KYM: ‘Scott & I write eac other love letters t keep the magic ali

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh tells Closer about coping with a long-distance relationship and why she’s happier than ever

er colourful love life has H often hit the headlines – but now actress Kym Marsh says she’s happier than ever after finding her soulmate in Army Major Scott Ratcliff.

The pair have been dating for eight months and were introduced by their mutual pal, Corrie actor Antony Cotton, but their romance is not without its hurdles. As well as living 250 miles apart, with Kym based in Manchester and Scott in Colchester, Scott’s job keeps him out of the country for long periods of time. And Kym recently revealed he is heading back to Afghanistan soon for a six-month tour of duty.

Now Kym, who was reunited with Scott last month after eight weeks apart, tells Closer that it’s tough being in a long-distance relationship – but she still wouldn’t change a thing.

“We’ve had a two-month separation because Scott had just got back from a training exercise in Kenya,” she reveals.

TOUGH LOVE

“Scott and I have been together for eight months now and I have only just experienced him being away and it is hard. But I think you support each other through having a shared experience where you’re apart and missing each other. He is due to go back to Afghanistan later this year for six months. It is tough, but I know we can make it work and we will be fine.”

Kym, who has worked on Corrie for 12 years, still has her hectic schedule on the soap playing Michelle Connor, while Scott’s job is totally different – but it doesn’t stop them from planning a future together.

The 42-year-old star admits, “I am the one who sits at home watching Corrie and eating chocolate and Scott is the one out there doing stuff that potentially might put him in danger, and living/sleeping on the ground. So actually, I have the easier part I think, although he would say not!”

LEARNING LESSONS

The soap star has revealed how Corrie co-star and pal Antony introduced the pair over the phone. Kym and Scott then met up in person and she says the relationship unfolded “organically.”

The mum of four has had an eventful love life. She married ex- Eastenders actor Jack Ryder in 2002, but the pair divorced seven years later after he cited her adultery with Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas. She then went on to marry Jamie in 2012, but they divorced two years later. Kym then dated fellow Corrie star Oliver Mellor, followed by personal trainers Dan Hooper and Matt Baker.

But the actress split with Matt last April, after two years together.

While the pair never had any children together, Kym is mum to, David, 23, and Emily, 21, with builder David Cunliffe and has daughter Polly, seven, with Jamie. Their son Archie tragically died moments after his premature birth in 2009.

When she turned 40, Kym revealed that she felt much happier within herself and said, “You really don’t know what the future holds, but I’m so chilled about everything so I feel happier than ever, really. In the past, I’ve made the mistake of rushing into relationships, but I’ve learned my lesson.”

And Kym says she and Scott work hard to keep the magic alive while he’s overseas, writing love letters for each other to open on the days they’d normally spend together.

She says, “When Scott was away, we wrote each other