"I could be a gran at 35"

Pulling pints behind the most famous bar in the country, Kym Marsh has the world at her feet.

The Coronation Street actress, who plays feisty Rover's Return barmaid Michelle Connor, has been a huge hit with viewers since she started in the soap last year.

And it's no wonder. Unlike some stars, off-screen 30-year-old Kym - who's married to former EastEnders actor Jack Ryder - is open, friendly and immensely likeable.

She's petite, but still manages to tuck into a large fishcake and salad during our chat. And without a scrap of make-up on, she still looks fresh-faced and clear-eyed. Not bad for someone who says she could be a granny in just five years . . .

"Technically, I could be a grandmother at 35 - that's frightening," says Kym, who has two children, David, 12, and Emily, nine, from a previous relationship.

"I hadn't planned to be a mum at 18. And if my kids told me they wanted to have their own children at that age, I would tell them what a bad idea it is.

"Of course, if they went ahead anyway, I'd be supportive - I couldn't be a hypocrite. But it's even more scary because I definitely want another child of my own."

Kym and Jack are keen to add to their family - just not yet.

"We would definitely like one more," she says. "But we're both busy so we want to make sure we have the time to enjoy it. I'm only 30, so there's no rush. David and Emily pester me for a brother or sister, but they're going to have to wait.

"It's all very frightening, though. It's been almost 10 years since I last gave birth and I'm sure a lot has changed."

Despite her success, it's clear Kym - who first found fame in the TV-manufactured band Hear'Say - loves being a mum and adores her children.

"When I finish filming, I come home and chill out with my family," she explains.

"Either Jack or I try to always be there for the kids, to take them to school or pick them up afterwards. If we're both busy, my mum and dad will help.

"I don't want to be a part-time mum. I want to be there each day to wash school uniforms, make their breakfasts and do everything other mums do."

And despite her showbiz lifestyle, Kym is adamant that David and Emily won't take any privilege for granted. After all, it wasn't long ago that she was a struggling single mum, living in a bedsit and desperately trying to make ends meet.

"I make sure my children appreciate what we have. If they want things, they

have to earn money by doing household chores," she explains.

"I'm glad they remember what it's like not to have stuff. We really struggled. We lived in a house infested with ants and had no money. David remembers how tough it was and will often say how grateful he is."

Kym's life now is also a far cry from her own upbringing.

"When I was a kid, we lived on one of the poorest estates in Wigan," she recalls. "Mum and dad always made sure we had what we needed, but it wasn't easy.

Dad's joinery business went bankrupt and we had to move house as the bank was going to repossess our home. My parents found it hard to make ends meet.

"One of the biggest things I've learned is to be a fighter. I've turned my life around with hard work and determination. I'm really proud of all I have achieved because I've experienced the other side of life - living on benefits and struggling with bills."

Kym is incredibly protective of her children and her husband. Jack played Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders but left the show in 2002, when his deathbed scene was watched by 16 million viewers. Kym leaps to Jack's defence at any suggestion that he is a kept man on her Corrie wages.

"That's so not the case," she counters. "Just because he's not on TV five nights a week, people think he's not working. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Because he went into EastEnders at just 17 years old, he wanted to experience other aspects of the acting world so he's chosen to stay away from TV."

In fact, Jack's workload has been heavier than his wife's as he tours the country acting on stage. His most recent role was in the play The Safari Party, and saw him performing five-night stints for almost six months.

"He has a really heavy schedule and loves every minute of it," says Kym proudly. "But it gets quite annoying when people think I'm the main breadwinner in our family when clearly I'm not. It's very equal. And even if it wasn't, so what?"

The couple will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary in August, and although it hasn't all been plain sailing, Kym reckons they're happier than ever.

"Our relationship is good because we work at it," she explains. "And we're friends as well as being in love. Jack and I have our own lives outside the family so we can come home and talk about something else. It's healthy for a relationship."

Kym had her children with ex-partner David Cunliffe. And with a mother, father and stepdad, they've picked up traits from each of their parents.

"Emily takes after me, both in personality and looks - poor child!" laughs Kym. "She's outgoing, bubbly, likes to entertain and sings all the time - very much like I was at her age. David is very like his father but because Jack's been in his life for six years, he has some of Jack's traits, too.

David has his father's prankster side as well as Jack's gentleness and consideration."

The family recently moved from St Albans to Cheshire. It's only 40 minutes from the Corrie set and means that Kym is closer to her parents, Dave and Pauline.

"We were nervous about moving, but the kids love their new school and being nearer their dad," says Kym.

Despite their parents no longer being together, the children are still a big part of their father's life.

"They have a great relationship with him and he's a good dad," says Kym.

"David and Jack get on well - it's all very amicable.

"Our children are the most important thing to us and we all get together to talk about them."

After Kym left Hear'Say she launched a solo music career, but was dropped by her record company after poor sales. Following roles in stage shows like Saturday Night Fever, she landed the part in Corrie. And she quickly learned she's not comfortable with on-screen snogging!

"It's so awkward," she cringes. "It's in front of so many people, so it's not at all romantic. Luckily Jack doesn't get jealous because he had to do the same thing in EastEnders.

"Even though you know it's professional and there's nothing in it, it's still a bit weird to see your partner snogging another person. I even had to kiss a girl in Hollyoaks: In The City, but it's uncomfortable, whoever it is."

Since first setting foot on the cobbles, her character has dumped her bisexual boyfriend and had an on-off relationship with Steve McDonald. She now has a huge storyline coming up and Kym is loving it.

"I'll be there until they sack me!" she laughs. "I still look around the set and do double takes when I see the other actors and realise where I am.

"When Jack was in EastEnders, he'd come home after an emotional scene and still be affected by it. Now I'm doing the same thing. But after a few minutes with him and the kids making me laugh, I soon feel normal again."

If the rumours are true, Kym's on course to become one of the soap's greats, alongside the likes of Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner) and Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch). And it's an honour she relishes.

"I loved Elsie Tanner. She was the woman of Corrie - strong, feisty and sexy, the whole package," she says.

As much as Kym is comfortable being on TV, she's not keen to do another reality show, unlike her now pregnant ex-bandmate Myleene Klass, who was a big hit on I'm A Celebrity!

"If you want a long career, you have to make wise choices," explains Kym.

"I've been offered shows like I'm A Celebrity! and Big Brother but I'd rather hold out and work hard to get the job I really want. I'd never say never, but I want a serious acting career, so I'm not tempted to do it.

"My acting goal was to join Corrie. I'm grateful because people have taken a huge chance on me when I could have been rubbish!"