Kym Marsh danced her way through to the next round of Strictly with a barnstorming performance to Ballroom Blitz. The former Coronation Street star, who plays dinner lady Nikki Walters in the reboot of BBC drama Waterloo Road, served up a tasty quickstep during Saturday night's live show.
The 46-year-old actress and presenter safely made it to the BBC dance contest's Halloween Week after landing in the bottom two last week and surviving the dreaded dance-off with singer Matt Goss. During a chat with host Claudia Winkleman on Sunday's results show (October 23) she became emotional as she reflected on this weekend's events.
Claudia then sprung a sweet surprise on Kym - a clip of her grandchildren dancing along with her at home as they watched her fly across the floor with professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima. "When you dance, they dance too," introduced Claudia as she showed Kym the video.
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"My babies," Kym could be heard saying as she watched alongside Graziano on the couch. And Claudia apologised for tugging at her heartstrings.
"I'm so sorry to make you emotional again," she soothed. And Kym told her: "They are honestly my biggest fans. Every week we get a video like that and it warms my heart."
Sweet’s Ballroom Blitz was chosen to celebrate the BBC’s centenary and previously featured on Strictly’s predecessor show Come Dancing. Their performance was opened by Angela Rippon, one of the original presenters of Come Dancing, before the couple took to the dancefloor for a high-octane routine in flamboyant ballroom dance outfits.
However, Kym appeared disappointed as she and Graziano secured a score of 27 out of a possible 40 leaving them in the bottom end of the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard. While judge Motsi Mabuse said the routine was like a "ray of sunshine coming in" she noted that she saw uncertainty in Kym's eyes.
Anton Du Beke added that her performance lacked some of her usual confidence and head judge Shirley Ballas argued the performance lacked 'stamina' and that it 'wasn't her best dance'. But Craig Revel Horwood disagreed, saying: "I thought you came out absolutely confident. Your frame needs work, we all know that but I thought the footwork was clean and, as Anton said, you flew around that floor, well done."
Kym, who played Michelle Connor in Corrie for 14 years, previously amazed viewers on the show launch when it was revealed that the singer, actress and TV presenter has three grandchildren. Host Tess Daly said: "Unbelievably, you have just become a grandma for the third time. Congratulations." Kym thanked Tess before the presenter added: "I've never seen a more glamorous grandma in my entire life."
The Morning Live host said she was pleased to be taking part in the popular long-running show for the grandmas. "I am doing it for the grannies, definitely," she declared. "Has a granny ever won before?" Tess asked as Kym informed her they hadn't. "I could be the first!" she exclaimed.
Kym's daughter Emilie has a three-year-old son with her partner Mikey Hoszowskyj, who they welcomed in May 2019. And in August Kym announced she had become a grandmother for the second time as her son David and his fiancée Courtney welcomed a baby boy.
Taking to Instagram Kym shared a black and white video of her new grandchild fast asleep. She captioned it: "Introducing…..Clayton Lenny David Cunliffe!!! Our beautiful new grandson was welcomed into the world on 17.08.22 weighing a whopping 10lb 7oz!!"I am so very proud of our future daughter in law @courtneyleac for being such a warrior and of our son @cunliffe890 for being the most wonderful supportive partner. You are already incredible parents and he is a very lucky little boy!! We love you so much."
The former Hear'Say singer continued: "And to our darling Clay. You are so so loved already by so many and We are so very lucky to be your YaYa and Pop. What adventures you have before you little one, we can’t wait to watch you grow… just don’t grow up too fast!!! We love you with all of our hearts."
Kym, who has a younger daughter Polly, 11, with her ex, Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas, is also a doting grandmother to Mikey's daughter, also named Polly. In March she proudly shared a picture to mark the little girl's sixth birthday and said: "Happy 6th birthday to our beautiful granddaughter Polly. What a little ray of sunshine you really are! Funny and sassy, sweet and kind and the best big sister to Teddy!"
She added: "Watching you grow is the biggest pleasure for us and we are so lucky to have you in our lives. Happy birthday little sweetheart. Love you all the world always."
A fan asked her: "Is your daughter and grandaughter called Polly?" and Kym replied: "Yes. My daughter's step daughter is also called Polly."
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