aged 13 and Emily aged 10, from a previous relationship with Dave Cunliffe. The family presently live at Appleton Thorn, Warrington.

In June 2008 it was rumoured that Kym is dating Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas (who plays Warren Fox) after pictures of the pair passionately kissing outside her home surfaced in a magazine. They confirmed their relationship in July by showing up at the Inside Soap Awards together.⁴

Kym revealed that she once had a crush on her now on-screen love interest Simon Gregson and that she is close friends with Gregson, Alison King, Charlie Condou, Anthony Cotton, Beverley Callard, and Rob James-Collier.

Future

On 19 June 2008, Marsh signed a £100,000 contract to stay on Coronation Street for at least another year.⁵ On 4 August she said that she won't get bored of the ITV soap.⁶

References

External links

• Kym Marsh at the Internet Movie Database