Kym Marsh's father's cancer diagnosis inspired her to sign up for 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
Kym Marsh will take part in Strictly Come Dancing
The 'BBC Morning Live' host was left devastated when 77-year-old Dave was told he had incurable cancer last year, but the sad news changed her perspective on life and she's following his advice to embrace the opportunities that come her way.
She told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: “Since he was diagnosed last March I’ve just decided to grab everything while I can.
"Without being melancholy, we don’t know how long we’ve got him for, so you’ve got to make the best of these situations.
“My dad’s diagnosis does change things. He’s been telling me for years, ‘You never know what’s around the corner, so grab things with both hands’.
"But you don’t think about that until an event happens. It makes you look at things differently.”
The 46-year-old star - who shot to fame when she won a place in Hear'Say on 'Popstars' in 2001 - admitted she's been approached for various reality shows over the years but was always keen to sign up for 'Strictly'.
She said: “Did I think when I did 'Popstars' 22 years ago that I’d still be here, performing on a show like this one? Absolutely not.
"And really, I’m setting a foot back into the reality world.
“I’ve been asked to do 'I’m A Celebrity...' and other shows over the years but this is the one show that I always said I wanted to do.
“It would be great if I could inspire people by going on the show. It’s great to do things that are out of your comfort zone to test yourself, because we’re not used to this.”
Despite her pop background, Kym insisted the "prancing around" they did on stage doesn't give her an advantage on the Latin and ballroom show.
She said: “People said I’ve danced before with Hear’Say but that’s a completely different kettle of fish.
“That was prancing around on stage. Ballroom is something so different.”
Tagged in Kym Marsh