Kym Marsh has shared a touching tribute to her ex-partner, praising their strong bond as they reunited for their granddaughter’s birthday.

The former Coronation Street star, 48, who recently split from her toyboy lover Samuel Thomas, 29, took to Instagram to post a smiling selfie with David Cunliffe, the father of her eldest children, David, 29 and Emilie, 27.

Despite their past split, the pair have remained close, with Kym calling him ‘one of my best friends in the world.’

Kym and builder David first met in 1994 in a karaoke bar before going on to have two children, but their relationship later ended. 

However, they have since built a strong co-parenting and friendship dynamic, with Kym regularly sharing their moments together on social media.

Last year, they were pictured enjoying the Euro final and in 2023, she posted a picture of him a couple of times with their grown up kids and grandchildren, citing in the captions that ‘family is everything’.

Kym Marsh has shared a touching tribute to her ex-partner, praising their strong bond as they reunited for their granddaughter’s birthday

The former Coronation Street star, 48, took to Instagram to post a smiling selfie with David Cunliffe, the father of her eldest children

It comes after Kym has ‘quit Waterloo Road’ after five series, as she’s keen to focus on new projects.

The TV star who recently split from toyboy love Samuel has reportedly informed BBC bosses that this series will be her last. 

And according to The Sun, Kym, who plays canteen worker Nicky Walters, has already filmed her final scenes and is ‘in a new chapter of her life.’

A source said: ‘She’s heading towards 50 and wants to try as many new things as she can.

‘One of the reasons she dumped Samuel was because she just wanted to have some fun and see where her work takes her.

‘She’s already got a busy work and family life and is very much enjoying her freedom and being able to take on exciting new projects wherever they may take her.’

Kym recently admitted ‘life is a struggle’ and is not ‘a fairytale’ during a candid new interview in the wake of her alleged ‘split’ from toyboy love Samuel.

It was reported last month that the former Coronation Street star, 48, was said to have split from her boyfriend Samuel, 29, after a whirlwind six month romance.

The pair are parents to David, 29 and Emilie, 27 and despite their past split, have remained close, with Kym calling him ‘one of my best friends in the world’

Kym and builder David first met in 1994 in a karaoke bar before going on to have their two children, but their relationship later ended

However, they have since built a strong co-parenting and friendship dynamic, with Kym regularly sharing their moments together on social media

It comes after Kim who plays canteen worker Nicky Walters in Waterloo Road, has quit the show and already filmed her final scenes as she starts ‘a new chapter of her life.’

She ended her romance with the performer before Christmas, after the pair finished touring with the show 101 Dalmatians: The Musical.

And speaking to Closer magazine, the actress made a strong commitment to herself as she vowed to put herself first ahead of turning 50 next year.

Though she didn’t go into detail about her dating life, Kym shared her advice for those going through hardship, which comes as she’s reportedly going through heartbreak herself.

She shared: ‘Life is always a struggle – It’s not like all of a sudden, it’s a fairy tale.

‘There are always things that people struggle with. I think people are out there and they’re struggling – having a hard time or trying to achieve a dream – and my advice is just keep going. I find that eventually things generally pay off. So just keep going.’

Meanwhile, with Kym fast approaching her 49th birthday in June, it means her big 5-0 is only next year, and the star has vowed to put herself first after always placinothers ahead.

A source said: ‘She’s heading towards 50 and wants to try as many new things as she can’

It was reported last month that the former Coronation Street star, 48, was said to have split from her boyfriend Samuel, 29, after a whirlwind six month romance 

Read More Kerry Katona’s relationship advice for unlucky-in-love Kym Marsh is revealed after her toyboy split

She said: ‘I have a tendency to always put others before myself, so this year, I’m going to[put myself first] and I think that’s the right thing to do, especially when you’re heading for the big 5-0. It’s about making more food choices, getting back into the gym, getting more sleep and spending more time at home.’

The TV personality is currently throwing herself into her work and juggling her ‘very blended family’, with Kym having two children, three grandchildren and one step-grandchild.

Amid her alleged break-up, sources told The Sun recently that once their tour finished, Kym, who is 19 years older than Samuel, found it more difficult to spent time with him.

A source said: ‘Kym and Sam fell head over heels when they first met and couldn’t wait to tell the world.

‘But once Kym’s role in 101 Dalmatians ended it became harder to spend time together and some of the magic they had at the beginning just disappeared.

‘It’s such a shame, especially before Christmas but Kym surrounded herself with family.’

Though she didn’t go into detail about her dating life, she shared her advice for those going through hardship: ‘Life is always a struggle – It’s not like all of a sudden, it’s a fairy tale’

Kym ended her romance with the performer before Christmas, after the pair finished touring with the show 101 Dalmatians: The Musical

Kym previously looked smitten with Samuel as they posed for a series of pictures of together, which he shared to his Instagram.

He sweetly declared that ‘life’s pretty great at the moment’ as the new couple continued to enjoy their honeymoon period.

Samuel told in the caption to his post how they’d had ‘two wonderful days’ in London as they took in the sights and played tourists.

He finished off by saying ‘I love you’ while sharing a beautiful snap of Kym as they enjoyed a romantic day out.

He penned: ‘Life’s pretty great right now. Two wonderful days in London staying at @strandpalace in between venues last week, and what a lovely time we had.

‘Great food, new tattoos, Camden market, @kissmekateuk @barbicancentre and all the laughter and love. I Love you @marsh_kym❤️.’

Kym was forced to defend herself for revealing she is dating Samuel, who is the same age as her son, having gushed on social media that he is her ‘soulmate.’

MailOnline contacted a representative for Kym for comment at the time.

At 29, Samuel – who she refers to as ‘the most amazing man ever’ – is the same age as her eldest child, David Cunliffe.

Kym’s friends were reportedly worried that her new romance with a younger man could all end in heartache if it ‘fizzled out’.

The soap star has the support of her pals who are apparently ‘happy’ she has found someone, but they are said to have concerns that she could end up hurt.