Kym Marsh

All Music Guide:

A part of one of the most groundbreaking TV shows of the noughties, Kym Marsh has undoubtedly had the most eventful career of any U.K. reality pop star. Born in Garswood, Lancashire in 1976 to a Lebanese immigrant mother and English father, Marsh began performing at a young age. At ten years old, she sang with a band at her local Labour club and by the age of 13 had released her first single, "One Kiss," through a small record label, Jelly Street Records. After attending the Elliot Clark stage school in Liverpool, Marsh provided vocals for several dance acts including Solar Stone and 2dB.

In 2000, she joined thousands of hopefuls on ITV's Popstars show, an innovative talent search contest which televised the usually secretive audition process. She quickly became one of the most high-profile contestants thanks to clashes with judge Nigel Lythgoe over her weight and the revelation she had two children. After being chosen for the final five she, along with her band Hear'Say, moved in together and began work on their debut album. Their first single, "Pure and Simple," became the fastest selling debut single ever, follow-up single "The Way to Your Love" and parent album Popstars, also reached the top spot and the group embarked on a 37 date sell-out arena tour. But just weeks after second album Everybody was released, Marsh left the group amid reports of fights with fellow member Myleene Klass.

After signing a solo deal with Island Records, she initially achieved success with her more mature acoustic pop sound. Both "Cry" (number two) and "Come on Over" (number ten) reached the Top Ten, but third single "Sentimental" (number 35) flopped and debut album Standing Tall (number nine) only spent three weeks in the chart. Returning to acting, she played Annette in Saturday Night Fever in the West End, and appeared in Holby City, Hollyoaks in the City, and Doctors. In 2006, she competed in Making Your Mind Up, the BBC's search for a Eurovision entrant, but could only finish fourth with her track "Whisper to Me." In 2006, she briefly appeared as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street, but proved so popular that producers made her role permanent and she quickly became one of the U.K.'s most popular soap actresses. Marsh won Most Popular Newcomer at 2007's National Television Awards.

Wikipedia:

Kimberley Gail "Kym" Marsh (formerly Ryder, born 13 June 1976) is an English actress, singer and former member of Hear'Say.

Early life

Marsh was born in Whiston, Merseyside and raised in Garswood, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside. She first came 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. Marsh left the group in 2002 and now plays Michelle Connor in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street.

Music career

Solo singing career

Prior to her time in Hearsay, Kym had provided session vocals for a number of artists including Matt Darey DJ having recorded several songs, Hemstock & Jennings. She sang in Norwegian for their track 'Arctic' which caught the attention of Paul van Dyk and was remixed and re-recorded with additional vocals from Jan Johnston. The track was released in the UK via Positiva and reached #14 in the UK charts Kym and Jan were only credited to the track on the inner sleeve notes.

After a while out of the spotlight, Marsh 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 second single "Come on Over" made number 10.

In July 2003, Marsh released her debut solo album, Standing Tall, which contained three solo singles and twelve other tracks. Marsh's make-or-break third single, "Sentimental", stalled at number 35 resulting in her being dropped by her record label.

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". Marsh came fourth in the contest, losing out to winner Daz Sampson.

Television career

Marsh made her TV acting debut in a 2005 episode of BBC soap opera Doctors, playing a character called Ruth Parry.

In 2006, after playing prostitute Kay Price in one episode of Channel 4 late night soap Hollyoaks: In The City, she joined the cast of Coronation Street as Michelle Connor on 3 April 2006.

On 14 December 2008, she appeared as a presenter for the X Factor final. She presented for 20-year old, Alexandra Burke, in North London - Burke's home town. Alexandra went onto win the show.

In January 2010 Marsh participated in the British ITV1 celebrity reality television programme Popstar to Operastar. She was voted out in Week 5 along with Marcella Detroit.

Personal life

Marsh has two children, David Ryan (born April 1995) and Emily May (born late 1997), from a previous relationship with Dave Cunliffe. The family presently live in Appleton Thorn, Warrington.

Marsh married former EastEnders actor Jack Ryder in St Albans, Hertfordshire, 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 Marsh's regular roles in North West-produced dramas, while Ryder generally tours in theatre, the couple moved to Manchester and closer to Marsh's family in 2005. It was announced on 20 March 2008 that the couple had decided to separate and was looking to divorce. On 26 March 2009, Marsh admitted she had committed adultery during her marriage, although it was stated that the adultery was not committed whilst she was actually with Ryder only once they had separated. Marsh and Ryder announced their divorce on 12 August 2009. This was following a reportedly "bitter" battle with some reports suggesting Ryder was seeking one million pounds from Marsh.

Marsh has been dating Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas (who plays Warren Fox) since July 2008. She and Lomas announced that they were expecting a baby due in the summer of 2009. On 12 February 2009, Marsh released a statement announcing their son, Archie Jay Lomas, had been born 18 weeks early on 11 February, and had died moments after birth. Marsh stated "Archie is our beautiful angel and we will miss him so much. Thank you all for your support." Marsh and Lomas announced their split on 9 October 2009, and Lomas subsequently moved out of Marsh's home. The couple reconciled the following month as Marsh won Mother of the Year 2009 and on Christmas Day 2009 Lomas proposed to Marsh and she accepted. Marsh and Lomas announced Kym was 3 months pregnant on 26 October 2010. Marsh filmed a documentary for ITV about premature births, called: Born Too Soon and in late 2010 spoke at and helped organise a celebrity filled gala to raise money for special care baby charity Bliss.

On 23 March 2011, Marsh gave birth to a baby girl, Polly, who was delivered five weeks early and weighed just over 4lb.