KYM MARSH CELEBRATES 13 YEARS ON Corrie AND OK! EXCLUSIVELY JOINS THE PARTY
‘CORONATION STREET’ STAR KYM MARSH TELLS ok!’s ANNABEL ZAMMIT ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING HER 13-YEAR STINT ON THE SHOW AND WHY SHE GOT TEARY ON THE NIGHT
After 13 and a half years on Coronation Street, it was time for Kym Marsh to say ‘ta-ra, chuck’ to Michelle Connor at a glamorous leaving party. The actress, who has touched the hearts of the nation for playing the feisty barmaid turned restaurant manager, was joined by many of her co-stars, crew, friends and family for the black and gold-themed bash in the penthouse of Manchester’s Great John Street Hotel.
‘I’m so overwhelmed by how many people have shown up – it means a lot to me,’ a smiling Kym told OK! as we exclusively joined her to celebrate.
The party took place the week before Kym filmed her final scenes as Michelle and her character is in for a heartbreaking couple of months, kicking off this week when she finds out her on-screen fiancé Robert Preston [played by Tristan Gemmill] has been cheating on her.
‘Playing Michelle has been a roller coaster of emotions but I’ve loved every second,’ says Kym.
It wouldn’t have been a party for the former Hear’say singer – who wore a sequinned Maje dress – without her taking to the mic. Kym got the party started by singing a number of songs, including a duet of Dusty Springfield’s
Son Of A Preacher Man with her daughter Emilie.
It wasn’t long before Jane Danson joined the duo, along with Antony Cotton’s partner Peter Eccleston for a rendition of the Hear’say hit Pure And Simple.
With the party under way and guests – including Samia Longchambon, Alison King, Tina O’brien and Jack P Shepherd all sipping fizz and eating Betty’s Lancashire hotpot – Kym was surprised with an impressive five-tier
Corrie-themed leaving cake.
Video messages from her co-stars were also played, including one from
Simon Gregson. ‘I’m going to miss the s**t out of you because we’ve had some fun!’ he said.
Last to appear on the video was Kym’s boyfriend of 18 months, Scott Ratcliff, who surprised Kym with a secret message. Currently out of the country on a military tour for six months, he said: ‘I love you from the bottom of my heart, I miss you every second of every day and I can’t wait to be back home with you.’
A visibly upset Kym took to the mic to thank her co-stars and the crew, with a special mention to her on-screen fiancé Tristan, who is also leaving the show, and Alison King, who has become her best friend over the years.
Ali, who was at the party with her fiancé David Stuckley, later told OK! ‘Kym’s like a sister to me. We’ve shared so many milestones together on and off screen. She brings the fun to set and I’ll miss our scenes together, but most of all just seeing her every day.’
Ali continued: ‘She’s a very talented lady and Corrie won’t be the same without her. Her leaving do was a testament to how much she is loved. I hope she comes back to us one day!’
Here, Kym talks to OK! about how Coronation Street has shaped her life and her plans as she leaves the cobbles of Weatherfield behind…
Your leaving party was a lot of fun...
It was! I was so touched by how many of the cast and crew turned up. Corrie is my second family, so it was an emotional night and everyone went to such trouble. My Corrie-themed cake was incredible. It was so big that my friends had to bring it home the next day and I’ve been feeding everyone cake since! The video of some of my best bits was amazing, too.
You were teary after watching the montage of your best bits which also featured a message from your boyfriend Scott…
I was so emotional. I didn’t have a clue Scott was recording a message. It made me cry!
You shot your final scene last Friday [see Kym’s column on page 43]. How do you feel about leaving?
My final scenes were actually a week after my party as I wasn’t sure exactly when I’d finish. I was in tears after filming my last scene – I’ll miss my Corrie family so much. Michelle goes
out with a bang and there’s a lot of emotion, so watch this space! The show has been such a huge part of my life and I feel sad, nervous and excited about leaving. I went in as Kym from Hear’say knowing very little about the acting game and I’ve come out the other side having learnt so much.
How did you first feel when you landed the role?
It was always my dream to work at Corrie. The show was on in our house when I was growing up. When I first landed the part, it was only meant to be for four episodes, but then I got a phone call one evening when I was cooking dinner saying they wanted me back more permanently and it was the best news ever. Corrie took a chance on me as there’s some cynicism about singers going into acting, but they gave me a really fantastic opportunity.
What was your first day on set like?
My first scenes were with Beverley Callard and I
remember being very nervous. It was the best feeling ever being around people I’d watched on TV for so many years, but it was also scary. Bev took me under her wing – she was good to me.
Do you feel like a different person to the one who joined the soap all those years ago?
Yes. I was 30 years old when I joined and I’ve done a lot of growing up in that time and my life has changed a lot. It’s been a hell of a journey and I think I’ve grown up and I appreciate things a lot more now. Corrie’s been an education for me.
What’s been your highlight on the show?
Learning so much while being able to go to work with people I love as much as I do each day. I’ve had so many laughs and there’s a real camaraderie on the show. I’ve also been trusted with fantastic storylines. I’ve had an absolute ball and I’m going to miss it so much.
Are you glad they’ve left the door open for you and haven’t killed Michelle off?
I’m thrilled. It means a lot to me. I’ve had so much fun playing her and it would be a shame if she could never return.
You’ve been through some hard times personally while on the show. Has Corrie been a safety net at times?
Absolutely. When you go through bad times, you still have to go into work as life goes on. When I lost Archie [Kym’s son who died moments after he was born prematurely at 21 weeks in 2009], I took some time off, but when I went back, the cast and crew were the people I relied on. They still know to hug me on Archie’s birthday. I’ve made so many friends I love and cherish. We’ve always had each other’s backs.
The hardest storyline you’ve done was Michelle’s baby loss. Did that affect you after your own experience?
I had a therapist on set throughout the filming of the baby loss storyline. With hindsight I should have had some therapy when I lost Archie. I’d been packing things away in a box in my mind and I didn’t know what would happen when I took the lid off. As difficult as the storyline was, the therapy I had at Corrie helped me realise I’d accepted Archie’s death. At the end of the filming, my therapist told me he thought I’d accepted what had happened to me, as I wouldn’t have been able to film the scenes otherwise. Of course, there are days when I can’t stop crying and I do sometimes wonder if I have got a handle on it, but to know a professional thought I had pleased me. I’m never
‘I’VE BEEN UNLUCKY IN LOVE – BUT IT ISN’T FOR WANT OF TRYING’
going to get over Archie, but I’m not harbouring any damaging emotion either. Yourself and Emilie sang Snow Patrol’s
Chasing Cars at the party in dedication to Archie…
It’s Archie’s song and we played it at his funeral and whenever it comes on we’re all very much reminded of him. Emilie wanted to sing it on the night, which was lovely.
And Jane Danson joined you for a rendition of Hear’say’s Pure And Simple…
We’d had a few to drink by then! I can’t hold a tune when I’ve had a drink but I think we got away with it [laughs].
In his video message on the night, Scott said he loves you and misses you every second of every day. You seem very happy. How’s your relationship? It’s great to know I’m with someone who loves me as much as he does and he supports me in everything I do.
I’ve been unlucky in love. I’ve wanted to have a loving relationship and the kind of relationship my mum and dad have. I’ve always wanted to settle down, but unfortunately the men I’ve met along the way haven’t been the right ones, but it hasn’t been for want of trying! So, I feel very lucky to have met Scott.
Is marriage on the cards?
Like I’ve always said, never say never. We’re very happy but it’s not something I’m thinking about right now.
Aside from presenting and appearing in Elf: A Christmas Spectacular, what else would you like to do next career-wise?
I’d like to do some drama, a film and also some straight plays, as well as some more presenting. I’m quite open at the moment, so I’ll just have to see what comes up. I’d like a challenge! I’m just not keen on doing any reality TV quite yet.
Would you reignite your singing career?
It’s probably not something I’d do, as I don’t see myself in the pop world any more. I’ve been there and done that. I would like to do another musical though.
Are you going to have some time off?
I’ve got a couple of weeks between now and when I start rehearsals for Elf: A Christmas Spectacular and I might try and go on holiday. Although it might be more stressful trying to organise something, so I may just stay home and hang out with my Polly and Teddy [Kym’s grandson].
Jamie Lomas [Kym’s former husband] came to the party to pick Polly up. The pair of you seem to have a good relationship now...
We do. Jamie’s supportive and we’re good friends now. He came to collect Polly a few hours into the party so that I could let my hair down, but she didn’t want to go! The only way she’d go is if I gave her one of my bracelets to wear!
Who will you stay in touch with?
A fair few people, including Ali [King], Antony [Cotton], Simon [Gregson], who couldn’t come to my party as he was away with his family. Plus, my on-screen sons, James [Burrows] and Ryan [Prescott]. It will be particularly hard leaving Ali as she’s become like a sister. We will see each other regularly but it
won’t be the same as we’re used to seeing each other most days at work. We even share a dressing room. We’ve always had each other’s backs at work.
You’ve played Michelle Connor for a long time. Do you worry about feeling a bit lost after leaving her behind? I’ve loved playing Michelle and it’s never been boring! But while Corrie’s been a big part of my life, it’s not who I am. I’ve had a great time playing Michelle, but I’m sure I’ll have a great life after. I’ll miss the people I work with though, and the character.
But will you miss doing Michelle’s eyeliner flicks every day?
No! I’ve personally drawn them on every day I’ve been on set for over 13 years. That eyeliner wand is going straight in the bin as I walk off those cobbles [laughs].
STOCKISTS: WITH THANKS TO GREAT JOHN STREET HOTEL WWW. ECLECTICHOTELS.CO.UK/GREAT-JOHN-STREET/ FOR VENUE; EVENT ART BY DESIGN EVENTARTBYDESIGN.COM FOR KYM’S LEAVING BOARD AND DECORATIONS AND WALTER AND THE BOY WALTERANDTHEBOY.CO.UK FOR THE BALLOONS; RED BUTTERFLY BAKERY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ REDBUTTERFLYBAKERY FOR THE CAKE.
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