Born Kimberley Gail Marsh in Whiston, Knowsley, Merseyside, England, on 13 June 1976, Kym is an English actress and singer who grew up in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester. She first became famous in 2001 after appearing as a contestant on ITV's talent show Popstars and currently plays Michelle Connor in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street, which she has played since 2006.
In 2001 Popstars was on the lookout for five girls, or boys, to be part of a group, that would go on to try and make it big in the charts. Kym was one of the lucky ones who impressed judges with her vocal talent.
After becoming one of the chosen five for the group that became Hear'Say, she and fellow group mates were moved into a mansion, in preparation for the single and album launch. Whilst auditioning for the group, she kept it a secret that she had two children, David and Emily, who were then aged 5 and 3. She became particularly noticeable when she became angry and emotional when one judge, Nigel Lythgoe, advised her to lose weight. Cursing and crying, Marsh refused to be judged, but became popular with the public.
Hear'Say hit the #1 spot in the UK with debut single Pure & Simple and also with their debut album Popstars. Popstars went on to sell 1.2 million copies in the UK, followed by their own television show entitled Hear'say It's Saturday, performing with established artists such as Lionel Richie, Joe Pasquale, Bradley Walsh, Blue and Atomic Kitten. Subsequently the band achieved a 37 date sell-out arena tour and performed numerous television guest appearances.
However, the media were quick to savage the group, and scrutinise their every move. The band enjoyed one more single before tensions started to emerge.
First came reports of Marsh, and fellow bandmate Myleene Klass clashing, and having vicious spats in the street. One tabloid headline read that Kym actually punched Myleene. All reports were denied on both sides, although it was clear that the group were unhappy. After they released an unsuccessful second album, Kym broke news that she was leaving the band.
After a while out of the spotlight, Kym emerged again, signing a solo record deal with Island Records. Her first single, Cry, went to #2 in the UK singles chart, whilst her 2nd single Come On Over made #10.
In July of 2003 Kym released her debut solo album which contained her three solo singles and twelve other tracks.
Kym's 'make-or-break' 3rd single, Sentimental, stalled at #35 resulting in her being dropped by her record label. Kym has since expressed her unhappiness whilst she was in the music industry.
In a surprise move in early 2006, she entered Making Your Mind Up, the UK show to pick a singer and song for the Eurovision Song Contest with a song called "Whisper To Me". Kym came fourth in the contest, losing out to the winner Daz Sampson.
From July 2004 to February 2005, Marsh played "Annette" in the hit West End musical Saturday Night Fever at the Apollo Victoria Theatre to much critical acclaim, The Guardian calling her 'sparkling'. In November 2005, Ryder re-joined the musical during it's UK tour with a short run of performances at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
In 2005, Ryder became a presenter on ITV's Loose Women, appeared in an episode of Doctors playing "Ruth Parry" for the BBC and played "Jill" in the Christmas Pantomime Mother Goose opposite Jonathan Wilkes in Stoke-on-Trent. In 2006 Ryder appeared in an episode of Holby City playing "Myrna Morrison" and the recurring role of "Kay" in the Hollyoaks spin-off series Hollyoaks: In the City which was screened on E4.
Ryder joined Coronation Street, as young singer and barmaid Michelle Connor, who sang with Vernon Tomlin's band. She sparked up a quick rivalry with Liz McDonald. Initially appearing early in 2006, she rejoined the soap as a regular character in July 2006, as the programme introduced the character's family. She has continued with her successful role, and her acting talents have been shown clearly.
Kym married former EastEnders actor Jack Ryder on 10th August 2002 and, after settling in St Albans, the couple had early difficulties and split for a short while before reconciling. In light of her regular roles in north-west-produced dramas, while Jack generally tours in theatre, the couple moved to Manchester and closer to Kym's family in 2005.
Kym has two children, David aged 12 and Emily aged 10, from a previous relationship with Dave Cunliffe.
Kym and Jack and the children now live at Appleton Thorn, Warrington.
