Wow! It’s Kym!
How did this single mum from Wigan bag a showbiz prince and lose enough weight to
morph into a fairytale princess? Kym Marsh tells us how she made every girl’s dream a
reality.
There’s a pop idol on the studio floor doing crunches. Nothing new in a singer trying to
keep slim, you might think, but this songbird is the original Popstar – Kym Marsh – the
once voluptuous-looking TV talent show winner whom Nasty Nigel famously called ‘fat’.
(His actual words were: ‘Christmas is over and the goose has gotten fat. You needed to
lose weight before Christmas. And you definitely need to lose it now.’) But after a year
away from Britain’s pop radar, 26 year old Kym is back on target for a Brit-award winning
solo career. Her soul-searching Natalie Imbruglia-esque album, Standing Tall, is out next
month, her marriage to ex-‘Enders heart-throb Jack Ryder is as shiny and solid as her
wedding ring (he’s at home reading scripts today) and her amazing new look will stun her
former Hear’Say colleagues (she’s gone from a size 12 to a 10 in as many months). But
how did this one-time-single-mum with two kids from a previous relationship make it
happen? She took a break in her busy work schedule to tell us what she did. Oh and not
forgetting how to do a perfect sit-up.
Did you ever dream that two years on from Popstars, you’d be releasing your
debut single?
‘It’s unbelievable isn’t it? Everything’s changed and it’s fantastic. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’
t scared. I have nightmares about walking on stage and no one caring.’
Do you have any regrets about Popstars?
‘None. I had such a fantastic time and I owe everything to being in Hear’Say. Without it, I
wouldn’t have lived a dream, I wouldn’t have played Wembley, I wouldn’t have met Jack
and I wouldn’t be as happy as I am, especially in my personal life. I left not because of a
split between me and Myleene (Klass – as was reported in the press) but because I was
having a lot of personal problems with regard to the children (David and Emily, now eight
and six respectively – she doesn’t want to talk about the specifics). I always said that if
anything stopped me from having a relationship with my kids, I’d have to leave and that’s
what I did. It was a horrible time.’
How did the very public scrutiny of your weight during Hear’Say affect you?
‘It was difficult and I think had I not been as strong as I was at that point, I could quite
easily have gone and stuck my fingers down my throat. If someone’s had an eating
disorder in their life, the last thing you should say to them is that they’re fat. I had put on
a little bit of weight, but I was a 12 at that point. The average size is 14 to 16 anyway!’
When did you have an eating disorder and how did you overcome it?
‘Luckily I woke up and realised what I was doing was wrong and I stopped it without going
to a clinic or anything. It was pretty rough. I was in a dance and drama school for a tear
when I was 16 and everybody was so skinny. All these dancers around me would live off
crispbread and you could see their hip bones coming through their leotards. I just felt fat
so I thought, I know, I’ve heard about this (making yourself sick) and I know it’s wrong but
hey, I’m going to do it. It got to the point where I was eating and then actually feeling like I
was going to throw up. Thank God I woke up and realised it was wrong. There is such
thing as too thin and a lot of people don’t realise that. I think men actually prefer you to
have a little bit of something. Look at me, it never did me any harm! I bagged Jack Ryder
so there you go.’
How soon after meeting Jack did you know he was the one for you?
‘I fell in love with him instantly and it was only a few weeks before we both said I love you.
We just got on so well, it wasn’t hard. There were no awkward silences, I didn’t have to be
anyone else, just me. He loved who I was, he loved the fact that I had kids, he liked me the
size I was and he was very romantic. He was only 19 when I met him and I worried he
might be too young for me – but if you speak to Jack you realise he’s a very mature
person and he has no desire to be an average 21 year old. He doesn’t drink because he
just doesn’t like it, he doesn’t do drugs and he doesn’t go clubbing. He wants to be in love
with the woman who loves him back and have kids and be happy. That’s what he wants,
that’s what he’s got so he’s very content.’
Was it a surprise the relationship got serious so quickly?
‘Yes. I wasn’t looking for a relationship but was glad that I found one because it was
something I needed. I didn’t have my family with me either at that time (when she was
with Hear’Say) so it was nice to have someone who loved and supported me in my
career. I ran everything I did past him – all the music ad anything I’d written – because
he told me what he really thought of it.’
Did you help him decide to leave EastEnders?
‘It was completely his decision. The time was right for him. We both had a dream and his
was to be a great film actor and mine was to be a successful solo artist who’s taken
seriously and who people give a chance. I think hopefully we could both achieve that.’
Were you a fan of his before you met?
‘Well I knew who he was. I did watch EastEnders but I’m more of a Coronation Street fan
to be honest! I love it! I’d love a part in it… no I’m just kidding. I did like EastEnders – he
was obviously my favourite character and I had a bit of a crush on him so I knew who he
was and it was exciting to meet him.’
You met in May 2001 and by Christmas you were engaged. How did Jack
propose?
‘We’d had a really silly tiff. I went to work and kept phoning him throughout the day but he
was being really cold. I was thinking: “What’s he being like that for, the big baby?” Finally I
rang him, said I was coming back and was like: “What, now? Well, I might be out ring me
when you’re ten minutes away and I’ll leave the keys for you.” So I’m thinking: “How horrible
is this boy?” When I got home, I opened the door and there was a note in the hallway
telling me to press play on the video camera in the front room. I pressed play and there’s
Jack on the screen going: “You’re back early, aren’t you? Never mind Go and look under
the covers on the bed.” I expected him to be there naked or something! Instead there
was a coat and a scarf and a torch and a letter. The letter said, “Put all of these on, it
might be cold where you’re going. This is the first of your clues.” It told me to go to the ivy
on the wall outside. There was another letter saying I had to go to a certain tree and find
a box. So I found the box and there’s a ring box and another letter inside that said: “Well,
what are you waiting for?” I opened the ring box and there was another letter that read:
“This is getting interesting, ha ha ha!! PS Look over to the tennis courts”. (We lived in a
complex of flats at the time.) Anyway, I looked over and he’s there with the ring then he
got down on his knee in the mud!’
Lots of celeb couples have split because of the pressure of being together and
being famous. Does it affect you?
‘People will be waiting a long time for us. This couple isn’t splitting up! I think there is a
certain amount of pressure but if you’re genuinely in love that doesn’t become an issue.
We’re just a normal couple when we’re together. Tonight I’ll go home, we’ll eat as a family,
I’ll bath the children and read them a story. Or we’ll play with them or watch a DVD as a
family. then I’ll put them to bed and Jack and I will unwind a bit and have some time
chatting about what we’ve done all day. I’m very busy at the moment so when I get a
chance, I like to just sit down with the family. That’s really important. That’s it. I could live
next door to you, I’m so normal. I don’t go and spend loads of money on Prada and Gucci
or whatever. I wear high street clothes, I have an average house and a normal family and I’
m very proud of it.’
Where do you like to shop?
‘I really wish I went to places that sound really posh. I went to Selfridges the other day
which was very posh for me! I love Stella McCartney’s clothes. She’s great but I’m more
of a Topshop girl to tell you the truth. I like high street shops. I love Topshop, Karen
Millen, Oasis, Levi, Diesel… That’s the sort of stuff I wear because that’s what I wore
before (I was famous) so I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t wear things I was
comfortable in.’
What was your last big extravagance?
‘My car. A red Audi TT. It has a beautiful suede and leather interior. That’s the biggest
thing I’ve spent my money on but that was extravagant. I treat the children too. I like
spending money on others too as family and friends make you feel rich. That’s my biggest
downfall. I go out and spend so much money but have nothing to show for it cos I’m like:
“Have that! Have that!” My account’s going: “No, no!” I’m an ordinary Lancashire lass who
lives ordinary simple things and doesn’t need big flashy diamonds – although I have one
now!’