Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kym Marsh to miss Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday

Former ‘Coronation Street’ actor and Hear’Say star is expected to return to the competition next week

Nicole Vassell
Tuesday 22 November 2022 15:23 GMT
Comments
Fleur East scores perfect 40 for Couple's Choice routine on Strictly

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kym Marsh will not compete in the next episode of Strictly Come Dancing after testing positive for Covid.

In a statement released by the BBC on Tuesday (22 November), the broadcaster announced that the former Coronation Street actor and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima will be absent from Saturday’s (26 November) show.

“Kym Marsh has tested positive for Covid-19,” the message begins. “As a result, Kym and Graziano will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.”

A spokesperson confirmed to The Independent that the programme is set to continue as usual, meaning that one couple will still leave the competition after a public vote.

Including Marsh and Di Prima, there are seven couples remaining in the current season.

The most recent celebrity to leave the competition was Tyler West and his professional partner, Dianne Buswell, following a dance-off with Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu.

Marsh and Di Prima performed a paso doble to a Rihanna medley of “Only Girl in the World” and “We Found Love”, scoring a mark of 33 out of 40 from the judges.

Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima on Strictly Come Dancing
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima on Strictly Come Dancing (BBC/Guy Levy)

Although their score was the second-lowest on the leaderboard, just above Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe’s American Smooth routine, they escaped the dance-off and were revealed to be safe on Sunday’s results show (20 November).

Earlier this month, Marsh spoke out about how anxiety had impacted her time in the competition, claiming that a panic attack hours before a live show had almost led to her withdrawing.

“It just came over me, almost out of nowhere, and I couldn’t carry on,” she told The Sun, adding that she’d “always suffered” from panic attacks.

Strictly Come Dancing continues at 7.15pm on Saturday 26 November on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in