Kym Marsh was forced to defend her new relationship on Sunday evening after cynical Instagram followers savaged the actress for dating a man who is the same age as her son.
The mother-of-three, 48, confirmed she has found love with fellow actor Samuel Thomas, her co-star in a touring production of 101 Dalmatians.
At 29, Thomas – who she refers to as ‘the most amazing man ever’ – is the same age as her eldest child, 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… he looks like your son.’
Kym Marsh was forced to defend her new relationship on Sunday evening after cynical Instagram followers savaged the actress for dating a man who is the same age as her son
Kym (far right) with son David (left) and daughter Emilie (centre) at the Pride Of Britain Awards in 2023
A second added: ‘He looks like your son! Kym I like you but keep it private.’
Responding to the posts, the actress – whose third marriage ended just 13-months ago – snapped: ‘do one.’
New boyfriend Thomas also weighed in, adding: ‘I wonder what’s missing from your life that you need to comment on others. Sad really.’
Kym revealed she’s found love with her younger co-star on Sunday evening.
‘Met the most amazing man ever! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. @samuelthomasuk I love you #beautiful #soulmate #loveyou,’ she captioned the post.
Samuel commented: ‘I love you.’
Sharing a black and white photo to his own Instagram account, he wrote: ‘I didn’t expect you, but here you are. I love you.’
‘Ditto. The best things happen unexpectedly. Love you too,’ Kym responded:
Both mother-of-three Kym and her new boyfriend responded after followers poked fun at Thomas 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
‘Met the most amazing man ever! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. I love you #beautiful #soulmate #loveyou,’ she captioned the post
Long before she became a household name, aspiring actress and singer Kym met David, a local builder, during a night out at a karaoke pub in her hometown of Garswood, Lancashire.
The couple soon became engaged and would go on to welcome two children, David, 29, and Emilie, 27, before separating in 1999, shortly before Kym found fame as a contestant on TV talent show Popstars.
Two years later Kym was making an appearance on Top Of The Pops with pop group Hear’Say when she crossed paths with Jack Ryder, a household 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 pictures to OK! magazine for a reported £300,000.
But seven years later it was all over, with Jack filing for divorce on the grounds of adultery following her apparent fling with second-husband-in-waiting Jamie Lomas
Friends initially feared Kym had rushed into the relationship with Jamie when they started dating just four months after she split from husband Jack.
The pair first met on a train as they made their way to the 2007 TV Quick Awards before developing a romance in July 2008 – a year before her divorce.
They had been together less than two months when Kym fell pregnant with their first child.
Tragically their son Archie Jay died moments after being born 18-weeks early on February 11.
The couple had happier news when they welcomed daughter Polly in March 2011.
They wed in September 2012 but were divorced by 2014, with Kym said to be stunned by Jamie’s decision to break it off.
Samuel shared his own loving tribute to his new partner after confirming the relationship on Sunday evening
The actress, 48, met Samuel, 29, while starring in 101 Dalmatians The Musical (pictured at the press night in June)
She remarried for a third time to Scott Ratcliff back in 2021.
The pair split 13 months following their wedding when Kym filed for divorce citing unreasonable behaviour.
The couple were said to have broken up following a trial separation, due to work keeping them apart.
A source told The Sun: ‘They both really tried to make it work, but the cracks have been there for a while and they were only getting to see each other for one or two days a week at the very most.
‘Kym’s been so busy, and last year (being on Strictly Come Dancing) meant even her weekends were stacked up along with weekdays rehearsing, more recently she’s been filming all over the place and rehearsing for a new theatre run.’
Adding about how Army Major Scott’s work drove a wedge between him and Kym, the insider said: ‘Scott is based in barracks down south – he’s got a very busy career as well. Kym’s still a working mum, too, and lives up in Cheshire with her family.
‘In the end it was the fact they lived so far away from each other that just made it impossible.’
The source said the pair ‘had a trial separation’ and were ‘hoping to get things back on track’, but added they have decided ‘it’s best to go their separate ways’.
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 2002–2009
She married for a third time to Scott Ratcliff in 2021. The pair split 13 months following their wedding when Kym filed for divorce citing unreasonable behaviour (pictured in January)