Ryan Thomas has said taking part in Dancing On Ice has been an ’emotional rollercoaster’ – but he feels ‘lucky’ to have the help of his brother Adam.
The Coronation Street star, 39, – known for his role as Jason Grimshaw – said the skating competition has been taking a ‘toll on his body and mind’ lately, but takes ‘a lot of comfort’ in opening up to fellow actor Adam.
Waterloo Road star Adam, 35, appeared on the last series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside Russian-British pro partner Luba Mushtuk.
As they both share experience in the reality series, the brothers duo have been each other’s rock through the challenging process – and Ryan revealed Adam was talking to him ‘most of the time’ during his time on the BBC show.
‘I feel like we have a lot in common in that sense. We know the training. We know how it is to work with a partner day in, day out,’ he told The Mirror.
Ryan Thomas admitted taking part in Dancing On Ice has been an ’emotional rollercoaster’ – but he feels ‘lucky’ to have the help of his brother and fellow actor Adam (pictured together in November 2023)
The Coronation Street alum, 39, – well known for his role as Jason Grimshaw – said the skating competition has been taking a ‘toll on his body and mind’ lately, but takes ‘a lot of comfort’ in opening up to fellow actor Adam (pictured on Dancing On Ice with his partner Amani Fancy)
‘We know the schedule is tough. It’s a very similar process. And I’m very lucky to have him in my corner.’
Ryan, who is partnered up with skating pro dancer Amani Fancy on the show, didn’t shy away from admitting the rhythms of the demanding routine are now being hard to keep up with.
He acknowledged his body is ‘fatigued’ and sometimes struggles to be ‘up there constantly’ – describing the feeling of being on a rollercoaster as ‘one minute you’re up, one minute you’re down’.
‘I’m not down on my self, just fatigued – overthinking things, wanting things to be great. It’s very hard to get it right all the time. And I hate watching videos back my feet and my hands and positioning. Yeah, it annoys me when I watch things back.’
Ryan made himself ‘a little bit proud’ after he went through the first show with not many slip-ups, although he was aware the performance wasn’t flawless, branding himself his own ‘hardest critic’.
The former Corrie sensation left the soap in 2016, following ten years on the show, and it seems like he is gone for good.
Ryan eventually got engaged to TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh, 32, who he met in 2017 after taking part in Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls.
The couple shares Lilah, one, and son Roman, three, while Ryan also shares daughter Scarlett, 10, with his ex Tina O’Brien.
Although he is considering acting again, the former soap star is sure his future won’t include Coronation Street.
The siblings seem to be closer than ever, now that they have both endured the gruelling schedule routine of TV dancing contests
The Waterloo road star, 35, appeared on the last series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside Russian-British pro partner Luba Mushtuk (Adam pictured on Strictly with Luba)
As they both share experience in the reality series, the brothers duo have been each other’s rock through the challenging process – and Ryan revealed Adam was talking to him ‘most of the time’ during his time on the BBC show (pictured on Strictly)
‘I feel like we have a lot in common in that sense. We know the training. We know how it is to work with a partner day in, day out,’ he told The Mirror about Adam, as both have gone through a ‘similar process’
But the TV favourite, who is partnered up with skating pro dancer Amani Fancy on the show, didn’t shy away from admitting the rhythms of the demanding routine are now being hard to keep up with (Ryan pictured on Dancing On Ice with Amani)
He acknowledged his body is ‘fatigued’ and sometimes struggles to be ‘up there constantly’ – describing the feeling of being on a rollercoaster as ‘one minute you’re up, one minute you’re down’
The former Corrie sensation left the iconic soap in 2016, following ten years on the show, and it seems like he is gone for good (pictured on the show)
Ryan eventually got engaged to TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh, 32, as the couple shares Lilah, one, and son Roman, three, while Ryan also shares daughter Scarlett, 10, with his ex Tina O’Brien (pictured with Lucy, Lilah and Roman in December 2024 at Lapland UK)
Praising the legendary series and calling it ‘an institution’ – Ryan clarified going back to Corrie at this point of this career would simply mean going backwards, like ‘going back in time’.
Getting ready for his next demanding performance on Dancing On Ice, he admitted what he needs now is ‘a new kick, a new challenge’.
Earlier last week Ryan showed off his muscular physique in a pair of tiny Calvin Klein briefs as he got a very deep spray tan ahead of his appearance on Dancing On Ice on Sunday.
The soap actor displayed his chiselled abs as he grinned away while standing in the spray tan tent.
The father-of-three showed off his glowing tan while rocking a netted hair net and holding two thumbs up to the camera, joking he smells like a biscuit.
The former Coronation Street star penned: ‘My favourite time of the week!…but I smell like a Biscoff Biscuit!’
Earlier last week Ryan showed off his muscular physique in a pair of tiny Calvin Klein briefs as he got a very deep spray tan ahead of his appearance on Dancing On Ice on Sunday
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE 2024 CONTESTANTS
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Former pro boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink’
HANNAH SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live your comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very appealing’
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I like a challenge and I needed a reason to go out and do stuff again and here we are. I want to perform something that’s never been done before, that’s my aim.’
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
AGE: 59
PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKI JUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’m going to relish!’
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘It’s come at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals as yet, I’ve just had some physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’
RYAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Everyone keeps asking me, “are you doing it?” I’ve told everyone!’
CLAIRE SWEENEY
AGE: 52
PROFESSION: ACTRESS
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I will feel. But I am very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I would definitely say that I’m an adrenaline junkie but I do get more nervous as I get older and I hope that I can contain them’
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance but it’s usually on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’
LOU SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m nervous about cracking my head open, or just bashing the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’
ADELE ROBERTS
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ”bricking it on ice” for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there as I usually hide away’
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t ice-skate. I haven’t really said anything to anyone but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’
