Ex-Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has reportedly signed up to appear on the upcoming series of Dancing on Ice.

The former soap star, 39, who portrayed Jason Grimshaw in the hit ITV soap from 2000 until 2016, is said to be preparing to begin training ahead of the show's launch in January, with a source claiming TV bosses are "hugely excited" to have signed him up.

“Bosses are hugely excited to sign Ryan as he’ll bring with him an army of soap fans and celeb mates who’ll dutifully want to tune in and see how he fares on the ice," the source told The Sun.

They added: “He has a big personality so will make a cracking reality TV. Ryan is looking forward to the challenge of doing something different.”

OK! has contacted representatives for Ryan.

Dad-of-three Ryan's latest career move comes after he announced he'd turned his back on acting in 2021 after losing "the bug for it" and pursuing other career paths.

Speaking on the Mancs On The Mic podcast, the 39 year old admitted: "It's so hard for me. I started off acting, I started off in that game and I really lost the bug for it. I feel the reason for losing the bug is rejection and going to auditions and not getting them."

As well as 16 years on Coronation Street, Ryan also played Rafael Humphreys in Neighbours from 2017 until 2018.

He is is no stranger to reality television however, and has appeared on several hit shows over the years, including The Games, and Celebrity MasterChef. Ryan won Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip in 2022.

The 39 year old met his fiancée, ex-The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh, 31, on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls in 2016. The couple are parents to Roman, two, and baby daughter Lilah. Ryan is also dad to daughter Scarlett, 14, with ex-girlfriend Tina O'Brien.

Ryan's younger brother Adam Thomas, 35, who found fame on Emmerdale, is currently competing on rival BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.

Stars confirmed to be appearing on the upcoming series of Dancing on Ice are boxer Ricky Hatton, 44, former S Club 7 singer Hannah Spearritt, 42, actress Claire Sweeney, 52, and Love Island winner Amber Davies, 26.

The series will kick off in January 2024.

Source: Read Full Article