Actress and television presenter Kym Marsh has spoken candidly about the profound and lasting damage caused by a body-shaming comment made to her on national television more than two decades ago.
The Humiliating Moment That Lingered
Marsh, now 48, was a contestant on the hit 2001 ITV reality show Popstars, which formed the band Hear'Say. During the competition, veteran TV producer Nigel Lythgoe publicly referred to her as "fat". Reflecting on the incident, Marsh described feeling utterly dehumanised by the remark.
"It made me feel like an object, an item, not a human being," she revealed. Despite being chosen for the group based on her vocal talent, the comment left her feeling "humiliated and ashamed". Marsh emphasised that such a public critique of a contestant's body would be unthinkable in today's climate, stating it is something producers would "never get away with today" due to evolved societal attitudes.
Hear'Say Reunion: 'Never Say Never'
Looking back at the band that launched her career, Marsh also addressed the perennial question of a Hear'Say reunion. While not confirming any concrete plans, she offered a hopeful "never say never" to the idea.
She noted that the former band members, including Myleene Klass and Suzanne Shaw, all still keep in touch, which keeps the possibility alive for fans of the early-noughties pop phenomenon.
New Beginnings at 50
As she approaches a major personal milestone, Marsh shared her excitement for turning 50 in June. She is planning extensive celebrations to mark the occasion, viewing it as a positive new chapter.
Professionally, she is also preparing for an upcoming role in the stage thriller Single White Female, demonstrating her continued versatility as a performer.
Her decision to revisit the painful memory from Popstars highlights the long shadow cast by public humiliation and the ongoing conversation about respect and dignity in the entertainment industry.
