This Morning viewers have slammed the producers of a new Take That musical for claiming that two of the main cast members only got parts because they have famous parents.
Regan Gascoigne, 27, the son of Geordie football legend Paul, and Emilie Cunliffe, the daughter of Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, both star in the West End production Greatest Days – a celebration of the iconic boy band’s back catalog of hits.
The pair were on hand to discuss their respective roles with co-hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on Tuesday’s show as the musical prepares for an extensive tour of the UK and Ireland.
But the TV appearance divided viewers, with the ongoing fake baby debate resurfacing after little-known singer and actress Emilie, 25, revealed that her soap star mom also stars in the same musical.
She explained, “I play young Rachel, who is 16 years old in high school and obsessed with this boy band, with her group of friends, and then my mom plays the older Rachel.” It’s crazy.’
Not happy: Viewers of This Morning have criticized the producers of a new Take That musical by claiming that Emily Cunliffe and Regan Gascoigne only got roles because they have famous parents
Co-star: Emily stars in the musical as a younger version of Rachel, a character played by her famous mother Kym Marsh (pictured during rehearsals)
Emilie, a mother of two who is expected to release a solo album later this year, added: ‘It’s nice for me to have part of my family with me because I have my two kids at home.
“We’re not really together much because of course we do the younger part and then the older part. It’s fun. It’s crazy to take my mom to work, or she’ll take me to work.’
One skeptical viewer wrote on Twitter, “Kym Marsh’s daughter gets a job on the same show as Kym Marsh, wonder how that happened.”
A second quipped, “You can’t beat a little brazen nepotism,” while a third added, “Always nice to have a little bit of appeal in the game.”
Elsewhere, a fourth remarked, “I wonder how she got that gig, and then Miss Marsh Jr..”
Others were quick to comment on Regan’s resemblance to his father, a football icon who played with distinction for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, SS Lazio, Rangers and England.
A viewer saw their facial expressions on social media and wrote, “Regan really does look like his dad.”
A second quipped, “Where’s his Geordie accent, thought Gazza was his dad?”
Let’s Talk: The pair were on hand to discuss their respective roles with co-hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on Tuesday’s episode of This Morning
Lookalikes: Regan bore a striking resemblance to footballer dad Paul Gascoigne, who played with distinction for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, SS Lazio, Rangers and England
Close: Emilie, a mother of two who is expected to release a solo album later this year, admitted it was comforting to have her mother close by
Not impressed: Skeptical viewers took to Twitter during the interview, with many venturing into the ongoing fake baby debate
Never Forget: Regan (far right) joined his castmates for a performance after his interview
Speaking about working together during an appearance on Loose Women in March, Emilie said, “It’s really good, you know, the whole cast is great, and we’re having fun, going to work with my mum.”
Her famous mother Kym played Michelle Connor in Coronation Street between 2006 and 2019 and was involved in dramatic storylines such as the death of her brothers, surviving a bus accident and realizing that her son was switched at birth.
But the actress said she won’t be returning to the cobblestones any time soon, despite her iconic recurring role.
She said, “No plans right now, I’ll always love that show and it was my start, but I’ve got so much to do.”
“At some point I’d like to walk the cobblestones, but I’m too busy right now.”
Kym’s recent schedule has been packed as she rehearses for Take That, starred in the most recent season of Strictly Come Dancing and also appeared in the BBC’s Waterloo Road revival.
Joining in: Some viewers were quick to notice the differences and similarities Regan and his famous father Paul shared
Taking center stage: Regan is performing across the UK and Ireland with the Take That-inspired musical