STRICTLY star Kym Marsh has broken her silence as she appeared on It Takes Two for the first time after being struck down with coronavirus.
The actress, 46, returned to training this week and will be back on our screens tomorrow night as she and pro partner Graziano, 28, perform a Cha Cha Cha for Musicals Week.
Kym joined host host Janette Manrara on the spin-off show on Thursday night.
The presenter asked Kym what it was like to watch the show from home last week.
The former Corrie star replied: “It was so weird, I had such FOMO, I swapped sequins for tissues.
“I watched it with two tissues stuck up my nostrils.”
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Graziano added: “She called me sick from bed and I told her ‘later…later’.”
The duo will be dancing to Irene Cara’s hit song Fame.
An excited Kym said: “I am delighted, it is one of my favourite songs.
“It takes me right back to being a kid, I can’t wait to do the whole 80s thing, get on my lycra.
“In training, I’m wearing my headband and leg warmers.”
Graziano said:” She’s going for it; she loves the 80s and the songs.
“We are having fun, I said to her, ‘this is for you you’ve been sick and now we’re back, so enjoy every second of it, enjoy the dance’.”
Kym added: “Honestly, I’ve enjoyed every second of it, it’s been amazing.
“I’ve loved being around the group and the dancers around, it gives that camaraderie.
“Actually, where we should be feeling real pressure right now, we’re actually not because we are just going out there and have the best time ever.
“If it’s the last time we dance, then it’s the last time we dance but we’re doing it on a high.”
The duo were spotted in rehearsals earlier this week as they reunited for the first time since Kym’s Covid illness.
Sharing a picture of herself and Graziano on Instagram, she excitedly told her followers: “FINALLY back with this one!
“We are so grateful to be able to dance this week, and to the most iconic musical ‘FAME’.
“Thank you for all of your support and get well wishes, truly means the world.”
Kym was given a free pass to the quarter final – which is also Musicals Week – after testing positive for Covid-19.
She and Graziano were forced to pull out of last weekend’s show as a result of her catching the virus during the Strictly Blackpool special.
Seven of the show’s crew also tested positive and it came following a cast and staff party at the end of the weekend.
A Strictly spokesman said at the time: “The health and wellbeing of all involved in Strictly is production’s absolute priority.
“We have out own Covid protocols in place and continue to monitor government guidelines.”
But not everyone was happy with the decision to put Kym and Graziano straight through to the BBC show’s quarter final.
Taking to Twitter to complain, one person wrote: “I know Kym Marsh can’t help being ill, but at this stage in the competition, I don’t think it’s fair that she gets a pass through to next week #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Someone else said: “Nobody should go this week. Its unfair that Kym Marsh gets a free pass to next week. What if she tests positive again next week???”
Strictly Come Dancing’s main show will air this week on Friday at 8pm instead of Saturday due to the World Cup.
The Results Show will follow on Saturday evening at 5.40pm.
