Kym Marsh’s dad’s cancer diagnosis inspired her to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing: ‘It makes you look at things differently’-Jess Bacon-Entertainment – Metro

Kym Marsh has opened up about the reason she decided to take part in Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: BBC/ Rex)

Kym Marsh has revealed her heart-breaking personal motivation to take part in Strictly Come Dancing, her dad’s cancer diagnosis. 

The former Coronation Street actress was left devastated when her father, Dave, 77, was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer last year. 

The 46-year-old said his illness completely changed her perspective on life and inspired her to seize opportunities, including the chance to take part in the BBC One dance competition. 

She told The Sun: ‘Since he was diagnosed last March I’ve just decided to grab everything while I can.

‘Without being melancholy, we don’t know how long we’ve got him for, so you’ve got to make the best of these situations.’

Kym said that her father has also encouraged her to live her own life to the full as you ‘never know what’s round the corner.’ 

Kym revealed that she joined the 2022 line-up as she wants to ‘grab’ opportunities with both hands, after her dad’s cancer diagnosis (Picture: PA)

‘My dad’s diagnosis does change things. He’s been telling me for years, “You never know what’s around the corner, so grab things with both hands”,’ she explained.

‘But you don’t think about that until an event happens. It makes you look at things differently.’

Kym added that she did not imagine she would ever return to reality TV, after she rose to fame on Popstars in 2001. 

Kym’s dad, Dave, was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in 2021 and has encouraged Kym to live her life to the full (Picture: Instagram / Kym Marsh)

‘Did I think when I did Popstars 22 years ago that I’d still be here, performing on a show like this one? Absolutely not,’ she revealed.

‘And really, I’m setting a foot back into the reality world.’

Alongside Strictly, Kym said she had been approached about ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here before, but she hadn’t been interested.  

‘I’ve been asked to do I’m A Celebrity… and other shows over the years but this is the one show that I always said I wanted to do,’ she stated.  

More: Trending

Instead, Kym wants to push her dancing skills to a whole new level, from ‘prancing around’ in Hear’Say to nailing the technicalities of ballroom and Latin dances. 

She said: ‘It would be great if I could inspire people by going on the show. It’s great to do things that are out of your comfort zone to test yourself, because we’re not used to this.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Coronation Street and Strictly star Kym Marsh welcomes second grandchild in heart warming post

MORE : Who is Kym Marsh as she joins Strictly 2022 line up? Age, husband, Corrie role and more

Entertainment – MetroRead More