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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Kym Marsh hits back after viewers spot issue with in-laws in audience

Kym Marsh has hit back after claims were made over her in-laws as they watched her on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. The former Coronation Street star was back in the ballroom on Saturday night for the BBC One dance contest's Halloween special.

Kym and her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima performed the first female celebrity Rumba of the series to Frozen by Madonna while dressed as a haunting, yet glamourous, witch. Following their performance, Kym and Graziano headed up the stairs to chat to Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman.

Claudia said to Kym: "Your in-laws are here. Did that add to the pressure?" The camera then showed Kym’s in-laws, who were sat in the audience alongside their son, and Kym's husband, Scott Ratcliffe watching from the sidelines.

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Kym replied: "Well yeah when I’m dancing like that with him,” as Claudia and Graziano laughed. Graziano then shouted out: "I love you Scott," before the pair were given their results where the former soap star and Hear’Say singer and her Italian dance partner scored an impressive 34 out of a possible 50.

But Strictly viewers were a bit confused by the reaction of Kym's in-laws, including @Tracie_M_ who tweeted: "Kym Marsh’s in-laws didn’t look too happy! #StrictlyComeDancing." Kym, however, had a perfectly reasonable explanation and clapped back at a headline which suggested their was 'tension' between the family.

Kym and Graziano during their Halloween routine (PA)

Sharing a screenshot of a newspaper headline to her Instagram Story, the 46-year-old said: "This has to be one of the funniest things I’ve read!! How about they weren’t aware the camera was even on them!!" She then added: "Good job we see the funny side."

On Sunday night, viewers saw Kym and Graziano make it through to another week. And Kym has now said she wanted Strictlypartner Graziano to become integrated into her family, describing him as quickly morphing into a “little brother”. She told Hello magazine: "He’s very quickly become like a little brother to me.

"Graziano is from a big family himself and is very family-orientated so it was important for us to build a friendship and I wanted to integrate him into the family. He’s fit in really well. Everyone loves him." Sicilian-born Graziano, 28, added: "I feel like part of the family.

Kym's in-laws were in the audience with her husband Scott Ratcliffe (BBC)

"Every week, there is a day where Kym invites me home with her and the family prepare Italian food and make me feel so welcome. At the end of the day, when we’ve finished the rehearsals, I’ll be in my hotel on my own. But Kym knows that, so she invites me back.”

And performing on Strictly has scored points with her youngest daughter, 11-year-old Polly. "Usually I’m quite embarrassing to her. She’s like 'Oh my God, I can’t believe everyone knows who my mum is. So embarrassing,'" Kym said.

"But now I’ve become more interesting. I’ve been getting more messages from Polly now, going ‘Good luck, Mum. I hope you’re doing well.’ I think it’s because all her friends are talking to her about (Strictly) at school."

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