Kym Marsh has revealed that she’s been forced to stop training after developing a hernia – leaving her feeling ‘less energetic’ and ‘not as toned’.
The former Coronation Street star, 44, made the revelation in her column for OK! magazine, as she also recalled onetime boss Nigel Lythgoe’s jibe about her weight when she was a hopeful on ITV’s Popstars back in 2001.
Commenting on Shirley Ballas’ recent confession that she was ‘almost not eating’ when she first joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, Kym wrote: ‘There’s definitely pressure on women to look a certain way in this industry.
Fitness setback: Kym Marsh has revealed that she’s been forced to stop training after developing a hernia – leaving her feeling ‘less energetic’ and ‘not as toned’
‘It was tough for me when Nigel Lythgoe made comments about my weight on Postars in 2001. It was hurtful, but as I’ve got older I’m much more comfortable with who I am…That being said, you know when you feel good and when you don’t.’
She continued: ‘I can’t train because I’ve got a hernia. That takes its toll because my body isn’t in as good a shape as it normally is and I can’t do anything about it.
‘I don’t feel as energetic as I usually do and I’m very aware that my body isn’t as toned. I just have to know this isn’t forever – I can train when I’m better.’
Back in 2001, Popstars judge Lythgoe, 71, was filmed telling her: ‘You need to lose some weight. Christmas is over and the goose has gotten fat. I think you’ve put weight on over Christmas and I think you needed to lose weight before Christmas.’
Hurtful: She made the revelation in her column for OK!, as she also recalled onetime boss Nigel Lythgoe’s jibe about her weight when she was a hopeful on ITV’s Popstars back in 2001
Speaking about that infamous moment, Kym told MailOnline in 2016: ‘I’d always been quite body confident until that moment but when he said that it really affected me, I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror.
‘I started to look at myself differently and question whether I was overweight. I started becoming far too critical of myself. My body had changed an awful lot after having children and I simply didn’t have time to exercise.
‘I couldn’t get rid of the weight I’d put on after having David and Emilie and to be humiliated like that on national television cut really deep.
‘Looking back now, I realise how much it did affect me. I started being really careful about which clothes I wore and the thought of being papped in a bikini terrified me.
Harsh: Back in 2001, Popstars judge Nigel Lythgoe, 71, was filmed telling her: ‘You need to lose some weight. Christmas is over and the goose has gotten fat’. Pictured in 2019
‘I went from being very confident about my body to completely the opposite overnight and it stuck with me for years.’
Meanwhile, it was recently reported that her former group Hear’Say is in talks for a reunion tour to mark the 20th anniversary of winning ITV’s Popstars in 2001.
The group, originally made up of Kym, Suzanne Shaw, 39, Noel Sullivan, 40, and Danny Foster, 41, are said to be planning the reform potentially without fifth member Myleene Klass, 42, as the ‘time isn’t right’ for her.
Myleene and Kym reportedly set up a WhatsApp group with the band in September with the quintet meeting up in October.
Reunited? Meanwhile, it was recently reported that Hear’Say is in talks for a reunion tour to mark the 20th anniversary of winning ITV’s Popstars in 2001 (pictured in 2001)
Reform? Myleene Klass and Kym (pictured centre and right with the band in 2001) reportedly set up a WhatsApp group with the band in September with the quintet meeting up in October
A source told The Sun: ‘Right now, there’s a real demand for nostalgia and feel-good celebrity — and Hear’Say fit the bill.
‘The group exchanged a series of messages about a reunion, proposing a few tour dates and a couple of one-off TV appearances, as well as a possible ITV documentary.
‘But after much consideration, Myleene politely said that after a lot of thought she didn’t think the time was right for her.’
MailOnline contacted Myleene, Kym, Suzanne, Noel and Danny’s representatives for comment at the time.
Hear’Say formed on ITV show Popstars in 2001 and found success with their number one hit Pure and Simple. They later joined by Johnny Shentall, 42, after Kym left the band in early 2002.
New member: The group were later joined by Johnny Shentall, 42, after Kym left the band in early 2002 (pictured)
Amazing: Since soaring to fame in Hear’Say, Myleene has gone on to secure a successful presenting career as a regular host on Smooth radio and she is currently preparing to appear on the 2021 series of Dancing On Ice (pictured in 2001, left, and recently for DOI, right)
Hear’Say’s first album Popstars was a huge hit but their success quickly dwindled by the time they released their second album Everybody.
They split up in October 2002, less than two years after being put together on Popstars and cited ‘abuse from the public’ at the time as the primary reason behind the breakup.
Since soaring to fame in Hear’Say, Myleene has gone on to secure a successful presenting career as a regular host on Smooth radio and she is currently preparing to appear on the 2021 series of Dancing On Ice.
The star also appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2006 where she made headlines for her incredible white bikini during the shower scenes, resulting in her own swimwear photoshoot with Marks & Spencer.
Soap star! Kym went on to land a role on Coronation Street as Michelle Connor in 2006 and she played the feisty character until 2019 after deciding to leave the cobbles (pictured in 2001, left, and February, right)
Acting career: Suzanne won the 2008 series of Dancing On Ice, going on to star in several West End productions. She also had a role as Eve Jenson in Emmerdale, but quit in 2011 after one year (pictured in 2002, left, and in February, right)
Kym went on to land a role on Coronation Street as Michelle Connor in 2006 and she played the feisty character until 2019 after deciding to leave the cobbles.
The star was recently announced as a presenter, alongside Gethin Jones, to front BBC’s new breakfast show Morning Live. She started the role in October.
Suzanne won the 2008 series of Dancing On Ice, going on to star in several West End productions. She also had a role as Eve Jenson in Emmerdale, but quit in 2011 after one year.
Noel has had several parts in the West End and he recently played the lead role in musical School Of Rock.
Danny has his own group called Danny Foster & The Big Soul Corporation and he also auditioned for The Voice UK in 2013, but he failed to impress the judging panel during the blind auditions round.
Musicals: Noel has had several parts in the West End and he recently played the lead role in musical School Of Rock (pictured in 2001, left, and 2019, right)
The Voice! Danny has his own group called Danny Foster & The Big Soul Corporation and he also auditioned for The Voice UK in 2013, but he failed to impress the judging panel during the blind auditions round (pictured in 2002, left, and The Voice UK, right, in 2013)