Kym Marsh says Coronation Street is her 'first love'

The former soap star started out on reality contest Popstars, but called Corrie her 'big break'.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Kym Marsh attends the Pride of Britain Awards 2022 at Grosvenor House on October 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images)
Kym Marsh says Coronation Street is her first love. (Getty Images)

Kym Marsh has admitted that Coronation Street will always be her "first love", adding that the soap was her "big break".

Marsh might have first stepped into the spotlight on reality contest Popstars in 2000, going on to have hits with Hear'Say, but the actor credited Coronation Street for giving her the confidence to do what she is doing now.

The actor played Michelle Connor in the ITV soap for 13 years and told The One Show she still looks back on her time on the cobbles with the fondest memories of her career.

Marsh wasn't the only former soap star singing the praises of her first acting job - she was joined by Delta Goodrem, who shared her love of having starred in Neighbours.

Former Hear'Say singer Kym Ryder during a photocall to announce her return to the cast of Coronation Street as Michelle Connor, alongside her onscreen family (left-right) Sean Gallagher (who plays her brother Paul), Rob James-Collier (who plays her brother Liam) and ben Thompson (who plays her son Ryan), from the Coronation Street set at Granada Studios, manchester.
Kym Marsh with some of her former Corrie family. (PA/Alamy)

Marsh, who played Michelle Connor between 2006 and 2019, said: "Coronation Street was my big break into acting and for me it will always be my first love.

"It means a lot to me, I made a lot of great friends and I learned a lot along the way. It's given me the confidence and ability to go on and do the things I'm doing now. I'm very grateful for it."

Her love for soap was echoed by Tuesday's other guest, singer Delta Goodrem who started out in Neighbours as aspiring musician character Nina Tucker.

She said: "The (Neighbours) cast and crew there are a big part of my heart and you never forget where you came from and who believed in you.

Watch: Coronation Street: Michelle Connor's best moments

"I loved Neighbours, I loved the rhythm of going in and getting the script and seeing what Nina was up to. I had great friends there, it was like being at school. I was only 16 when I joined Neighbours and I really enjoyed Erinsborough High as a school."

Marsh also spoke about her latest role playing Cruella De Vil in a new 101 Dalmatians musical, saying: "Cruella De Vil is probably the biggest iconic villain I can think of...I want people to go home and think that they really liked her but really hated her at the same time. I'm sure that children will dislike me."

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Delta Goodrem attends the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Delta Goodrem says Gary Barlow is a dear friend. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Goodrem opened up on her close friendship with Take That star Gary Barlow, sharing how he had been a huge influence on her career.

Talking about how they first met, she said: "It was on the first album when I was writing and working on Neighbours, Gary was incredibly instrumental. We crossed paths and wrote a lot of that first album together.

"We've remained dear friends, he's performed on my Christmas special in Australia, he's been a big part of a great friendship. He's great to so many artists."

The One Show airs on BBC One at 7pm on weekdays.