Former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh opened up about her grief with a heartfelt, moving letter to her late son on what should have been his 16th birthday
Kym Marsh marked what would have been her late son Archie’s 16th birthday by writing a heartbreaking letter.
The actress, 47, and ex-husband, Hollyoaks actor, Jamie Lomas, 48, lost Archie in 2009 when he was stillborn at 21 weeks. On Instagram, she shared a photo of his tiny footprint and reflected on the pain that remains. Sharing the emotional tribute with her followers, the Corrie star admitted she found comfort knowing her late father, David, who passed away last year, is now with Archie.
“16 years without you,” she wrote on alongside a photo of Archie’s hand and foot prints. “It feels like yesterday we said goodbye. Every year, I try to write something new, but the truth is, nothing changes. I still miss you every day. I still wish you were here to celebrate, to laugh, to bicker with Polly, to hug me—even if I embarrassed you.”
The HearSay singer added that while Archie is always missed, she believes her father is now taking care of him. “Grandad is hugging you for me, making you laugh with his silly jokes, and reminding you how loved you are.”
Wondering what he would look like today, she added: “If you’re anything like your siblings, you’re a beauty, we all miss you. We’ll celebrate you today. Happy birthday, son. Love you always, Mum.”
Family, friends and fans rushed to comment on the poignant post. Her eldest daughter Emilie, 27, wrote: “I love you mum, and so does Arch.” While her and ex-Jamie’s daughter Polly Lomas, 13, wrote: “I love you mum, Archie would be so proud of the way you looked after me.”
Kym was also inundated with messages of support from other grieving parents. One heartbreaking note read: “Thinking of you, your family and your beautiful boy. My daughter Chloe was stillborn at 38 weeks in 2020 so she would be 5 at the end of the month. How the years go by I’ll never know. Sending love and hugs from one grieving mum to another.”
Kym has been vocal about the stigma surrounding child loss. Speaking to OK!, she admitted she initially avoided discussing Archie’s death, fearing it would make it feel more real. However, opening up helped her heal and brought her family closer.
She said: “People don’t want to talk about a baby who has died—it makes them uncomfortable. It left me feeling alone and isolated. But when we started sharing our grief, we realized we were all suffering. Talking about it is key.”
Now, she keeps Archie’s memory alive. Her children, David, 28, Emilie, and Polly, have all grown up knowing about their brother. Even her grandchildren hear stories about him.
“He’s part of our lives. We never got to know the boy he would have been, but we celebrate him always.”
If you’ve been affected by this story and would like to speak to someone for support or advice, please visit sands.org.uk or tommys.org for more information.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
