TV star Kym Marsh to take on iconic role in new UK musical tour

Kym, who lives in Warrington, will be taking to the stage for the first time this weekend in the brand-new UK tour of 101 Dalmatians the Musical.

The 48-year-old actor, who had a 13-year stint on Coronation Street, will be tapping into her dark side as she embodies classic villain, Cruella De Vil.

“I enjoy playing [villainous] roles because they’re so far removed from me, so you really have to really try and get into the head of that person,” she said.

“Trying to get into the head of a person who wants to skin puppies to wear is especially alien to me because I’m such a huge dog lover.”

It’s not just the acting challenge that Kym has been enjoying about playing the iconic villain, it’s the fabulous nature of Cruella too.

“I think people are going to absolutely love her,” she said.

“The costumes are so brilliant, and when she walks on, she’s just in command of everything – she’s the most fun character ever.”

Kym played Michelle Connor on Coronation Street for 13 years

The tour will be stopping near Warrington soon, with dates in Manchester Palace Theatre from July 30 until August 10, and Liverpool Empire from September 24 to 28.

Kym has been simultaneously rehearsing for the upcoming role while filming the latest series of BBC hit drama, Waterloo Road.

But the heavy workload is something the star is used to, as she has been juggling responsibilities since she started her career.

“I fell pregnant from a very young age and my parents were like ‘this is even more reason for you to carry on pursuing your dream, and make the life you want, not just for you but for the children’,” she said.

“I was very much spurred on and encouraged [by them], and I’m very thankful for that.”

Her career began when she appeared on Popstars, the ITV series in which she competed to become part pop group, Hearsay.

Her transition into acting cam about by chance, though, as after she left Hearsay and was subsequently dropped by her label, she was offered the role of Annette in a West End production of Saturday Night Fever.

It was this role that spurred her transition to a career on the screen and led her to become one of Coronation Street’s most loved characters, Michelle Connor.

“I never in a million years thought or expected [that was how things would go],” she said.

“I’ve been very fortunate, as I have been given some amazing opportunities, and had a lot of people believe in me, even if I didn’t necessarily believe in myself.”

Kym lost her dad, David, to prostate cancer in January (Image: PA)

Though her career is continuing to flourish, it hasn’t been without personal challenges, as Kym has had to deal with the loss of her dad, David, in January.

“My dad was the pinnacle of our lives, and very much the figurehead of the family,” she said.

“It’s a huge loss, and I needed [some] time off – and I think there may come times down the line where I need it again, because it’s not something that you get over.

“It’s always going to be very tricky to not have him around.

“For him not to see me play this role makes me very sad because I think he would love it. I just hope he’s with me every night on the stage.”

For more information about the upcoming tour of 101 Dalmatians, and to buy tickets, click here.