Kym Marsh has shared a romantic photo of herself and her co-star, declaring that she's met the "most amazing man ever".
The former Coronation Street actress, 48, posted a picture on Instagram where she is seen sharing a kiss with her 101 Dalmatians - The Musical co-star Samuel Thomas, referring to him as the "most amazing man".
In the caption for the post, the 48 year old wrote: "Met the most amazing man ever! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. @samuelthomasuk I love you #beautiful #soulmate #loveyou".
Currently, Kym and Samuel, who is 29, are starring in the UK and Ireland tour of the hit musical 101 Dalmatians. In the production, Kym takes on the role of Cruella de Vil, while Samuel plays Tom Dearly.
Samuel, who stands at 6ft tall, has had several stage roles over the years, including in The Normal Heart at The National Theatre. He even bagged the award for Best Actor in a Musical at The Stage Debut Awards in 2017 for his performance in Allegro at Southwark Playhouse.
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In another post on his own Instagram account, Samuel expressed his affection for Kym by sharing a black and white photo of them touching foreheads. "I didn't expect you, but here you are. I love you," he penned alongside a red heart emoji. Returning the sentiment, Kym responded: "Ditto. The best things happen unexpectedly. Love you too."
The unexpected romance comes just one year after Kym famously split from her Army Major husband Scott Ratcliffe, following a whirlwind two year marriage. The couple originally tied the knot in October 2021 as part of a romantic ceremony involving 150 guests.
However, despite a promising beginning, the couple later parted ways in May 2023, just 19 months after first saying “I do.” Reflecting on her failed marriage with The Guardian, the soap star said: "It's just experience." She added: "I think I am a risk-taker because ‘What if?’ is always worse."
She continued: "Comfortable is not good. I always want to be that person who has a go, because I wouldn’t want to sit there years down the line and say: ‘I wonder what would have happened if …?’”
Prior to marrying Scott, Kym had also enjoyed a string of high profile romances with several popular celebrities, including former EastEnders star Jack Ryder, who she fell for after meeting in a BBC canteen!
The singer reportedly fell for the Jamie Mitchell actor back in 2001, when she bumped into him in the staff canteen following a Top of the Pops performance. Clearly smitten with each other, the pair began to date, before later going on to tie the knot at St. Albans parish church, Hertford, in August 2002.
The couple enjoyed six years together before deciding to bring their relationship to an end in 2008. Their divorce was finalised in 2009.
In addition to her romance with Jack, Kym also fell head over heels for another soap star, this time from rival soap Hollyoaks. Kym began dating Chester badboy Jamie Lomas, shortly after her divorce in 2009, and within a year fell pregnant.
Sadly, in a heartbreaking twist, at just 21 weeks she went into labour because of a condition that meant her body was rejecting the baby. This meant that her son Archie sadly died just minutes after being born.
Although the couple mourned the loss of their child, they managed to make it through and even went on to welcome a daughter named Polly in March 2011. Following her safe arrival, the couple decided to marry in September 2012, but the couple were later divorced by 2014.
In a third soap star twist, Kym also briefly dated her Coronation Street co-star Oliver Mellor in 2013 but it wasn’t to be. After they split he told the Mirror : "We planned a future together. We loved each other and we weren’t afraid to say it.
"It wasn’t something we intended to happen, but we couldn’t stop our feelings."
Oliver later went on to marry lingerie model Rhian Sugden, with the pair still going strong now.
As well as her famous flings, Kym also enjoyed a romance with her first love, Dave Cunliffe, the father of her children David and Emily, after meeting him in a karaoke pub in her hometown back in 1994.
The pair had initially intended to get married, but despite being engaged, opted to end their relationship in 1999, a year after daughter Emily was born.
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