Kym Marsh makes poignant gesture to late son and dad after devastating loss

Strictly: Kym Marsh dedicates dance to late son Archie

Coronation Street icon Kym Marsh braved her first festive season absent her beloved father David, honouring his memory alongside that of her son, Archie, who sadly died in 2009.

Morning Live host Kym, who rose to fame with pop group Hear'Say, faced the sorrow of her dad's passing in January, marking this Christmas and New Year's as particularly challenging. Her son Archie sadly died at just 21 weeks.

At 48, Kym offered an emotional glimpse to her followers with a video capturing the release of a helium balloon into the Christmas sky, bearing the inscription "Merry Christmas to Archie and dad."

Kym reminisced over her father, hailing him as a "much-loved husband, dad, granddad, great grandad and friend to many."

Prostate cancer claimed David's life, leaving his celebrity daughter heartbroken, yet she remained resolute in creating unforgettable moments with him till his final days, reports the Mirror.

Kym Marsh made an incredible gesture on Christmas Day (Image: Kym Marsh/Instagram)

Dutifully, she relayed the journey of her ailing father on Morning Live, including footage of his vibrant days performing at The Cavern Club in Liverpool the very stage once graced by The Beatles in the '60s.

The holiday period also echoes the grief of a past loss for Kym, reeling from the loss of baby Archie, who she shared with former spouse and actor Jamie Lomas, in 2009.

In homage to Baby Loss Awareness Week, Kym has previously taken to Instagram to post poignant images of Archie alongside flickering candles.

Kym lost her dad David this year (Image: Kym Marsh/Instagram)

At the time, she penned a heartfelt message: "Today we remember all of those babies who became angels far too soon, and all of the parents whose hearts remain broken. I am one of those parents. I am a mummy to an angel baby and I am forever grateful to have had him in my life no matter how short a time. Let's stand together, lift the taboo and break the silence of babyloss. Sending love to all #babylossawarenessday."

Kym's powerful performance as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street earned her a British Soap Award in 2017. She has spoken about how she drew on her own experience of grief following the stillbirth of her baby Archie to inform her portrayal of Michelle's emotional storylines, including the devastating loss of baby Ruari with Steve McDonald, played by soap stalwart Simon Gregson.