Coronation Street’s Kym Marsh has reportedly split from her soldier husband after just 18 months, and fans are speculating that the dreaded “Strictly curse” has struck once again. Kym, 46 – who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year alongside Graziano Di Prima, 28 – is said to be divorcing Army Major Scott Ratcliff, 35, after the strain of their careers became too hard to handle.
A source said last week, “Kym and Scott really tried to make it work, but the cracks have been there for a while. They just weren’t getting to see enough of each other.”
Revealing that Scott was based in military barracks down South while working mum Kym – was pictured this week at the Pride of Manchester not wearing her wedding ring – juggled her hectic life in Cheshire, they said, “Kym’s been so busy, and Strictly last year meant her weekends were stacked up along with weekdays rehearsing. They had a trial separation earlier this year and were hoping to get things back on track, but they’ve decided it’s best to go their separate ways.
“They’ve agreed it’s time to tell family and friends and focus on the future – which means filing for divorce. They’re hoping to keep things as amicable as possible.”
When it comes to marriage heartbreak, this isn’t Kym’s first. In 2009, the star divorced EastEnders actor Jack Ryder, 41, after seven years of marriage. In 2012, Kym married Hollyoak_s_ star Jamie Lomas, 48, before calling it quits two years later. During their time together, Jamie and Kym – who was already mum to David, 28, and Emilie, 26, from an earlier relationship – suffered the heartbreaking loss of their infant son Archie, who died within minutes of being born prematurely, before welcoming their daughter Polly, 12, in 2011.
The TV star appeared to have found her happy ending after meeting military man Scott – who is believed to be 12 years her junior – in 2018. The loved-up pair were introduced by Kym’s Corrie co-star Antony Cotton, before tying the knot during an intimate ceremony in October 2021. Paying tribute to her new husband, the Waterloo Road actress gushed, “This man is like no one I’ve ever met! I am one lucky lady.”
But while the pressure of hit TV show Strictly may have seen the end of one relationship for Kym, it saw the beginning of a great friendship. The star grew close to professional dance partner Graziano, 28, with the dancer telling Closer, “We started off with a real friendship. During Strictly, it’s crazy how much time you spend with the person. You don’t know them at the start, and then you’re spending 10 hours straight, every day with them! You don’t know anything about their life, and then it’s so intense.”
And talking about their bond now, Graziano exclusively tells Closer he’s grateful for his newfound friend. He adds, “It can be tricky, but I’m so lucky that my partners have been so humble. My friendship with Kym is precious – it’s for life! You want to have someone who wants to learn how to dance and have fun.”
During her time on the show, Kym was forced to hit back at rumours of behind-the-scenes tension, after her in-laws appeared in the audience looking less than impressed when she commented that it was difficult dancing with Graziano like “that” in front of them. At the time, she laughed off the awkwardness saying, “Good job we see the funny side,” before later saying her dance partner was “like a little brother.”
Insisting that his marriage to dancer Giada Lini, 32, won’t fall victim to the Strictly curse, which has seen a string of stars and dancers’ relationships end following the show, Graziano adds, “My wife does Dancing With The Stars in Italy. We’ve both got the same problem. Last year, she was dancing with a beautiful actor who was so handsome. We do have to trust each other. We are both dancers and we both get on with it. When it comes to my fans, they’re all very respectful.”
Graziano is choreographing new musical La Bamba!