Kym Marsh was forced to defend her new relationship on Sunday night after cynical Instagram followers attacked the actress for dating a man the same age as her son.
The 48-year-old mother of three confirmed she has found love with fellow actor Samuel Thomas, her co-star in a touring production of 101 Dalmatians.
At 29, Thomas, whom she calls “the most incredible man in the world,” is the same age as her eldest son, David Cunliffe.
And Instagram followers were quick to make the connection after Kym announced her latest romance by describing Thomas as her “soulmate”.
Commenting on the post, one unimpressed follower wrote: ‘Jesus… Another amazing man… 5 minute wonder… looks just like your son.’
Kym Marsh was forced to defend her new relationship on Sunday night after her cynical Instagram followers attacked the actress for dating a man the same age as her son.
A second added: “He looks like your son! Kym, I like you, but don’t say it.”
Responding to the posts, Kym, whose third marriage ended just 13 months ago, snapped: “Do one.”
Her new boyfriend Thomas also weighed in, adding: “I wonder what’s missing in your life that you need to comment on others. It’s sad, really.”
Kym Marsh revealed she found love with co-star Samuel Thomas when she shared a loved-up photo on Sunday.
The 48-year-old actress, who met Samuel, 29, while starring in 101 Dalmatians The Musical, declared her partner her “soulmate” as they shared a kiss.
Kissing in a photo booth for the Instagram update, Kym, who split from her third husband 13 months ago, praised Samuel as “the most amazing man in the world”.
“I met the most amazing man in the world! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. @samuelthomasuk I love you #beautiful #soulmate #iloveyou,” she wrote alongside the post.
Samuel commented: ‘I love you’
Both mother-of-three Kym and her new boyfriend hit back after followers mocked Thomas being 29 – the same age as her eldest son.
Kym confirmed she has found love with fellow actor Samuel Thomas, her co-star in a touring production of 101 Dalmatians.
“I met the most amazing man in the world! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. I love you #beautiful #soulmate #iloveyou,” she wrote alongside the post.
Sharing a black and white photo on her Instagram account, she wrote: “I wasn’t expecting you but here you are. I love you.”
“Same here. The best things happen unexpectedly. I love you too,” Kym replied.
The singer She was previously married to Holly Oaks star Jamie Lomas, 48, from 2012 to 2014 and they have one daughter together, Polly, 13.
Before Jamie, Kym was married to Jack Ryder from 2002 to 2009. They had two children together: David, 29, and Emilie, 27.
She remarried for the third time to Scott Ratcliff in 2021.
The couple split 13 months after their wedding when Kym filed for divorce citing unreasonable behaviour.
The couple is said to have split after a trial separation, due to work keeping them apart.
A source said Sun:They both really tried to make it work, but the cracks had been there for a while and could only be seen one or two days a week at most.
Samuel shared his own loving tribute to his new partner after confirming the relationship on Sunday night.
The actress, 48, met Samuel, 29, while starring in 101 Dalmatians The Musical (pictured at press night in June)
‘Kym has been very busy, and last year (being on Strictly Come Dancing) meant that even her weekends were taken up with weekdays rehearsing, more recently she’s been filming all over the place and rehearsing for a new theatre run.’
The source added that Army Major Scott’s job had driven a wedge between him and Kym: ‘Scott is based in a barracks down south and has a very busy career. Kym also remains a working mum and lives in Cheshire with her family.
‘In the end, the fact that they lived so far away from each other made it impossible.’
The source said the couple “had a trial separation” and “hoped to get things back on track” but added that they decided “it’s best to go our separate ways.”
In January last year, Kym revealed that two days after their October 2021 wedding, Scott was sent away for a fortnight – something she “didn’t expect” and called life as a military wife “pretty grim” due to the distance.
In addition to the stress of distance, she admitted that the danger of her job added to the problem, as she was worried about the war.
She said: ‘There’s always anxiety, it’s always stressful when he’s gone.
“There may not be a real threat of war at the moment, but there is always a risk when you are in these dangerous places.”
As well as her assessment of the distance in their lives, she also spoke about how Strictly exacerbated her anxiety as training coincided with Scott’s time away with the Parachute Regiment, leaving the pair barely seeing each other.
Kym stars as Cruella de Vil in the musical show 101 Dalmatians.
The musical, written by Douglas Hodge and Johnny McKnight, began its tour in June, starting at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London.
The singer was previously married to Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas, 48, from 2012 to 2014 and they have just one child together, 13-year-old Polly (seen in 2009).
Before Jamie, Kym was married to Jack Ryder from 2002 to 2009. They had two children together: David, 29, and Emilie, 27 (pictured in 2001).
She married for the third time to Scott Ratcliff in 2021. The couple split 13 months after their wedding when Kym filed for divorce citing unreasonable behaviour (pictured, January 2023).
Kym said: ‘I’m so happy to be joining the cast of 101 Dalmatians playing the iconic Cruella De Vil. Has there ever been a more fabulous villain?’
She continued: ‘Obviously she’s a million miles away from me in real life, and my dogs are very happy about that, but being able to bring my version of this famous character to life is a real treat.
“Douglas and Johnny have written this brilliant new musical filled with songs that I find myself humming under my breath already. The story of 101 Dalmatians spans generations and I’m sure young and old alike will love this production.”
It’s been a tough few months for Kym, whose beloved father died earlier this year.
The former Coronation Street star is very close to his father, who died aged 78 in January following a battle with prostate cancer.
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