Kym Marsh

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Kym Marsh
Background information
Origin England
Years active 2001 - Present
Associated acts Hear'Say

Kimberley Gail Marsh, professionally known as Kym Ryder, (born 13 June 1976 in Wigan, Garswood, Lancashire) is an English actress and singer. Her mother was a Lebanese immigrant and her father is English.

She first fell into the public-eye in 2001 after appearing as a contestant on ITV's talent show Popstars Kym left the band due to arguments with fellow band mate Mylenne Klass. and now plays Michelle Connor in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, which she has played since 2006. She is married to fellow actor Jack Ryder.

Contents

[edit] Music career

[edit] 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 were unhappy. After they released an unsuccessful second album, Kym broke news that she was leaving the band.

[edit] 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 of 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.

Kym will release her second album in 2008.

[edit] Discography

Albums

  • Popstars - UK #1 (2001) (Hear'Say album)
  • Everybody - UK #20 (2001) (Hear'Say album)
  • Standing Tall - UK #9 (2003)

Singles

Year Single Chart positions Album
UK IRE
2001 "Pure and Simple" 1 3 Popstars (Hear'Say album)
2001 "The Way To Your Love" 1 10
2001 "Everybody (Hear'Say song)" 4 23 Everybody (Hear'Say album)
2003 "Cry" 2 25 Standing Tall
2003 "Come On Over" 10
2003 "Sentimental" 35

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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, Ryder re-joined the musical during its 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.

[edit] Coronation Street

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.

[edit] Awards and nominations

Throughout her career, Ryder has been nominated for various awards, winning many. The following table lists Ryder's awards and nominations for acting and non-acting.

Year Award Result
2007 British Soap Awards - 'Best Newcomer' (Michelle Connor, Coronation St) Won
TVNow Awards - 'Favourite Newcomer' (Michelle Connor, Coronation St) Won
Inside Soap Awards - 'Best Actress' (Michelle Connor, Coronation St) Nominated
Inside Soap Awards - 'Best Couple' with Simon Gregson (Michelle Conner and Steve McDonald, Coronation St) Nominated
TV Quick & TV Choice - 'Best Newcomer' (Michelle Connor, Coronation St) Won
National Television Awards - 'Most Popular Newcomer' (Michelle Connor, Coronation St) Won
2008 Daily Star Soaper Star Awards - 'Best Actress' (Michelle Connor, Coronation St) [1] Won
Tesco Magazine Awards - 'Celebrity Mum Of The Year' Won
La Redoute's - 'Celebrity Mum Of The Year' Nominated
TRIC Awards - 'TV Soap Personality' (Michelle Connor, Coronation St) Won
All About Soap Bubble Awards - 'Best Celeb Style' Won
TVNow Awards - 'Favorite Female Soap Star' (Michelle Connor, Coronation St) Won

[edit] 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.[3]

Kym has two children, David aged 12 and Emily aged 10, from a previous relationship with Dave Cunliffe. The family presently live at Appleton Thorn, Warrington.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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