As most of us know, the path of true love is never easy.
Just ask Kym swampwho at 48 years old finally found her soul mate in Samuel Thomas, a hitherto unknown actor who, at 29 years old, is 19 years younger than her.
Kym confirmed the relationship on Sunday night, sharing a photo of herself and Samuel with the caption: “Met the most amazing man in the world! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. @samuelthomasuk I love you.”
Lending credence to the idea that love can be found in the most unexpected places, Kym fell for her new man while playing the role of the evil Cruella de Ville in a touring production of 101 Dalmatians.
But if the actress has not managed to find the man of her dreams so far, it is not for lack of trying, as her third marriage ended abruptly just 13 months ago.
It was the latest in a series of high-profile heartbreaks for the mother of three, whose checkered romantic history spans three decades and numerous failed relationships.
And who else has figured in your path to true love?
MailOnline has all the answers.
Kym Marsh has finally found her soulmate in Samuel Thomas, a hitherto unknown actor who, at 29, is 19 years her junior.
1. David Cunliffe (1994-1999)
Long before she became a household name, aspiring actress and singer Kym met Dave, a local builder, during a night at a karaoke pub in her hometown of Garswood, Lancashire.
The couple soon became engaged and had two children, David, 27, and Emilie, 26, before separating in 1999.
Kym later recalled how difficult it was to make ends meet as a single mother while living on “£80 a week in rented accommodation”.
“They were well clothed and fed, although they had no luxuries,” he said. Cousin Magazine about raising David and Emilie.
‘Sometimes it was difficult to get enough money for the week. When Emilie was a baby, my sister Tracey and I used to buy nappies together.’
She added: ‘I would also take the children to mum’s house if we didn’t have enough money to top up the electricity meter.
“Times were tough, but we made it work and I made it work.”
2. Jack Ryder (2001-2009)
Romance blossomed over tea and biscuits after Kym met Jack in the BBC canteen.
Kym, then a member of doomed pop group Hear’Say, was making an appearance on Top Of The Pops when she crossed paths with Jack, a familiar name thanks to his role as Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders.
The couple married at St Albans Parish Church, Hertford, in August 2002 and subsequently sold the photographs to OK! magazine for an estimated £300,000.
But seven years later it was all over, when Jack filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery following her affair with fellow actor Jamie Lomas.
In 2009, District Judge Lynn Roberts granted the EastEnders star a decree nisi on the grounds that their marriage had irretrievably broken down.
In court documents, Jack claimed he first learned of her adultery in July 2008. He wrote that she “has admitted to committing adultery, which continues to occur.”
Kym, in response to a question about whether she admitted to the alleged adultery, said simply: “Yes.”
Asked if he objected to paying costs despite not defending the petition, he replied: “No, we have agreed that I will make a contribution of £673.50p towards the respondent’s costs (including VAT and disbursements).”
