Kym’s a great listener but I’ll definitely drive her to drink

Gethin Jones on his new presenting partner, the comparisons to Phil and Holly and looking for love

We thought we’d seen it all when it comes to TV presenting pairs – from This Morning’s giggly besties Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield to those warring frenemies Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan on GMB.

But there are two new kids on the block out to steal their daytime crowns now that Kym Marsh and Gethin Jones have joined forces to front a new lifestyle show, BBC One’s Morning Live.

After being in their company for five minutes, it doesn’t take a genius to work out why former Coronation Street star Kym, 44, and presenter Gethin, 42, are a match made in TV heaven. With genuine warmth and sibling-style banter, the duo have carved out a new niche on the small screen.

Here, Kym, who is in a relationship with Scott Ratcliff, and single Gethin chat about how their shared sense of humour comes in handy at work and why Gethin thinks Kym would be perfect for next year’s Strictly…

So how does it feel to be TV’s latest power couple?

Gethin: I don’t know about that. I’m so glad the show’s been well received, but we’ve only just started. We’re learning loads and trying to get better every day. Kym: I still feel like the new girl, whereas Gethin’s been a presenter for years. Gethin: Erm, I’m not that old.

How well did you know each other beforehand?

Kym: Geth and I had met in the past. I knew who he was and we’d said hello in passing, but we didn’t really know each other. Gethin: On the first show, we had a guest talking about washing your facemasks. She said, ‘You need to give your facemask a jolly good pummelling’. At which point, me and Kym started rolling around laughing. I looked at Kym and thought, ‘This is going to be fine’. To have the same sense of humour is key.

Did you have a bonding night out before working together?

Kym: Ordinarily I’m sure we would have, but logistically we were at opposite ends of the country. And with Covid, there was no chance to meet up. We went in cold, so there is always that worry.

The worry that you turn up and the other one is a massive diva?

Gethin: Don’t answer that Kym – I forbid you to answer that question. Kym: Well, the rumours are all true. No, I’m joking but it is always a worry – and because I’m a newbie I was worried that Geth might look at me and think, ‘Why are you here?’ Of course, he’s not and he’s been brilliant, supportive and the lovely man that he is. Gethin: OK, if we’re doing niceties, I’ve learnt lots from Kym. She’s one of life’s listeners and so lovely to work with.

How did you both celebrate when you got the job?

Gethin: I’m really, really bad at celebrating. This might sound cheesy but I just feel very privileged to be going to work at the moment. My sister works in the Covid ward in Cardiff, my parents are shielding and my dad’s got a lot of lung problems. I said to Kym the other day, “If we get to 19 December and people have watched and engaged, then I might allow myself to have a glass of red wine with you’. Kym: I relocated to London to do this. My kids were really sweet and very proud of me and gave me a bit of a send-off. My daughter baked me a cake with BBC on it and we had some no-secco. In the first lockdown, I drank my own body weight in prosecco, so sober October was necessary. Gethin: If she didn’t need a drink after that, she’ll definitely need a drink after working with me on live TV.

How do you feel about being compared to Holly and Phil?

Gethin: I just don’t see that. Morning Live offers something different. The options elsewhere are brilliant. Holly and Phil are fantastic, Lorraine Kelly is the queen of what she does. But the idea of our show is to offer something different and topical because of the situation we’re in at the moment. Gethin, you’re also part of Strictly: It Takes Two. Will you be putting a good word in for Kym when it comes to the main show? Gethin: I’ve signed her up for next year. It’s a done deal. Seriously, I want Kym to do it.She’d be phenomenal. She even points her toes when she crosses her legs, so it means she’s going to be an amazing dancer. Kym: If there’s one reality show I’d want to do, it would be Strictly, but I don’t know if it would be right for me. Gethin: I can show you everything you need to know.

I’m not saying no but we’ll see.

Kym: Kym, do you miss being in Coronation Street?

Kym: I left Corrie because I wanted to do something different. I played a character for 13 years and thought, ‘I’d like something else that’s going to challenge me’. And I have certainly been given that. But I do miss the people. I’m fortunate because I still keep in touch with everyone and I’m still in the group WhatsApp. There are people in that cast who are my best mates and always will be.

Gethin you recently tricked everyone into