Kym Marsh has got a new dog.

Kym Marsh

Kym Marsh

The 'Coronation Street' star has added to her barking brood by taking on a black, white and brown Chihuahua, who has been named Rico after she took inspiration from Barry Manilow's hit 'Copacabana', which tells the story of a mobster called Rico who takes a fancy to a showgirl called Lola.

She said: "This week we welcomed a new addition to the family - a long-haired, black, white and brown Chihuahua who we've called Rico.

"We already have a short-haired Chihuahua called Lola, so as in Barry Manilow's song 'Copacabana' we now have a Rico and Lola. He's very cute.

"We also have a King Charles spaniel called Barney and he's taking time to get used to Rico."

The 42-year-old star - who plays Michelle Connor on the ITV soap - admits it wasn't in her life plan to acquire another pet pooch, but she had a "real softie moment" when she clapped eyes on Rico and couldn't resist his puppy dog eyes.

She said: "We didn't plan on getting another dog. Two of my best mates, Adam, and his husband Gary, told me they were getting a dog and showed me pictures, then brought her round.

"I thought she was beautiful and that's when they told me they'd been offered her brother, who was the last in the littler and yet to find a home. I had a real softie moment and said, 'I want him.' "

But Kym has also used her new pet pooch as a good reason to give her seven-year-old daughter Polly - who she shares with ex-'Hollyoaks' star Jamie Lomas - some "responsibility".

Writing in her OK! magazine column, she added: "Rico's officially Polly's dog and she has to take some responsibility, so when he makes little messes she has to clean it up.

"She's doing all of that and feeding him, and I think it's a good exercise."

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