My husband doesn’t care about Strictly curse, he saw me get my kit off in Fatal Attraction, says Kym Marsh
AS one of soap’s most famous faces – and a successful pop star – it was only a matter of time before Kym Marsh agreed to slip in to a sparkly ensemble and hit the Strictly dance floor.
But as she hasn’t even been married a year yet, what about the infamous Strictly curse?
The former Hear’Say singer says her Army officer husband Scott, who she wed last October, had no fears left after previously watching her strip off and romp with a co-star in a play.
Heading into this weekend’s third live show with Italian dance partner Graziano di Prima, Kym jokes: “I know everyone talks about it but Scott really couldn’t care less.
“I’m an actor and he came and watched me on Fatal Attraction where I took my clothes off on stage, which was pretty daunting.
“But now he has seen me getting my kit off on stage and he wasn’t bothered, we don’t have an issue at all.
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“It is just another part of my job. He is not fussed.
TO THE LIMITS
“He’s just supportive and Strictly has already brought us closer together — we usually only see each other on weekends as he is based at Sandhurst in the week while I’m up in Manchester — so me being down south so often actually means we are closer.”
Kym, who is currently also filming for the return of BBC drama Waterloo Road, admits the strenuous schedule has already left her in need of physiotherapy after pushing her body to the limits.
But the training has had a marked impact on her physique, while bringing joy to her parents who have been facing a difficult time in recent years after her dad, Dave, was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer.
She explains: “This is like nothing I have done before, ever. I can’t believe how hard it is.
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“Until last year when I had to have a hernia repair I was really quite fit, I used to run a lot, I did weight training, but then that all stopped after my op.
“Now this is so physically demanding — nine to five dancing and repeating it over and over again.
"The amount you sweat is unbelievable and I can already feel my body changing physically, and becoming a lot fitter.
“I’ve danced before in Hear’Say – but that was 2001 and, let’s be honest, I was a youngster with a lot more energy. And this is totally different to that, this is serious dancing.
“I’ve already needed physio — my legs hurt and they’ve had to help me roll it out.
“This week it’s the Charleston and my body already hurts. It is very physically demanding but I’m loving the glamour of it.
“That’s all part of the experience and you have to embrace it.
"I’m happy for them to dress me in anything. It’s exciting and it makes you feel great and Scott loves it.
"He’s been along twice already, he’s pretty happy with the whole Strictly look.”
Kym’s dad’s illness threatened to hamper the family’s enjoyment of the experience but the ex-Corrie actress, 46, says bringing her parents along to her first night was a major highlight.
“Dad and Mum were so thrilled to be there. My dad has just started new cancer treatment and we weren’t sure if he would be able to make it there or not as his immune system is lower at the moment, but we were delighted he was there.
“He loved every second of it and my mum’s face just lit up. Dad is so bad on his legs now I was so pleased he was able to come down and make the journey.
“They had a total ball and I was really proud to be able to have them there with me.
“It is great fun but it’s very intense. You feel exhausted from it. I think that is because I am working as well at the same time, doing Waterloo Road and Morning Live.
“If I had just Strictly to do I wouldn’t feel as tired, but I was picked up at 6.15am this morning, I’ve just finished Waterloo Road and now it’s training before heading to London tonight. That and juggling family.
“My daughter Polly is 11, so I still have to look after her and do the washing and the cooking obviously so it is full on but it is great.
“She wasn’t really into it at first, she’s at an age where she is too cool for school — it’s not like when I was 11.
“Polly is one of those girls who likes bands and won’t wear a pretty dress. She is desperate to grow up.
“But now I’m on it she has been watching it and she loves it.
“She came to the rehearsals as she is not allowed to go to the live show as she is under 14, but she loved every second she was there. I think she was overwhelmed.
“But I’m concerned she will vote for Will Mellor as she’s definitely got a bit of a crush — although I think he is the whole nation’s new crush.
"Everyone has fallen in love with him. But my daughter definitely has a bit of a soft spot for him.”
Despite her pop-star background, Kym admits she has been disappointed with her scores from the show’s judges, particular infamous “Mr Nasty” Craig Revel Horwood who was damning in his assessments of her early efforts.
She explains: “You don’t know what to expect. I don’t know what they are looking for.
"I think the first week was disappointing with Craig’s score but I don’t really know.
“I am not a professional dancer, I have no idea. I can just do better next time I guess?
“People say I’ve got a bit of dance experience but it’s so different — this really doesn’t compare at all with anything I’ve ever done before.”
Fortunately, she has friend and co-star Graziano on hand to push her to her limits — though she admits she has almost adopted her into her family as well as training together after he moved up north to be close to her for daily training.
The pair already knew each other after he became a regular on her Morning Live daytime show, but she says he has no qualms over pushing her hard despite their friendship.
She says: “Graziano is great. I knew him before, and his wife.
“He is an Italian boy who is used to big families so one day a week we do something with my family as he misses his own so much.
“He’s not there every night as that would do my head in.
“We have to have space from one another as we have spent so much time together in the rehearsal room.
“If we didn’t get on it would be awful.
“He is a good teacher, he does push me but I just take the mick out of him.
“I asked him if he’d ever had a sausage dinner and he looked at me as if I had said something awful — it was really funny.
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“He’s even trying to pick up a northern accent from me.
“He’s tough, but he’d never shout at me . . . he wouldn’t dare.”
