Entertainment

Soap star crowned Mum of the Year

Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh has been named Celebrity Mum of the Year.

The mother-of-two who plays barmaid Michelle Connor in the ITV soap also confirmed she is back together with former Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas as she accepted the award.

The star said: "Yes we are back together. Jamie has got a son of his own and he is a very good father but he can't win Celebrity Mum of the Year!

"It is a real honour to get this award. It is nice to know I have got a lot of support out there, it has been a really difficult year.

"I have been a single parent in the past and I have had struggles so hopefully people still think I have done the best by my children."

Also in the running
Celebrity Mum of the
Year nominees 2009

The former Hear'Say star accepted the Bounty Celebrity Mum of the Year 2009 Award at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester after a public vote crowned her the winner.

Marsh and Lomas were struck with family tragedy earlier this year, after their premature baby boy died. Archie Jay Lomas was born 18 weeks early in February, dying moments later.

Marsh is divorced from former EastEnders star Jack Ryder. She split from Lomas last month, but is now back with him.

Marsh's two children David, 14, and Emily, 11 are from a previous relationship with Dave Cunliffe.

Marsh added: "It is so important to have a big family network. My parents are so supportive and their dad is very involved in our children's upbringing."

Other mums who were nominated this year include TV presenter Holly Willoughby, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and David Cameron's wife Samantha, glamour model and former winner Katie Price, as well as her former bandmates Myleene Klass and Suzanne Shaw.