Ryan Thomas has revealed how his 14-month-old son Roman has “driven him to keep going” following the death of his beloved father and the loss of his friend to suicide during lockdown.
The 36 year old, who welcomed baby Roman with fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh, 28, last March, described how the adorable newborn has been a “good distraction” for him following the tragic losses.
The former Coronation Street star lost his father, Manchester soul singer Dougie James, aged 72, in November before he revealed in May that his close friend took his own life during lockdown.
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“In the same year of losing my dad, I gained a son. We have to look at that and go 'wow, my dad made room for the next generation,” Ryan told The Sun.
"We've got to focus on the next generation. It makes me very happy to have that focus in life.
Ryan, who is also dad to daughter Scarlett, 12, who he shares with former Coronation Street actress Tina O’Brien, added: “Bringing a newborn into the world and creating a new family for Roman, that's been my drive this year, giving him the best start in life. That's been a good distraction for me.”
The actor, who is currently renovating a home in Manchester with Lucy, will embark on a 262-mile walk from Buckingham Palace in London to Manchester Cathedral on Monday.
He is setting off on the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 and hopes to raise £25,000 for the mental health and suicide prevention charity CALM.
It comes after Ryan admitted there is a "strain" on his relationship with fiancée Lucy as he travels to Manchester to visit his daughter Scarlett.
Ryan lives with Lucy and their son Roman in Essex, while Scarlett lives in Manchester with her mum Tina.
After surprising Lucy by purchasing a house in the city so they can spend more time up north, Ryan has opened up on how travelling effects his relationship with his former The Only Way Is Essex fiancée.
He said on podcast, Mancs on the Mic, which he hosts with brothers Scott and Adam: "I know I've got Scarlett [who] I have to keep going back and forward for…
"That puts a strain on our relationship because I'm not with [Lucy] because I've got to get back for Scarlett.
"There is that trying to find a mix of making both work and working out where you're going to end.
I think eventually I'd like to be in Manchester with both my kids, but at the moment it's having that help at hand in London it's just easier, but I think eventually I would love to be back where I started with all my brothers and all our kids.
"I think that's what'll happen eventually but we're just taking it a day at a time. I think that's what you've got to do with this family life."
Ryan purchased the property without Lucy even seeing it first, and promised fans that they would be overhauling the home as they gave a tour of the space.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
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