Coronation Street’s Kym Marsh reveals ‘horrific’ cancer scare

The actress is urging women to have their smear test

Kym Marsh

by Marianna Manson |
Updated on

Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh has opened about a cancer scare she had ten years ago, as she encourages other women to go for their smear tests.

It comes after the mum-of-three implored her fans to take the tests seriously on her Twitter page, during Cervical Cancer Prevention week earlier this month. Speaking to OK! Magazine, Kym said that the death of Jade Goody from cervical cancer during the same year encouraged her to go for the test.

Kym, who plays the role of Michelle Connor in the hit ITV soap, told the publication, “I have one every year as I was diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells ten years ago. It was back in 2009 and it was the year I lost Archie – Archie died in the February and then Jade Goody passed away from cervical cancer in the March.

“A few months later, I had my first smear test after losing my son and that’s when I was diagnosed.

“It was horrific but I went and had the cells removed.”

Kym and then-partner Jamie Lomas’s son Archie was stillborn, and she went on to portray an identical storyline in Corrie for her character, for which she won a British Soap Award.

Check out all of this week's Coronation Street spoilers:

Gallery

Corrie spoilers: week 5 (slider)

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After discussing their options as a couple, Steve and Tracy have a major proposition for Amy.

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Despite his initial reservations, Steve tells Amy that if she does decide to cancel her termination, he'll support her no matter what.

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They offer to raise the baby as their own. Liz warns Steve and Tracy that taking on another child will be a huge commitment. Are they ready?

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As Evelyn prepares for her holiday with James, she noticed that Tyrone is being 'off' with her. Eventually, he tells her that James revealed it was Evelyn who abandoned him as a child, and not his mum.

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Despite how sorry she is, Tyrone is hurt and angrily tells her to enjoy her holiday before storming out. Evelyn appeals to Roy to speak to Tyrone.

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Finding him at the garage, Roy tells Tyrone not to turn his back on his grandmother, and speaks about his regret at leaving things how they were with Sylvia.

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Still sporting the black eye given to him by Adam, Seb explains the twins adoption hearing is tomorrow, and that without a full time job he has no chance of winning custody.

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Audrey is shocked and slightly offended when Nick and David refuse her expertise in setting up their new barber shop.

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As they discuss their plans at The Rovers, Sarah offers Gary's services in fitting the shop.

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Meanwhile, Abi and Eileen call at the yard to try and talk Seb out of his plans to adopt. Seb is furious, and an argument escalates.

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Things get so heated that they don't notice Gary turn up with a client, who decides to take his business elsewhere when he stumbles upon the row.

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In court, Seb lies and tells the judges he's in full time employment and can take care of the twins himself.

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But Abi knows it's not a good idea. Even though it breaks her heart, Abi tells the judges that Seb is lying, and it would better for the twins to remain with their foster parents.

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Seb feels betrayed by everyone. After Gary left him high and dry without a job, he vows to hurt him back.

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Seb tells Gary that Sarah spent the evening with Adam, and they kissed. How will they react?

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On Peter's request, Abi agrees to take a look at the boats engine and manages to fix it.

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But after the hearing, Peter can see how upset Abi is, and brings her back to the boat to comfort her – where he offers her a full time job on the boat.

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The pair of them discuss their colourful pasts and, bonding over their time in prison, they share a kiss.

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Annoyed, Carla heads to boat house to seek comfort from Peter, but arriving at the docks sees that a light on the boat is already on.

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Noticing Carla head into the factory, Peter tells Abi that it's too cold to sleep on the boat, and follows Carla inside.

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As they reminisce about their relationship, Peter goes in for a kiss. Will Carla kiss him back?

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Michelle is shocked to see Carla rudely snap at a client and tells her she is overworking herself.

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Billy takes Paul for a drink to thank him for his help. When Billy gets a message that Summer has lost her iPad Gemma immediately and publicly accuses Paul of stealing it.

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Elsewhere, Paul offers to help Billy sort out the donations for the church bring and buy sale.

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Despite being jealous of their blossoming relationship, Gemma . confides in Chesney and Emma that Paul took the rap for some things she has done in her past and has never let her forget it.

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A heartbroken Evelyn explains that his mother, Cassie, was a drug addict, and she'd believed leaving him on the steps of the police station was the best option.

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Sarah suggests that, by way of apology, Adam could represent him in court for free.

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Gary fires Seb on the spot. Desperate, Seb has an ultimatum for Sarah.

Speaking at the time, Kym said “It is a cause very close to my heart having lost my beautiful son Archie.

“It was a real challenge, and strange because you spend years trying to get away from it. Baby loss it still a taboo subject, it’s something that people don’t like to discuss. I have been there, I know how it feels to lose a child.”

Taking to her Twitter early this year, she wrote, 'It’s cervical cancer prevention week and I cannot stress enough how important it is to go get your smear test. It takes a few seconds and it may be uncomfortable and I guess to some embarrassing, but it could SAVE YOUR LIFE!! Heading for mine today. Go get yours! X.' [sic]

In other news, Kym is set to become a grandmother later in 2019, when her 21-year-old daughter Emilie Cunliffe confirming she's expecting a baby boy!

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