Kelle Bryan: ‘I put on weight so much quicker now!’
Loose Women panellist and Hollyoaks star Kelle Bryan tells Woman’s Own why she’s been conscious of her body since her teen years in Eternal
Kelle Bryan has been in the spotlight since she was just 18 years old, singing alongside Louise Redknapp in girl group Eternal – and recently admitted to taking laxatives during that era because she was told she was ‘the fat one’.
Now 45, and a mother to son, Regan, eight, and six-year-old daughter, Kayori, who she shares with husband Jay Gudgeon, Kelle opens up to Woman’s Own about how she still worries about her weight.
Being on TV most days as a Loose Women panellist and playing Martine Deveraux on Hollyoaks, Kelle says it’s the pressure of the small screen that makes her feel self-conscious.
But thankfully, she’s much healthier about it these days, as she tells us how
she worries about her own children growing up with social media, plus why she’s enjoying having Richard Blackwood as her co-star…
Hi, Kelle! How have you been coping with lockdown?
You know what, it’s really good. I don’t ever get a chance to spend as much time as I am with my children. So, for me, it’s fantastic, just getting to have some quality time with them where I’m not rushing off.
Richard Blackwood has recently come into Hollyoaks as the father of your character Martine’s estranged triplets. What’s it been like working with him?
I’ve known him for about 20 years – we’ve been good friends for a long time and worked together before, so once I knew he was coming into the show, I was so excited. It’s been amazing. He’s so much fun on and off-screen, he just makes me crack up. Also, because of the length of time that we’ve known each other and our relationship off-screen, there are pretty much no boundaries. I can just go for it if it’s an intimate scene, whereas it would be really embarrassing with some people.
How similar are you to Martine?
We’re both quite fiery, but her fuse is definitely shorter than mine. I’m really patient – I don’t go very often but when I do, oh my days, you'd better just give me a good, wide berth for a good week! But Martine kicks off a lot sooner than me and she’s got a bit more sass than me. Also, she married her sister’s ex-husband and I wouldn’t do that!
Do you feel there’s a pressure to look a certain way, being on TV every day?
Yeah, there’s a lot of pressure. I grew up in an era, in a band, where there was a tremendous amount of pressure. It was all about being size zero and ultra slim. And obviously, things have changed a lot since then. But, as a woman in her 40s, I still feel that pressure. I’m still working out every day, I’m still watching my weight. As soon as lockdown is over, I’m going to be back on camera and there’s no hiding anything. But God, you do just put on the weight so much quicker than you would if you were a bit younger.
Do you worry about your children growing up because of that pressure?
Definitely. They don’t have phones or their own access to the internet and I’ve got blockers on their tablets and twohour limits. I’m really guarded about what the children watch. For example, Kayori’s become obsessed with Barbie and I never really let her watch it before because, predominantly, [the characters in the show are] white and they don’t really have a black character, and I don’t want her to feel like she’s not represented. Also, Barbie alludes to this perfection which doesn’t exist.
And, finally, what are you most looking forward to after lockdown is over?
To see my mum and give her a big cuddle! We spent Mother’s Day together and had the most amazing day. Our spa day got cancelled, so the kids and I made her a makeshift one, put her in a chair and gave her a mini manicure, facial, pedicure, and I’m so glad we did it because at least we had that to hang onto.
● Hollyoaks airs Monday and Tuesday, Channel 4, 6.30pm and on E4, 7pm, and Hollyoaks Favourites is on Wednesday to Friday, E4, 7pm