|
Kym Marsh Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: June 13, 1976
-
Birth Place: Whiston, Merseyside, England, UK
-
Birth Name: Kymberley Gail Marsh
-
Height: 5'4"
|
|
|
Biography |
Born Kimberley Gail Marsh in Whiston, Knowsley, Merseyside,
England, on 13 June 1976, Kym is an English actress and
singer who grew up in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater
Manchester. She first became famous in 2001 after appearing
as a contestant on ITV's talent show Popstars and currently
plays Michelle Connor in the long-running ITV soap opera
Coronation Street, which she has played since 2006.
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 were unhappy. After they released an
unsuccessful second album, Kym broke news that she was
leaving the band.
After a while out of the spotlight, Kym emerged again,
signing a solo record deal with Island Records. Her first
single, Cry, went to #2 in the UK singles chart, whilst her
2nd single Come On Over made #10.
In July of 2003 Kym released her debut solo album which
contained her three solo singles and twelve other tracks.
Kym's 'make-or-break' 3rd single, Sentimental, stalled at
#35 resulting in her being dropped by her record label. Kym
has since expressed her unhappiness whilst she was in the
music industry.
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.
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, Ryder re-joined
the musical during it's UK tour with a short run of
performances at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
In 2005, Ryder 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
Ryder 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.
Ryder 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.
Kym married former EastEnders actor Jack Ryder on 10th
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.
Kym has two children, David aged 12 and Emily aged 10, from
a previous relationship with Dave Cunliffe.
Kym and Jack and the children now live at Appleton Thorn,
Warrington. |
|
|
Other
Information |
Lead singer of "Popstars" (2000/I) band Hear'Say, who had
two UK Number 1 singles - "Pure and Simple" and "The Way To
Your Love" - and a UK Number 1 album, "Popstars".
Has two children: David and Emily.
The youngest of four children, having a sister, Tracy, and
two brothers, David and John.
Attended the Elliot Clarke Stage School in Liverpool for two
years, but was unhappy at only singing there one day each
week, and decided to leave when she was fifteen.
After leaving school, worked in a number of jobs including
receptionist and shop assistant.
Daughter-in-law of former Wang Chung frontman Jack Hues.
At 16 she did some backing vocals for the group Freaky
Realistic.
Won the Favorite Newcomer award at the The 2nd TVNow Awards
(2007) (TV) in Dublin in April 2007.
Won Best Actress for her role as Michelle Connor in
"Coronation Street" (1960) at the Daily Star Soaper Star
Awards in February 2008.
Was nominated for Best Actress for her role as Michelle
Connor in "Coronation Street" (1960) at the Inside Soap
Awards in 2007, but lost out to Lacey Turner. Was also
nominated for Best Couple along with her co-star Simon
Gregson but, again, lost out to Lacey Turner and Charlie
Clements from "EastEnders" (1985). |
|
|
|
since February 27, 2008