~ Woman Magazine - April 2007 ~
Babies can wait... I'm too busy with Corrie!
Kym Ryder talks about her family plans - and hopes for Michelle and Steve
Corrie's Connor siblings have always been close, but this week their relationship is blown apart when sister Michelle finally discovers that her oldest brother Paul was responsible for the death of her partner Dean, and that her brother Liam helped him cover it up.
It's a terrible time for the single mum, but the good news is that Michelle's heartache brings her closer to Steve McDonald - so after months of 'will they?', won't they?', we're far closer to it finally being reality. Kym tells us that she couldn't agree more - if only because she'll have good news to give to the fans who stop her in the street to tell her why they'd make such a good couple.
When WOMAN met the 30-year-old popstar turned actress, she was clearly totally at ease playing the iconic role of a Rovers Return barmaid, and confided that her life couldn't be better since she joined the famous soap - particularly since she and ex-EastEnder husband Jack relocated to Cheshire along with her two children, David and Emily. All that's missing now is one final addition to the family.
Kym, it's the question everyone wants an answer to - are Michelle and Steve going to get together?
Well, they do share a moment this week. Michelle is totally devastated when she finds out that her brothers were involved in her husband's death, and because Liam and Paul have always been there for her, she feels very alone. As a result, she finds herself confiding in Steve. He takes her in his arms and something almost happens - but they both freak out and decide it isn't the right time.
How frustrating! Is it ever going to happen?
I hope so! Everyone wants them to be a couple, and they're so well suited. But you'll have to wait just a little bit longer. They've both had a lot of bad luck when it comes to romance, so it will be lovely if they do eventually live happy ever after.
Do you get on well with Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald?
Yes, he's a lovely guy - very funny. It's very hard to do anything serious with him, though, because he makes me laugh so much. I also get on great with Beverley Callard, who plays Steve's mum, Liz. In fact, before I joined Coronation Street she was my favourite character, and she was such a help when I started - she's one of my best friends now.
You moved to Cheshire from London when Michelle became a permanent Corrie character. How are the family settling in?
Really well. We live in the country, which is brilliant, and Jack loves it up here - he's becoming an honorary northerner. It's great for the kids too, because their dad lives in the north. They used to come up every fortnight to see him anyway, so now it's a much easier journey. It's good for me too, because when I'm at work, I can give it my all but I can still be at home at night with my children. I'm so lucky that Coronation Street gave me this great opportunity.
Are you planning on having more children?
We'd love to have a baby - just the one though! But we're in no rush. We're waiting until we find the time. I've got so much going on at Corrie at the moment, and Jack has some exciting work coming up too. But it's definitely something we're planning on.
How do the kids feel about having a brother or sister?
They think it's a great idea. My daughter Emily often asks about it. David's nearly 12 and Emily's coming up to 10, so by the time we do have a baby they'll be old enough to babysit!
I'm so chuffed for Myleene
She's the last of the three girls from Hear'Say to become a mum and I think she'll be great. She's such a grounded well organised person - I'm delighted for her and her fiance, Gray. We don't see each other as much as I'd like but we meet up at award do's and chat on the phone. Maybe now she'll find the time to relax a little bit.
Corrie's Connor siblings have always been close, but this week their relationship is blown apart when sister Michelle finally discovers that her oldest brother Paul was responsible for the death of her partner Dean, and that her brother Liam helped him cover it up.
It's a terrible time for the single mum, but the good news is that Michelle's heartache brings her closer to Steve McDonald - so after months of 'will they?', won't they?', we're far closer to it finally being reality. Kym tells us that she couldn't agree more - if only because she'll have good news to give to the fans who stop her in the street to tell her why they'd make such a good couple.
When WOMAN met the 30-year-old popstar turned actress, she was clearly totally at ease playing the iconic role of a Rovers Return barmaid, and confided that her life couldn't be better since she joined the famous soap - particularly since she and ex-EastEnder husband Jack relocated to Cheshire along with her two children, David and Emily. All that's missing now is one final addition to the family.
Kym, it's the question everyone wants an answer to - are Michelle and Steve going to get together?
Well, they do share a moment this week. Michelle is totally devastated when she finds out that her brothers were involved in her husband's death, and because Liam and Paul have always been there for her, she feels very alone. As a result, she finds herself confiding in Steve. He takes her in his arms and something almost happens - but they both freak out and decide it isn't the right time.
How frustrating! Is it ever going to happen?
I hope so! Everyone wants them to be a couple, and they're so well suited. But you'll have to wait just a little bit longer. They've both had a lot of bad luck when it comes to romance, so it will be lovely if they do eventually live happy ever after.
Do you get on well with Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald?
Yes, he's a lovely guy - very funny. It's very hard to do anything serious with him, though, because he makes me laugh so much. I also get on great with Beverley Callard, who plays Steve's mum, Liz. In fact, before I joined Coronation Street she was my favourite character, and she was such a help when I started - she's one of my best friends now.
You moved to Cheshire from London when Michelle became a permanent Corrie character. How are the family settling in?
Really well. We live in the country, which is brilliant, and Jack loves it up here - he's becoming an honorary northerner. It's great for the kids too, because their dad lives in the north. They used to come up every fortnight to see him anyway, so now it's a much easier journey. It's good for me too, because when I'm at work, I can give it my all but I can still be at home at night with my children. I'm so lucky that Coronation Street gave me this great opportunity.
Are you planning on having more children?
We'd love to have a baby - just the one though! But we're in no rush. We're waiting until we find the time. I've got so much going on at Corrie at the moment, and Jack has some exciting work coming up too. But it's definitely something we're planning on.
How do the kids feel about having a brother or sister?
They think it's a great idea. My daughter Emily often asks about it. David's nearly 12 and Emily's coming up to 10, so by the time we do have a baby they'll be old enough to babysit!
I'm so chuffed for Myleene
She's the last of the three girls from Hear'Say to become a mum and I think she'll be great. She's such a grounded well organised person - I'm delighted for her and her fiance, Gray. We don't see each other as much as I'd like but we meet up at award do's and chat on the phone. Maybe now she'll find the time to relax a little bit.