Kym Marsh tells why joining ‘Coronation Street’ marks a turning point in her life.
In nearly ten years there have been only two new families in Coronation Street- first the Battersbys in 1997 and then the Harrises in 2002. Now we have the Connors – a sister and two bothers – who promise to create chaos on the cobbles.
We’ve already seen singer and single mum Michelle Connor – played by former Hear’Say star Kym Marsh – on the street, but her character is set to return on 13th August with her 14-year-old son Ryan (Ben Thompson), followed soon by her two brothers lovable lothario Liam (played by Dawn to Earth star Rob James-Collier), and then by the eldest brother Paul (played by Linda Green star Sean Gallagher)
Becoming a Corrie regular when her character Michelle is offered a job as a barmaid at the Rovers is a dream come true for Kym, who is married to ex-Eastedner Jack Ryder and sees playing Michelle as a turning point in her life. As such, she will now be professionally known by her married name: “I’ve been Ryder in everything other than my career for the past four years and it frustrated me to not be known as Ryder for work,” she says. “This is the start of a new era for me so it’s a good moment to do it”.
It was only last year that she decided to change direction in her career from singing to acting. She then secured four episodes of the soap with a view to becoming a regular if her character worked. “It was a real pressure,” says the 29-year old Kym, who is originally from Wigan. “When you change direction, people are always watching you to make a slip. I knew if I didn’t get called back after four episodes they’d be saying ‘who does she think she is?’ I tried not to think about it because I knew id be so disappointed if I wasn’t called back. My episodes went out in April and I found out in May that they did want me back. My mum screamed when she found out! The whole family celebrated with a champagne dinner.”
Jack, Kym and her two children from a previous relationship – David, 11, and eight year old Emily- are moving from their London home up to the north west. “Actually, It’s like fate” says Kym, clearly delighted to be moving closer to her mum and dad, Pauline and David. “We had our house on the market and had be toying with the idea of moving north because as actors we could be based anywhere. We hadn’t had a single offer on the house, though. But the same week I’d found out I got Corrie, we got an offer on the house. It seemed destined.
Has jack – who played Jamie Mitchell in Eastenders for four years – given her any tips? “It’s great because jack understands all about the working hours and everything,” says Kym and she’s relishing playing Michelle. “Oh she’s fab, I love her! She’s feisty and fun and got a great sense of humour. Everyone likes her – except Liz Macdonald because her chap Vernon is clearly smitten with Michelle”
In the future we’re likely to see Michelle paired up with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), while Liam Connor will be wooing Danny Baldwin’s ex, Frankie. “I think Liam has been a bit of a womaniser.” says Rob. “But he’s coming to a period when he can’t be doing that any more. He’s genuinely interested in Frankie – but he hasn’t totally closed his eyes to the other girls” Sean adds: “the boys are both very protective of their sister Michelle. They are a paid of Mancunuans who started out in the markets and went into the rag trade. While they’re not out-and-out villains, they’re only just on the right side of the law.
Like many newcomers to the show, all threw were in awe in their early days on set. Rob, 29, a native Mancunain, says: “I don’t know who’s more excited, me or my mum. My mates are buzzing, too. As one said, Coronation Street is the Manchester United of television. The Connors are a bit like the Oasis’s Gallagher brothers without the music!”
Sean says: “You stand in The Rovers – which actually is lot smaller than you imagine – and you realise that everyone who has been in the programme since Ena Sharples onwards has stood at that bar.”
Even Kym, who has stood in front of thousands of fans during her time with both Hear’say and during her solo career, says: “I tell you, if I’d had an autograph book… Seriously. I was totally starstruck at first. I was made to feel so welcome and relaxed though, it does make it easier.”
As yet, the Connors don’t have a house on the street but Kym has ambitions well beyond the initial year’s contract they’ve all been given: “I’d love to do the show for a long, long time. There are so many places you could go with Michelle.” So is she the new Elsie Tanner or Bet Lynch? Kym laughs: “I’m a bit of both! I’ve certainly got the big earrings!”