Kym Marsh was forced to defend her new relationship on Sunday night after cynical Instagram followers criticized 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 actor Samuel Thomas, her co-star in a touring production of 101 Dalmatians.
Thomas, 29, who she calls “the most amazing man ever,” is the same age as her eldest child, David Cunliffe.
And Instagram followers were quick to spot the connection after Kym announced her latest romance by describing Thomas as her “soulmate.”
One unimpressed follower wrote the following in a comment on the post: ‘Jesus… Another amazing man… Five minutes of wonder… He looks like your son.’
Kym Marsh was forced to defend her new relationship on Sunday night after cynical Instagram followers slammed 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 keep it private.’
Kym, whose third marriage ended just 13 months ago, responded to the messages with: ‘Do one.’
New friend Thomas also weighed in, adding, “I wonder what’s missing in your life that you have to comment on others. Really sad.”
Kym Marsh has revealed she has found love with her co-star Samuel Thomas, sharing a loved-up photo on Sunday.
The 48-year-old actress met 29-year-old Samuel during his role in the musical 101 Dalmatians and called her partner her “soulmate” when they kissed.
Kym, who divorced her third husband 13 months ago, kissed Samuel in a photo booth for the Instagram update, calling him “the most amazing man ever”.
“The most amazing man ever met! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. @samuelthomasuk I love you #beautiful #soulmate #loveyou,” she captioned the post.
Samuel said, “I love you.”
Both mother-of-three Kym and her new boyfriend responded after followers ridiculed Thomas for being 29 – the same age as her eldest child
Kym confirmed she has found love with fellow actor Samuel Thomas, her co-star in a touring production of 101 Dalmatians
“The most amazing man ever met! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. I love you #beautiful #soulmate #loveyou,” she captioned the post
He shared a black-and-white photo on his own Instagram account, writing: “I wasn’t expecting you but here you are. I love you.”
“Ditto. The best things happen unexpectedly. Love you too,” Kym replied:
The singer was previously married to Oak trees star Jamie Lomas, 48, from 2012 to 2014 and they have one child 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.
In 2021, she remarried for the third time to Scott Ratcliff.
The couple split 13 months after their wedding, when Kym filed for divorce on grounds of unreasonable behaviour.
The couple reportedly split after a trial separation because their work kept them apart.
A source said The sun: ‘They both really tried hard to make it work, but the cracks had been there for a while and they only saw each other once or twice a week at most.
Samuel shared his own loving tribute to his new partner after confirming the relationship on Sunday evening
The actress, 48, met Samuel, 29, during her role in 101 Dalmatians The Musical (pictured at the press night in June)
‘Kym has been so busy, and last year (when she was on Strictly Come Dancing) even her weekends were jammed with rehearsal days during the week. Lately she’s been filming everywhere and rehearsing for a new theatre show.’
The insider added how Major Scott’s Army work had driven a wedge between him and Kym, saying: ‘Scott is stationed in a barracks down south – he also has a very busy career. Kym is also still a working mother and lives in Cheshire with her family.
‘Ultimately, it was the fact that they lived so far apart that made it impossible.’
The source said the couple had been “having a trial separation” and were “hoping to get things back on track,” but added that they have decided “it’s best to go our separate ways.”
In January last year, Kym revealed that Scott was being sent away for two weeks, two days after their October 2021 wedding. She said it was “not what she expected” and described life as a military wife as “pretty grim” because of the distance.
She admitted that, in addition to the stress of the distance, the danger of his job exacerbated the problem. She was worried about the war.
She said: ‘There’s always fear and stress when he leaves.
“There may not be a real threat of war at the moment, but there is always a risk when you are in these kinds of dangerous places.”
As well as her assessment of the distance in their lives, she also spoke about the anxiety Strictly had caused her. The training coincided with Scott’s time in the Parachute Regiment, meaning the pair rarely saw each other.
Kym plays the role of Cruella de Vil in the musical performance 101 Dalmatians.
The musical, written by Douglas Hodge and Johnny McKnight, opened in June with a tour 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, Polly, 13 (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 in 2021 to Scott Ratcliff. The couple separated 13 months after their wedding when Kym filed for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behavior (pictured in January 2023)
Kym said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the cast of 101 Dalmatians and playing the iconic Cruella De Vil. Has there ever been a more awesome villain?!’
She continued: ‘Of course, she’s a million miles away from me in real life – and my dogs are very happy about that – but it’s a real joy to be able to bring my version of this famous character to life.
‘Douglas and Johnny have written this brilliant new musical, full of songs that I am already softly humming. The story of 101 Dalmatians spans generations and I know that young and old will love this production.’
It’s been a difficult few months for Kym, whose beloved father passed away earlier this year.
The former Coronation Street star has a close bond with her father, who died in January at the age of 78 from prostate cancer.