‘I was terrified about doing intimate scenes’
Actress and presenter Kym Marsh chats about her most challenging role yet in Fatal Attraction and how her recent wedding inspired two engagements close to home
When we catch up with Kym Marsh, it’s clear she’s on top form – both personally and professionally. Fresh from her honeymoon in Grenada with Scott Ratcliff, 33, a major in the army, she’s excited about the year ahead. Not only is she enjoying married life – the couple tied the knot in an emotional ceremony at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in October – but her career is flying high too.
As well as presenting BBC One’s Morning Live and For Love Or Money, Kym, 45, has hit the road for a UK tour of the Fatal Attraction stage production. Kym plays spurned lover Alex Forrest, the role made famous by Glenn Close in the 1987 movie. She is also “thrilled” to start filming in Manchester again, as she joins the new series of Waterloo Road.
Here, Kym, who is mum to David, 26, Emilie, 24, and Polly,
10, talks about sex scenes, wedding planning and returning to Corrie as Michelle Connor…
Hi, Kym! How is married life?
It’s been really good. But life had to go back to normal straight away as Scott had to go away and we didn’t have time to go on honeymoon. We had two days together and that was it, so it was nice to go to the Caribbean recently just to get that time to celebrate the fact that we’re actually married and I’m Mrs Ratcliff. It feels like it’s only just sunk in.
Did you have a good time?
It was amazing. We stayed at the Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa and had a fabulous time.
Does being married make you feel any different? Both your son and your daughter got engaged last year…
I’m delighted. It made me feel very old, but I’d been feeling that way for a while after becoming a grandma in my forties.
Do you think your wedding inspired the proposals?
David had been planning to do it for a while, but with Emilie and her partner Mikey, it did. It wasn’t necessarily on the agenda for them and then once everyone came to the wedding I think Mikey was inspired. He asked my permission and her dad’s. I’m just glad they’re both settled and happy, but I think there may be more grandchildren first.
Oh really?
It feels like it’s set us in stone and given us that commitment to each other, which is something we’ve both wanted for quite some time. Life feels easy with us in the sense that there never seems to be a problem we can’t overcome and we don’t really argue. We’re very happy.
Yes! [Her grandson] Teddy is almost three and I think Emilie would like to have another so they’re close in age. If they saved up to get married it would mean Teddy was nearly five before they had another and she doesn’t want that age gap. I reckon David and Courtney will be looking to start a family first, too. I’m going to look at a wedding venue with Emilie and Mikey.They’re keen to get something booked in for the future.
It looks like you’ve got a busy year ahead of you…
Yes! I’ve started Fatal Attraction and I’ll still be keeping my hand in with Morning Live, plus I’ve got several other projects going on.There are a few things bubbling at the moment.
Tell us more about Fatal Attraction. Is it good to be playing a very different character to Michelle?
Definitely. When I left Corrie it was because I wanted to do other things and take on some new challenges, which I have with presenting. But with my acting I hadn’t done that yet, so I’ve been looking forward to playing this role. Alex is a very complex character. It’s an interesting one to play and a dream role for me.
How have you been feeling about doing the intimate scenes?
Oh, I was terrified. I’ve been in the acting
‘I have no doubt I’ll go back to Coronation Street at some point’
game for a long time now and this is something I’d never done. It’s a challenge in itself – but it’s not real. It’s just another side to the part I’m playing. Obviously, taking some clothes off on stage is quite daunting, but it’ll be alright. I’ll just keep getting in that gym.
Ex-Coronation actor Oliver Farnworth plays Dan Gallagher. Has it been nice to have a familiar face around?
Street
Yes, we knew each other from Corrie, but didn’t really get to work together much. It has been nice that we were familiar with each other going into the play.
Would you be open to reprising your role as Michelle?
Yeah, possibly. I love Coronation Street. It’s where I started and it gave me the biggest part of my career. I made wonderful friends and I loved the character of Michelle, so I’ve no doubt I’ll go back at some point – as long as they don’t kill me off off-screen!
Did you watch your former Corrie co-star Simon Gregson on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!?
I did. I was on honeymoon when the final was on, but I was rooting for him all the way.
Are you tempted to take part?
No! Not in the slightest. It’s not for me.
What Strictly?
about
Strictly might be one that I would be interested in. Because you’re learning a skill and it’s something new, it would be a good one to do.
Have you enjoyed presenting?
Yes. It’s not a path I thought I’d go down, but it’s something I’ve grown to love. When they came to me with Morning Live, I said,“Really? Me? Why?” I was confused – but so grateful to be given the opportunity.
Kym is appearing in until 5 March. For venues and tickets, see fatalattractionplay.com. For more information on Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa and Sandals Resorts, visit sandals.co.uk or call 0800 597 0002