From making her name as part of chart-toppers Hearsay, to her 13-year stint on Coronation Street and beyond, Kym Marsh has always seemed one of the warmest, most approachable celebs. 

But now on stage, she’s tapping into her dark side, playing dog-murdering fashionista Cruella De Vil in a new UK tour of 101 Dalmatians The Musical, which is at Mayflower Theatre next week. 

“I enjoy playing villainous roles because they’re so far removed from me, so you have to really try and get into the head of that person,” she says, adding laughingly that “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! I’ve got two of my own, and I adore them.”

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Cruella isn’t just any villain of course, she’s the most fabulous villain there is, and Kym can’t wait to get on the Southampton stage.

“I think people are going to absolutely love her. The costumes are so brilliant, and when she walks on, she’s just in command of everything – she’s the most fun character ever.

"There won’t be just one wig. There's going to be several changes and it’s not just what you expect from her. We’re like Cruella De Vil times ten!”

(Image: Johan Persson) A single mum who had always dreamed of stardom, Kim made her name on Popstars, the ITV series in which she and four others were selected to be part of a new pop group, Hearsay. It kicked off a new era of national-talking-point talent shows, paving the way for Pop Idol and The X Factor.

She played Michelle Connor in Coronation Street, one of the soap's best loved characters and is now also a face of daytime TV as one of the hosts of the BBC’s flagship show Morning Live since its launch in 2020. 

When fashionista Cruella de Vil plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of adorable, tail-wagging young pups.

The classic canine caper is brought to life with spectacular puppetry, and irresistible puppies!

It runs from Tuesday to Saturday (October 22 to 26). Tickets from mayflower.org.uk

(Image: Johan Persson)