Acting means I can stop worrying about my weight
Kym Ryder used to be Kym Marsh of Hear'Say. Now she's behind the most famous bar on TV
Kym Ryder has ditched her career as a pop star, put her baby plans on hold and is heading up North with her husband, former EastEnders star Jack Ryder and two children, David, 11, and Emily, eight, to pull pints permanently at the Rovers Return. In
between filming her latest scenes in Coronation Street
as Steve McDonald's new love interest and packing moving boxes, Kym found time to speak to woman about her new life as a soap star.
Congratulations on becoming the Street's new barmaid, Michelle Connor!
It's a bit scary, and a tall order to live up to! But they've made me feel so welcome, and Bev Callard (Liz) has taken me under her wing, which helps!
Were you hoping to be asked back after your two-week stint earlier this year?
I tried not to think about it, because when you badly want things to happen, they rarely do. I was in the middle of cooking dinner when I got the news. I just screamed, left the dinner, and we all went out for a meal to celebrate!
Michelle started in Corrie as a singer, will you be doing much of that in the show?
We might see her sing a couple of times. But as far as recording is concerned in my real life, that's been put on the shelf: My heart's in acting now, though I'll never say never!
Were you a Corrie fan?
A huge fan. Being Northern, it's something that my mum Pauline always had on the telly. She was so thrilled she nearly exploded when I told her I was in it! I couldn't believe I was standing with Liz McDonald behind the bar, chatting to Betty and serving Norris and Rita. I thought: `Oh my God!'
How similar are you to Michelle?
Like her, I was a teenage mum, except that I was 18 when I had David, and she was only 15 when she had Ryan. Plus she's a strong individual who speaks her mind, and I'm the same!
How were those days as a teenage mum?
It was a very different life, but I enjoyed it because I'd never known any different. I was living on benefits and it was tough only having a couple of quid left after you'd paid off your bills. The other night I was sitting on my son's bed and he reminded me of the
house we used to live in where the ants came in. Now he appreciates everything he has, like his lovely room, and that's when I think everything I've done has been so worthwhile. Now I can give my children such a decent start in life.
Are you and lack ready to have a baby?
We're both at that stage where we do want one. But at no point in the script
does it say that Michelle gets pregnant, so we'll go for it when the time is right!
On Popstars, a judge called you 'fat' live on TV. Is there less pressure on you to be skinny now you're acting?
Yes, it's a lot less pressure. As a singer, everything you do, or wear, every hairstyle.. .it's all down to you personally and your image. Now, I'm my character, not me, thankfully.
Is there too much emphasis on weight these days?
We're all so focused on people's body image, and a lot of celebrities are taking it too far. I worry because I don't want my own daughter to go down that road. One of the reasons I suffered from bulimia at 15 was that at stage school everyone was so skinny, and it seemed the skinnier you were, the more beautiful you were. I didn't see the dangers at the time. But it got to the point when I didn't have to make myself sick any more, it just happened. That's when I got scared and wanted to change it.
How do you stay slim?
I’m now what you call a perfect size 9, between 8 and 10. I don’t eat faddy diets, and work out at least once a week.
You used to have panic attacks. Do you still get them?
Yes, but I've learnt to cope. I saw a life coach for a TV show in September called A Life
Coach Less Ordinary (UK TVStyle), and they really did help. They said I'd seen a lot of death in my family over the years - grandparents, aunties, uncles, you name it. I lost my grandad when I was 13, and it knocked me sideways. They thought I had a bit of a phobia about death. And when I'm having a panic attack, I think I'm dying.
How difficult has it been living in the spotlight?
Getting on to Popstars and then into Hear'Say changed my life, it was like a fairytale. But the cold reality of fame is harder than everybody thinks - having to spend so much time away from my children, which is the main reason I left the band, finding out who your real friends are, and people doing nasty stories on you. Jack and I stay away from the spotlight now. But this is the best time of my life. I never dreamt I would be this lucky.