Kym Marsh, who announced she was dating Scottish Army Major Scott Ratcliffe earlier this year, revealed he is preparing to go to Afghanistan.
The Coronation Street actress said Scott would be away for six months, but said she was determined to make the distance work.
Speaking at The Sun’s Military Awards, she shared: “He is due to go back to Afghanistan next year for six months.
“It is tough, but I know we can make it work and we will be fine.”
Scott was recently training in Kenya, however, he has returned to the UK just in time for Christmas.
“He’s just got back from a training exercise in Kenya, so tonight was the first time we have seen each other in weeks,” the soap star added.
“It feels very special to us to be here together – and now he’s back for Christmas, it’s a lovely feeling.”
The 42-year-old went on to gush about her partner, who was dressed in uniform for the ceremony celebrating British servicemen and women.
Scott looked dapper in a tailored jacket, which he wore over a waistcoat and paired with black trousers.
Also, the Army Major sported a medal on the collar of his blazer and beamed with joy as she posed for pictures with Kym.
Meanwhile, Kym oozed glamour in a sparkling blazer, which slit to her navel to reveal her black bra underneath.
She completed the look with booted-legged trousers and accessorised with several bangles and a small clutch bag.
The former Hear’Say singer drew attention to her pretty facial features with a generous coating of make-up, consisting of nude lipstick and eyeliner.
Kym, who has worked on Coronation Street for 12 years, recently opened up about the soap’s teenage pregnancy storyline, starring Amy Barlow (played by Elle Mulvaney).
In her OK! Magazine column, she enthused: “It’s an important issue to tackle and a great chance for Elle to show off her acting skills.”
Coronation Street boss Iain MacLeod, who previously worked on rival soap Emmerdale, also teased the teenage pregnancy storyline.
“The story becomes more than being just about a teenage pregnancy,” he told Express.co.uk and other media outlets.
“It becomes about family and Steve and Tracy’s relationship – it forces them to instantly grow up and be parents for the first time in history.”
He continued: “It’s really good – it gives a leading role to Elle Mulvaney, who deserves the chance to step up and do something a bit more grown up. I’m very much looking forward to that.”
Read Kym Marsh’s newest column in the latest issue of OK! Magazine, out now.