'It's been a taboo subject for quite some time' Kym Marsh opens about Coronation Street stillbirth storyline

Kym Marsh has opened up about filming 'heartbreaking' stillbirth scenes as her character Michelle in Coronation Street - seven years after she lost her own son, Archie, who was born prematurely at just over 21 weeks old.

Kym sat down with Philip and Holly to discuss why she agreed to do the stillbirth storyline.

'I've spoken to so many families who have gone through this, I work with so many neonatal charities - and I thought, what better way to raise awareness?' she explained.

'It's been a taboo subject for quite some time, it's time to talk about it.'

She also called out the issue of hospitals having a 'no resuscitation policy' for babies who are born before 24 weeks, and how this emotionally impacts a family.

Image: This Morning/ITV

'I gave birth to my little boy, I held him in his arms and he existed. He won't be on my family tree, because they wouldn't give a birth certificate. A birth certificate is not a big deal to them, but it matters a lot to us, to have that.'

Kym also said that the memory of Archie is still very strong in her household, and that she and her children talk about him very often - especially Polly, her youngest daughter who was born in 2011.

'We celebrate his birthday every year. Polly knows all about her big brother. We see Polly as a gift from Archie.'

Image: Rex/Shutterstock

The former pop star, 40, previously spoke to OK! magazine about reliving the emotional experience while filming the scenes for Corrie, explaining: 'I have had to go to some really dark places when filming the heartbreaking scenes. But my family, friends and colleagues have been incredible.

'Losing a child is something that never leaves you, so revisiting those feelings as Michelle was a challenge.

'There was a counsellor on set at all times when we were filming the scenes. But the best tonic was to go home and see David, Emilie and Polly, which reminded me how lucky I am to have my children.'

The storyline in the ITV soap sees Kym and on-screen husband Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson, suffer a late miscarriage of their son Rauri.

Tragically, Kym suffered a similar experience in 2009 when she and former partner Jamie Lomas lost Archie shortly after his birth.

'Archie is our beautiful angel and we will miss him so much. Thank you all for your support,' the couple said in a statement at the time.

Kim has previously addressed the plot point in a Twitter post which read: 'Just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for all of your messages of support for our upcoming @itvcorrie storyline.

'We have all worked so hard on this and we hope that we can help make a difference both to families going through the same thing and to the wonderful organisations that try to raise awareness and to fund research and support.

'I am eternally grateful to all of those who have supported me personally through this and I hope I have done my angel proud.'

More: How to cope with a miscarriage

Fans were quick to compliment Kym on her strength and determination to raise awareness, with one replying: 'So proud of you.

'You're so brave and it will make a difference and raise more awareness. Angel Archie would be so proud of you 😘❤💙', and a second adding: 'Beautiful words. I'm sure your baby boy would be very proud of you as I'm sure are the rest of your family.'