Fans of Strictly Come Dancing have rushed to the defence of Kim Marsh after she was evicted from the hit BBC show. The former Coronation Street actress has opened up about her exit - and her love for dance partner Graziano Di Prima.
Kym, 46, and Graziano became the tenth duo to be booted off the show, a week after she missed the show due to illness. And as fans criticised the decision and defended the actress, she took to Instagram to break her silence while crediting her partner and family for their support.
Kym was placed in the dance-off against Molly Rainford, with the Corrie star being overcome with emotion at the result. Graziano also appeared to itch his eye as he praised the actress's family and the friendship they have formed.
Kym took to Instagram to share a snap of herself and Graziano along with a picture of her with her family. She told her 544,000 followers: "Thank you so much to everyone who supported us throughout this competition! We had such a great time! I will never forget this moment in my life.
"I have made a friend for life in @grazianodiprima but I have to say a huge Thankyou to my family. My son, my daughter, their partners, my parents, my siblings, I could not have got through this without them! I love you, my beautiful family!
"Graziano, you are now an honorary Marsh!! We love you. Thank you for the fun, and the laughter and thank you for showing me that I am stronger than I think! Love you!!"
Friends and social media users alike shared their support for for Kym, with Corrie co-star Georgia Taylor saying: "Darling you've been absolutely sensational. Have watched you every week. You're fire!"
Fan Mcfccj56 added: "Not worth watching now you're not in it. Well done, enjoy every minute you were excellent."
Emj08_ added: "So gutted you've gone, I voted for you every week you were amazing, you should be proud of yourself, love ya Kym xxx."
The decision to get rid of Kym came after she had been forced to pull out of the live show a week previously after contracting Covid. Some fans said they didn't think it was "fair" that Kym was automatically put through to the next week, and CookieJoe9 wrote on Twitter: "It's unfair that Kym Marsh gets a free pass next week. What if she tests positive again next week?”
Tracie_M_ added: "I know Kym Marsh can’t help being ill, but at this stage in the competition, I don’t think it’s fair that she gets a pass through to next week's #StrictlyCome Dancing."
Dancer James Jordan shared his thoughts on the issue in his HELLO! column, saying: "It's a competition. If you're hoping to compete in the Olympics and in the first round of qualifiers you're ill and can't turn up, then you're out of the competition and it's as simple as that."
But his wife and fellow Strictly star Ola Jordan added: "We really do sympathise with Kym though, it must feel so awful to have to miss out. It's hard because it means so much to the other dancers and one of them will be leaving this week when it could have been Kym."
But many fans felt that Kym should leave with her head held high. Carolsmillieofficial said on Instagram: "Aw Kim, you were an absolute inspiration to women everywhere."
Diannebuswell said: "You were amazing," and fran_newmanyoung added: "You were so incredible! Loved watching you."
- Are you sad to see Kym go? Or do you think others deserved to stay more? Let us know your thoughts in our comment section.
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