The budding actress reveals the latest on Jack's devastating illness and rules out a
return to music.
There's something different about Kym Marsh. Could it be that she's simply glowing after
a successful run on stage in Saturday Night Fever? Or is it because she's super slim and
sporting a lovely new hairstyle? Yep, the singer has just had extensions and can't stop
touching them. 'I love them!' she coos. 'My hair was so short before!'

So, to unveil her new look, OK! decided to do a glam fashion shoot with Kym, who lives in St
Albans with hubby Jack Ryder - soon to star in Five's Family Affairs - and her children,
David, ten, and seven-year-old Emily. Kym, 29, reveals it's been a busy few months as she
chats about her new locks, treading the boards, her love of music and starting her guest
role in BBC1's daytime soap Doctors, the exciting new developments in her acting
career...

Your hair extensions look fabulous!
I love them! Iv'e had a bit of an image revamp for this shoot. I'm always doing things with
my hair. Once I went blonde and it looked so bad they cancelled the shoot. I looked like
that weird fan character from The Bodyguard! I love my hair now, I can straighten it and
dry it and everything.What does Jack think about the extensions?He loves them too!So
he prefers you with long hair?I think he likes a bit of both, long and short!

How is Jack?
To be honest, he's been a little bit poorly [Jack lost 5 stone at the begining of the year due
to dairy intolerance, as revealed in OK!] but he's back to normal, and he's been training
hard. He's lost a lot of weight lately - he looks like he did in the Eastenders days, but with a
different haircut. He's really happy, he's in a good place right now. He's really into his
American life coach, Anthony Robbins, who does these CD's all about changing your life
and becoming more positive and focused.

It was recently David's birthday. It seems unbelievable that he's now ten...
I know and it scares the life out of me. He's at the age now where he's starting to come
out of himself - he's very charming. He's starting to show an interest in girls too, which
frightens me! You mention boys to Emily and she says: 'They smell!'

Did David have a birthday party?
We had a bowling party with ten of his friends from school. We had a Simpsons cake
made for him because he loves The Simpsons. Emily was there too - he always tries to
involve his sister.

Are they very close?
Yeah, David is very protective of her. It's such a nice thing for them both.

What have you been up to since we last saw you?
I was doing Saturday Night Fever but I finished in January and then I had a bit of a rest
because it was six months of madness. I had one day off a week and that was a sunday -
we did eight shows a week. Now I'm about to go back into things again. I'm trying to make
a transition into acting. I've had a few interesting meetings with people but nothings set in
stone as yet. I'm aware it's going to take time and that I have to prove what I can do.

The critics were very good to you...
I was really pleased about that, it was better than I could have hoped for. I know that
people were probably sitting there with there arms folded, saying: 'Well come on then,
show us what you can do!'

What about a return to theatre?
Something in the WEst End would be great. I've actually had to turn down a couple of
touring musicalls because they were so long. They were six month tours and I can't be
away from the kids for that amount of time. Even three months away is too long.

Do you miss treading the boards?
I really do. It was one of the best experiences of my life. It took me to a whole new area
really and definitely gave ma a passion for acting as well. It was odd going from eight
shows a week to nothing though. I cried for days! It's like you get very precious about your
own part and its weird when someone else takes it over and is hanging out with your
friends every day and having the fun you had!

What did you do with yourself on your first few days off?
It was the weirdest thing not having to go to work anymore, not getting up and having to
make that journey into London everyday. My body went into total shutdown and I felt ill for
a few days. When you have a busy lifestyle, your body works on adrenaline.

Do you see your friends from the show?
Yeah, I made a lot of good friends who I've kept in touch with and I've been out with them a
couple of times since. It's really nice to know that even though you,ve left, you haven't been
forgotten. I'm good friends with the girl who dressed me on the show, Katie, and the girl
who did hair, Helen, and we go out together.

What kind of acting do you want to do?
I'd love to do some more TV work and more theatre. I just want to get my experience up
and who knows, I could move on to other stuff.

What's happening with the musical side of things?
Well first and foremost I love my music - it's what I'm about and who I am. But things are
hard, especially in the music industry and for people returning to it. It's a tough industry.

How many time did David and Emily come and see you on stage?
David came about 5 or 6 times, but Emily came 32 times in all! I ended up spending all my
wages on Emily coming to see the show! She would come along and help the wardrobe
girls stick diamante on all the dresses. On her seventh birthday she came to the theatre
and the cast sang Happy Birthday to her and bought her a present - it was so lovely.

Has she got the performing bug too?
She's definitely musical. I would never push her but I would encourage her. I think it's
important if she has a dream she should follow it.

Despite yours and Jack's jobs, is life pretty normal for David and Emily?
Absolutely. This morning I packed their lunches and brushed Emily's hair. I have to get
their swimming stuff ready for nights when they swim and Emily's stuff for dancing class.
They have their friends round for tea and stuff - I wouldn't want it any other way