This Morning viewers have slammed the producers of a new Take That musical by claiming two of its principal cast-members were only awarded roles because they have famous parents.
Emilie Cunliffe, the 25-year old daughter of Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, andRegan Gascoigne, 27, the son of Geordie football legend Paul, both feature in West End production Greatest Days – a celebration of the iconic boyband’s back catalogue of hits.
The pair were on hand to discuss their respective roles with co-hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby during Tuesday’s show as the musical prepares for an extensive tour of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
But the TV appearance divided viewers, with the ongoing nepo-baby debate once again rearing its head after little known singer and actress Emilie revealed her soap star mother also features in the same musical.
She explained: ‘I play young Rachel, who is a 16-year old in high school and is obsessed with this boyband, with her group of friends, and then my mum plays older Rachel. It’s crazy.’
Not happy: This Morning viewers have slammed the producers of a new Take That musical by claiming Emily Cunliffe and Regan Gascoigne were only awarded roles because they have famous parents
Co-star: Emily features in the musical as a younger version of Rachel, a character played by her famous mum Kym Marsh (pictured in rehearsals)
Emilie, a mother-of-two who is expected to release a solo album later this year, added: ‘For me, it’s nice having part of my family with me because I’ve got my two kids at home.
‘We’re not actually together much because obviously we do the younger bit, then the older bit. It’s nice though. It’s crazy bringing my mum to work, or she brings me to work.’
Taking to Twitter, one skeptical viewer wrote: ‘Kym Marsh’s daughter gets a job on the same show as Kym Marsh, wonder how that happened.’
A second quipped: ‘You can’t beat a bit of unashamed nepotism,’ while a third added: ‘Always nice to have a bit of pull in the game.’
Elsewhere a fourth commented: ‘I wonder how she got that gig then miss marsh jnr.’
Others were quick to comment on Regan’s similarity to his father, a footballing icon who played with distinction for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, SS Lazio, Rangers and England.
Observing their facial likeness on social media, one viewer wrote: ‘Regan really looks like his dad.’
While a second joked: ‘Where’s his Geordie accent gone, thought Gazza was his dad??’
Let’s talk: The pair were on hand to discuss their respective roles with co-hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby during Tuesday’s instalment of This Morning
Lookalikes: Regan bore a striking resemblance to footballer father Paul Gascoigne, who played with distinction for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, SS Lazio, Rangers and England
Close: Emilie, a mother-of-two who is expected to release a solo album later this year, admitted it was reassuring to have her mother close by
Unimpressed: Skeptical viewers took to Twitter during the interview, with many wading into the ongoing nepo-baby debate
Side by side: Emilie frequently accompanies her mother at events across the UK (pictured at the London premiere of Peter Pan & Wendy in April)
Never forget: Regan (far right) joined his cast-mates for a performance following his interview
Speaking about working together during an appearance on Loose Women in March, Emilie said: ‘It’s really good you know, the full cast is great, and we are having fun, going to work with my mum.’
Her famous mum Kym played Michelle Connor on Coronation Street between 2006 and 2019, being involved in dramatic storylines such as the deaths of her brothers, surviving a bus crash and realising her son had been swapped at birth.
But the actress shared that she is not going to return to the cobbles any time soon, despite her iconic recurring role.
She said: ‘No plans at the moment, I will always love that show and it was my start, but I’ve got so much on.
‘At some point or another I’d love to walk the cobbles but too busy right now.’
Kym’s recent schedule has been packed, as she rehearses for Take That, starred in the most recent season of Strictly Come Dancing and also appeared in the revival of BBC’s Waterloo Road.
Getting involved: Some viewers were quick to pick up on the differences and similarities shared by Regan and his famous dad Paul
Centre stage: Regan will be performing across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland with the Take That inspired musical
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