Kym Marsh Slams ‘So-Called Friends’ for Lack of Support After Cousin’s Death

Kym Marsh has hit out at pals she claims abandoned her during one of the toughest times of her life, after the death of her beloved cousin Carl.

The actress and TV presenter, 49, revealed her devastation as she said goodbye to Carl, describing him as ‘one of a kind’ and ‘the kindest, funniest, most unique person’ she had ever known. 

But alongside her heartfelt tribute, the former Coronation Street star hit out at those close to her who hadn’t reached out during her time of heartbreak.

Posting on Instagram Stories, Kym wrote: ‘Friends are the family you choose! Thank you so much to everyone who has checked in today to see how I am when I needed you the most! I love you all! Those that haven’t… you know who you are!’

She went on to share treasured memories of Carl, recalling childhood camping holidays, ‘endless laughs’ and his ‘loyalty’, adding: ‘I will miss you until the end of time.’ 

The Hear’Say singer said she knew her cousin would be telling her to ‘stop crying’ and keep going, but admitted nothing could stop her wishing she could be with family or make things better for them.

Kym did not reveal her cousin’s cause of death. 

Carl’s passing comes just days after Kym also lost her on-screen dad from Coronation Street, Irish acting legend Frank Grimes. 

The 82-year-old, who played Barry Connor in more than 50 episodes of the soap, died on August 1 surrounded by loved ones. 

Tributes have poured in from the Irish Cultural Centre in London, hailing him as ‘one of Ireland’s greatest actors’ with ‘Dublin wit, charm and a beautiful sparkle in his eyes.’

In a heartfelt post, they  announced his passing describing him as ‘so warm hearted, and full of Dublin wit and charm’.

They said: ‘It’s with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the ICC has to regretfully inform you that the great Irish actor FRANK GRIMES suddenly sadly passed away in the early hours of Friday morning, August 1st, after a very short illness, surrounded by his wife and family’.

‘Frank was undoubtedly one of Ireland’s greatest actors, he was a dearly loved friend of the ICC’s and over the past three decades, he trod the ICC’s stage on so many occasions. Anyone who saw Frank perform his riveting self-penned production “the he and the she of it…A Portrait of James Joyce”, will know what a thrilling, powerful, unforgettable performance it was!!’

‘Frank performed this superb tribute to his hero James Joyce, on whom he was an expert, three times at the ICC, and each time, every night he received standing ovations! Frank was a spell-binding actor who had the most beautiful mesmerising voice and he often appeared on the radio show Bright Side Of The Road”.

They continued: ‘Frank Grimes was born in Dublin, he trained at the Abbey Theatre and was a member of the Abbey Players. He scored an early success as Brendan Behan in Borstal Boy at the Abbey in Dublin, Paris and on Broadway, where he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor and was voted ‘Most Promising Actor’ by the New York critics’.

‘Frank worked extensively in the theatre in London; at the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court and in London’s West End. His many Film and TV credits included A Bridge Too Far, Tulips of Harlem, The Outsider;’

‘He played Father O’Conner in Strumpet City, for which won the Jacobs Award, Kavanagh QC, Blind Justice for which he was awarded the Silver Nymph for best actor; He appeared in Mrs Brown’s Boys and played Barry in Coronation Street’.

They went on:’He wrote several plays, including The Fishing Trip and Wake n See, which had a play reading at the ICC. He premiered his hit one-man show on James Joyce, “…the he and the she of it…” here at he ICC, after which it was produced in Dublin, London and Paris’.

‘Frank was so warm hearted, full of Dublin wit and charm in abundance and he had a beautiful sparkle in his eyes. We know that Ireland has lost one of it’s truly great actors, the vintage of which is so rare and may never ever be matched again.

Before adding: ‘We are so sad to have to say goodbye to Frank, but we are also so blessed to have known him, to have worked with him and seen him perform. We send our sincere condolences to his wife Ginnette,’

‘His daughter Tilly, his son Andrew, his 7 grandchildren and to all his extended family. We also send our condolences to all of Frank’s friends and loved ones – May Frank sleep easy now and Rest In Peace’

They accompanied the statement with a clip of Frank reciting a string poems which he filmed during the Covid lockdown.

Following the announcement devastated fans took to the comments to pay their respect to the late star.

Born in Cabra in 1947 the youngest of seven children, he found early fame in play Borstal Boy in Dublin, before it transferred to London and Paris.

The show was such a success it headed to Broadway where Grimes received a Tony nomination and Most Promising Actor Award by the New York critics.

Paying tribute to the actor, the theatre said: ‘The Abbey Theatre is saddened to learn of the passing of actor, Frank Grimes’.

‘A versatile actor and former Abbey Company player, Frank performed in various productions on both the Abbey and Peaock stages from 1965 to 1972, including plays by Sean O’Casey, Lady Gregory, Oliver Goldsmith, Thomas Kilroy, J.M. Synge, Willliam Shakespeare, Bernard Shaw and Tom MacIntyre’.