Strictly’s Kym Marsh discusses her ‘scary’ battle with Covid

Kym Marsh has spoken about her upset over having to watch Strictly Come Dancing from home last week after being hit with COVID.

The 46-year-old former Corrie actress, who returned to training this week, joked that she had “traded the sequins for bandanas” during her appearance on Thursday’s It Takes Two alongside fellow pro Graziano Di Prima, 28.

She told host Janette Manrara: ‘[Watching from home] It was so weird, I was so FOMO (fear of missing out), I traded the sequins for scarves.”

I saw him with two handkerchiefs stuffed into his nostrils.

Graziano added: “He called me sick from bed and I told him ‘later…later’.

The duo went on to reveal that they will be dancing the Cha Cha Cha to Irene Cara’s hit song Fame during musical week on Saturday.

Kym said: ‘I’m delighted, it’s one of my favorite songs. It takes me back to being a kid, I can’t wait to do all that 80s stuff, put on the spandex.

She laughed: “In training, I’m wearing my headband and leg warmers.”

While Twinkle Toes, Graziano praised his partner, adding: ‘She’s going to do it; she loves the 80s and the songs’.

‘We’re having fun, I said, ‘this is for you, you’ve been sick and now we’re back, so enjoy every second, enjoy the dance.’

On Monday, Kym gave an update on her health on Morning Live saying: ‘Beginning of the week I got sick with Covid. That was rubbish. Fortunately, I am testing negative now.

He added that the past week had been “terrifying” as his father, who was recently diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer, suffered a health problem.

Kym said of her father: ‘Dad went to the hospital during the week and I haven’t been able to see him. I tested negative and was able to see him but he was very scary for a couple of days. It’s been a full plate on our part.

Graziano admitted that it was the “Hardest” to watch Strictly from home, as it also appeared via video link.

He said: ‘I can not wait to see you. We take it for granted that we spend so much time together. Being apart for a week has been strange.

Last week, a Strictly spokesperson confirmed that Kym would not participate this week as a result of the virus.

They told MailOnline: ‘Kym Marsh has tested positive for Covid-19. As a result, Kym and Graziano will not be participating in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

“Come Dancing’s strict protocols mean that, if all goes well, they’ll be back the following week.”

And the announcement came just two weeks after Kym admitted that she almost quit the show after suffering a crippling panic attack just hours before the live show.

The TV star was said to have broken down in tears before being comforted by Graziano before a live show that aired last month.

Former Coronation Street actress Kym, who is said to have considered leaving the pageant due to her overwhelming anxiety, told The Sun: “It came to me, almost out of the blue, and I couldn’t go on.”

It is claimed that Kym had trouble continuing to dance, leading the producers to comfort her as she calmed down, and hours later she returned to the floor during the live show and completed her dance.

Former Hear’Say singer Kym added: “I’ve always suffered from panic attacks. It’s something I don’t mind talking about because I know it can affect anyone at any time.

‘Sometimes years have passed (since an attack) and then suddenly one just hits.

“Everyone thinks that because you’re on TV you have to be incredibly confident, but the truth is I’m not always and that’s how it comes out.”

She added that she didn’t know what triggered the panic attack, assuming it could have been that she had received some harsh comments from the judges combined with the fact that she had also been working other jobs, leaving her emotional and exhausted.

Kym said she “completely lost her confidence” and “fell apart”, admitting she didn’t see how she could continue with the show.

Despite receiving therapy in an attempt to control her anxiety, Kym said she can still ‘muggle’ into it.

Kym revealed that his father’s diagnosis of incurable prostate cancer was the reason he decided to join Strictly Come Dancing this year.

The TV personality admitted that “we just don’t know what’s going to happen,” and wants to make things that you can come see.

While the actress also shared that she had been asked to join the competition before but turned it down.

Kym shared the heartbreaking news that her father, David, had been diagnosed with the disease in 2021.

David is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, and Kym told MailOnline: “We don’t know how long my dad will be around, but we know he’s not well.”

“So I just want to do things that I know he’s going to want me to do and want to come see.” Especially something so joyful,” she explained.

Kym, who married Army Major Scott Ratcliff last year, admitted that she was asked to do the show in previous years but turned it down.

But with the future unknown and Scott potentially returning to the military, the actress decided to do the show “while she can” and with the support of her family.

‘My husband is in the military and could be deployed again next year, so just think ‘let’s get things done while we can.’