When we catch up with Kym Marsh, it’s clear she’s on top form, both in her personal and professional life.
Fresh from her honeymoon in Grenada with her new husband, Scott Ratcliff, who is a major in the army, she’s looking forward to the year ahead.
The newlyweds tied the knot in October during an emotional ceremony at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the former Hear’Say singer says married life has been “really good”.
“It was nice to just get that time to celebrate the fact that we were actually married,” she says of their romantic break away.
Professionally, Kym, 45, has a lot to look forward to in 2022. Not only will the actress be busy presenting BBC ’s Morning Live and For Love Or Money, but she has also hit the road on the UK tour of the stage adaptation of cult film Fatal Attraction playing spurned lover Alex Forrest.
While she admits she’s nervous about taking to the stage in the part made famous by Glenn Close in the 1987 film, Kym is also relishing the challenge. “I’m absolutely terrified,” she says, “but when I left Corrie it was because I wanted to try some new challenges and this is a role I’ve wished for for a long time.”
Here, Kym, who is mum to David, 26, Emilie, 24, and Polly, 10, opens up about Fatal Attraction’s sex scenes, wedding planning for her children and reprising her role as Corrie’s Michelle Connor…
Hi, Kym. How has married life been so far?
It’s been really good. But life had to go back to normal straight away after the wedding as Scott had to go away and we didn’t have time to go on honeymoon. We had two days together and then that was it, so it was nice to just get that time to celebrate the fact that we were actually married and I’m Mrs Ratcliff.
Check me out! It feels like it’s only just sunk in. It was also lovely to reflect on the wedding too, as life has been so busy since.
Did you and Scott have a good honeymoon?
It was amazing. I wish we were still there! We had a fabulous time. We stayed at the Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa. It was so nice to have some quality time together.
Does being married feel any different?
The thing that has changed for me is that 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 that we can’t overcome and we don’t really argue. We’re very happy.
And your daughter Emilie and son David both got engaged in November…
Within a couple of weeks of each other. I’m absolutely delighted. The kids are all grown up. It made me feel very old, but I’d been feeling that way for a while after becoming a grandma in my forties. I said I wanted to be called “Lolly”, but my grandson Teddy calls me “Yaya”, so that’s become my name.
Did your wedding inspire them to propose?
David had been planning to do it for a while and I was in on it, but with Emilie and her partner Mikey it actually did. It wasn’t necessarily on the agenda for them and then once everyone came to the wedding I think Mikey was inspired by the whole thing and he said, “I love her and I don’t know why I’ve not asked her before – I want her to marry me.”
He asked my permission and her dad’s. It was a huge surprise for Emilie on her birthday and Courtney [David’s fiancée] on her birthday, too. I’m just glad they’re both settled and happy, but I think there may be more grandchildren first before they get married.
Oh really?
Yes! Teddy is almost three and I think Emilie would like to have another so that 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, so I have a feeling it’s more grandchildren first. I reckon David and Courtney will be looking to start a family first, too. I am going to look at a wedding venue with Emilie and Mikey, which is exciting. They’re keen to get something booked in for the future.
As well as wedding planning, professionally, you have a very busy year ahead of you…
Yes! I’ve just started Fatal Attraction and I’ll still be keeping my hand in with Morning Live, plus I’ve several other projects going on. There are a few things bubbling at the moment, including a few acting jobs in the pipeline that I’d love to get, but
I can’t talk about them just yet.
Tell us more about Fatal Attraction. You play Alex Forrest – is it nice to take on a completely different character from Michelle Connor?
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 do you feel about the intimate scenes?
Oh I’m terrified, absolutely terrified. This is something I’ve never actually done – it’s going to be a challenge in itself. But I think once I’ve done it once it will be fine. And it’s not real. It’s just another side to the part I’m playing. Obviously, taking some of your clothes off onstage is quite daunting, but it will be alright – I’ll just keep getting in that gym.
Your ex-Corrie co-star Oliver Farnworth is playing Alex’s lover Dan Gallagher. Has it been nice to have a familiar face around?
Yes, we knew each other from Corrie, but didn’t really get to work together much or have many scenes together. So we knew each other, just not that well. It has been really nice that we were familiar with each other going into the play.
Would you be open to reprising your role as Michelle in Corrie?
Yeah, possibly. I love Coronation Street. It’s where I started and it gave me the biggest part of my career. I had wonderful times there, I made wonderful friends and I loved the character of Michelle, so I have 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 on-screen husband Simon Gregson on I’m A Celebrity?
I did. I didn’t see every episode as I don’t watch loads of TV and I’m always on my feet. I was actually on honeymoon when the final was on, but I was rooting for him all the way.
Has it tempted you to take part?
No! Not in the slightest. It’s not for me.
What about Strictly Come Dancing?
Strictly might be one that I would be interested in – I think because you’re learning a skill and it’s something new, that would be a good one to do.
Have you enjoyed getting into TV presenting over the past couple of years?
Yes. It’s not a path I particularly thought I’d go down. Presenting wasn’t really on my agenda, but it’s something that has come along and I’ve grown to love. I got the opportunity to do it and hone my skills during a difficult time. When they came to me with Morning Live and said, “Can Kym come and present this show?” I said, “Really? Me? Why?” I was confused, but so grateful to be given the opportunity.
