With their dark hair and captivating eyes, Kym Marsh and her daughter Emilie Cunliffe share a striking resemblance – though they can't see it themselves.
"We get told we look alike all the time, but we don't see it," says singer and actress Kym, 46, with a laugh on HELLO!'s exclusive photoshoot. "Although, the Face ID on my phone sometimes recognises Emilie’s face as mine, so that’s when I know we must look like each other."
© David Venni/HELLO!"When I'm wearing make-up, I do see the likeness a little bit – but then when I’ve got none on, I think I look like my dad!" adds 25-year-old Emilie, whose father is David Cunliffe, with whom Kym was in a relationship.
It isn't only Kym's facial features Emilie has inherited, however. Mother and daughter are preparing to tour the UK and Ireland together in The Official Take That Musical: Greatest Days, which kicks off on 6 May. They play past and present versions of the same character.
"Emilie's like me – as a kid, I used to dance around the living room with a hairbrush and she did the same," says Strictly Come Dancing 2022 star Kym, adding: "She's a better singer than me, though, hands down. I've never been able to sing like she can."
Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Take That's first UK No. 1, Pray, and featuring their hits, the musical tells the story of five best friends – including Kym and Emilie's character Rachel – who are obsessed with the boyband. Two decades and a tragedy later, the girls reunite to see their heart-throbs one last time.
© David Venni/HELLO!Being mother and daughter put the pair at a huge advantage when it came to preparing for their role. "This is my first stage role and I was nervous going into it, but being with my mum has put me at ease," says Emilie, who was only three when Kym rose to fame on the 2001 reality TV show Popstars and won a place in pop band Hear'Say.
Growing up around her mum’s success inspired her own love of music and she started singing aged nine. "When I was a teenager and my mum would sing at charity functions, she used to invite me up on stage and we would do duets," says Emilie.
Kym also recognises star quality in her younger daughter Polly Lomas, 12, whose father is Hollyoaks star Jamie. "I see Polly wanting to be an actor. She's going to end up going the same way [as Emilie and me], I don't doubt that."
On top of the excitement of her first stage role, Emilie is marrying accountant Mikey Hoszowskyj in the summer. Their son Teddy, who turns four in May, and Emilie’s stepdaughter Polly, seven, will have starring roles on the big day and are “going to have an absolute ball", she says.
This year also marks the release of Emilie’s debut album Stories, which was recorded in Nashville last year. "The album is about storytelling so there’s songs about love, my kids, and grief," she says, adding that Teddy and Polly have already given their seal of approval to it.
Watching Emilie become a mum – and achieving her career dreams – has brought Kym untold joy. "I've watched Emilie grow from this tiny little girl, through the difficult times of being a teenager. Having Teddy made Emilie into the woman that she is. Everything that she wants to do now is for her children. She’s got that fire in her belly and it’s so lovely to see."
The Official Take That Musical: GREATEST DAYS is touring the UK and Ireland from 6 May. For tickets, visit: greatestdaysmusical.com
PHOTOS: DAVID VENNI STYLING: MARTINE ALEXANDER HAIR: VINCENT ALLENBY MAKE-UP: SALLY ROWE USING SALLY ROWE LASHES LOCATION: THE WALDORF HOTEL, LONDON
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