How I Spiced Up My Sex Life With Jack
Less than a year ago, Kym Marsh’s marriage was floundering along with her career. But
her slim-line new look has got both back on track
Getting into shape has not only boosted Kym Marsh’s career – it’s also put the sizzle
back into her sex life. The former Hear’ Say singer, 28 this month, has shed half a stone
to win a lead role in the musical Saturday Night Fever. The bonus is that it has also revved
up her marriage to ex- Eastenders heart throb Jack Ryder.
“I’m a performer and it’s my job to look good on stage, but I also want to look good for my
man,” says Kym. “I bought some very sexy lingerie recently from Agent Provocateur and
wanted to look amazing in it for Jack. We have a healthy sex life, but it’s good to spice
things up sometimes!”
Kym will play Annette in the London musical, which opens 2 July. She’s slimmed down from
8st 9lb to 8st 2lb to make sure she can cope with the gruelling schedule – and that
underwear! “I’ll be doing eight shows a week, spending 16 hours on stage. I’ll only get one
day off a week!” says Kym. “I’ll lose weight just through nerves, let alone dancing. Just look
at what Chicago did to Denise Van Outen.”
When Kym started her diet two months ago, she immediately cut out bread as she found
it made her bloated. “My tummy got flatter and I felt lighter although I didn’t lose any
weight,” she says.
Kym, who suffered from bulimia as a teenager and was the subject of cruel jibes about
her weight when Hear’ Say was formed in 2000, has also cut down her fat intake. “I don’t
have cheese anymore. It’s really bad for you – it contains so much fat. When I’m singing I
cut out dairy altogether at it affects your throat,” she explains.
After using a personal trainer last year, Kym has now roped Jack into keeping fit with her.
“My regime involved 40 minutes’ running three times a week, lifting weights to tone my
arms and back for ten minutes three times a week, and 30 minutes’ boxing, which was
great for releasing pent-up aggression! “Jack and I now train together, which is much
more fun than running on your own.” All the training she’s doing means Kym can indulge in
the odd calorific treat. “I love Cadbury’s Crème Eggs and I have one or two a week,” she
says. “There are times in the month when all women crave chocolate and I don’t deny
myself.”
It’s been a tough couple of years for the Wigan-born singer. Not only did her record
company dump her after her solo career flopped, but she and Jack split up briefly. The
couple, who married in August 2002 after a year-long romance, found themselves under
increasing strain after Jack quit his £120,000-a-year role as Eastenders Jamie Mitchell.
As he struggled to find work, Kym was spending more time away from home pursuing her
own career.
Things came to a head in July 2003, when Jack moved out of the family home in St Albans
for a few weeks. “It was a difficult time,” says Kym of the split. “We’re both strong
characters and what married couple doesn’t have ups and downs? We love each other
and have put it behind us. We’ve moved on together.”
Happily reunited, Kym and Jack now make sure they spend more time together, and with
Kym’s children, David, nine, and Emily, five. “We go out for meals as often as possible, but
usually as a family to McDonalds rather than [celeb haunt] the Ivy!” laughs Kym.
Kyms parents, David and Pauline, have now moved into Kym and Jack’s home to help look
after the children when she and Jack are working. The singer admits she’s nervous about
making her stage debut, but has had voice coaching to help her. “I have to have a New
York accent, so I’ve had a dialogue coach. Luckily, I’m quite good at accents to I think I’ve
mastered it,” she says.
Although Kym and Jack are back on track, they’ve got no immediate plans to expand
their family. “We’d love to have a baby but now I’ve got six months work in the musical and
Jack is working on new projects. [He has a small role in ITV’S MIT drama and a panto lined
up for later this year.] “We’ll have to postpone baby plans until next year,” says Kym.
But has the shock pregnancy of Suzanne Shaw, her close friend and former Hear’ Say
bandmate, left her broody? “Definitely. My two are growing up so fast,” says Kym. “I’m
excited for her and Darren. I was one of the first people she called. It’s great to see her
with a man she loves having a family. When I met Darren I thought he was really nice. You
don’t choose to have a baby with someone without being serious about them. I think they’
ll last.”
With her stage career about to take off, Kym is unlikely to resurrect her pop career.
“There are no plans for a new single. I want to concentrate on the musical and spending
time with my kids,” says Kym. “I’ll be working evenings so I’ll be able to do the school run
and spend time with Jack.”
And she’ll be putting those Agent Provocateur undies to good use, no doubt!