Kym Marsh reveals ‘real name’ and why she changed it before fame – as she spills Corrie secrets with EastEnders’ star
KYM Marsh has revealed her ‘real name’ and why she changed it before fame.
Chatting to EastEnders star Michael Greco, who played Beppe di Marco between 1998 and 2002, Kym has shared several secrets from her time in Coronation Street.
Appearing on Suffolk Sound Michael is covering Chloe Rivers’ radio show – Through the Morning with Chloe Rivers – for two weeks.
It was his debut show today and his first phone guest was Kym Marsh.
Revealing her “real name”, Kym said: “I was Kimberly with an I from birth, but I changed my name as I decided it was really boring.
“I changed it to Kym with a ‘y’ because I thought it was really cool.
“It took my Dad about 10 years to start writing my name with a y!”
She also dished on behind-the-scenes secrets of Coronation Street.
Kym played the role of Michelle Connor on the hit ITV soap from 2006 to 2019.
“I was only supposed to be in Coronation Street for four episodes, I didn’t even have a surname, I was just Michelle,” she revealed in the chat.
“I later got a permanent place and the surname Connor,” Kym added.
CORONATION STREET SECRETS
“When I first started I was in the green room and walked past Bill Roache and in my head was like ‘Oh my God, it’s Ken Barlow!’.
“Beverley Callard (who played Liz McDonald) was so lovely. She really took me under her wing and made me feel really at ease,” she went on to dish.
Kym is starring in Abigail’s Party in Manchester’s Royal Exchange.
Rehearsals start on March 3 and the show opens April 4 with it running until May 17.
EXCITING ACTING STINT
Speaking on Chloe Rivers’ show with Michael Greco, she said: “I’m so excited, it’s my debut at the Exchange and I’ll be playing Beverley Moss, it’s such an iconic play so a complete win win for me.
Kym Marsh's career so far
Actress, singer and presenter Kym Marsh has a career spanning almost three decades, across a wide variety of projects. Here is a look at Kym’s body of work so far.
- Hear’say (2001-2002): Kym and the four other winners of reality TV series Popstars formed the band Hear’say. Her bandmates include Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw, Noel Sullivan and Danny Foster. She left the group in January 2002, with the brand breaking up months later.
- Coronation Street (2006-2019): Kym joined the cast of ITV soap opera Coronation Street in 2006, playing the character Michelle Connor. During her time in the soap, the character’s storylines included marrying Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and discovering her son Ryan was not hers biologically – having been swapped with another baby at the hospital. Kym left Corrie in 2019, after 13 years.
- Popstar to Operastar (2010): She appeared in series one of this show – which saw eight stars known for singing pop music trained in how to sing opera. Fellow contestants included McFly’s Danny Jones and The Saturdays’ Vanessa White. Kym placed fourth overall; the now-late singer Darius was named the winner.
- Morning Live (2020 – present): Morning Live first debuted as a 40-part series to connect with viewers’ real-life concerns and to offer trustworthy and expert advice. Kym co-fronted the show alongside Gethin Jones – the likes of Michelle Ackerley and Helen Skelton have since also come on board.
- Waterloo Road (2023 – present): Following Waterloo Road’s revival at the Beeb, Kym was named among several new cast members joining the show. She portrays school canteen worker Nicky Walters.
“I’m beside myself, just cant wait. There is something so freeing about paying another character, living someone else life for a little bit.”
LONGTIME PALS WITH MICHAEL GRECO
Back in 2016, Kym opened up on why she healed a bitter feud she had with Hollyoaks actress Steph Waring two years after she began dating her ex.
Kym, who split with Steph’s ex Dan Hooper in December 2015, elaborated on the pair’s reconciliation at the time – with her even chatting about Michael Greco in the process.
“I’ve known her new boyfriend Michael Greco for years. He was really good friends with Jack Ryder, as they were in EastEnders at the same time,” she said at the time.
Kym was married to Jack, who played Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders, for seven years until 2009.
She added: “I saw Michael and he was with Steph so she and I ended up catching up properly, which was nice.
“Steph and I have obviously had our differences in the past, but I’m a big believer in letting things go and moving on.
“There was no awkwardness, it was good to talk. Steph and Michael seem happy and loved up. I wish them lots of luck together!”
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