08 March 2024 , 20:46
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Ryan Thomas says he’s pushed his ageing body “close to a standstill” to reach the Dancing On Ice final.
The former Coronation Street favourite, who played Jason Grimshaw for 16 years until 2016, says he has survived on energy drinks and coffee in the last few days. On Sunday night he will do battle with fellow finalists Adele Roberts, Greg Rutherford and Miles Nazaire to lift the trophy.
Ryan, who is dancing with Amani Fancy, said: “I’m 40 this year – my body doesn’t bounce back as easy. I don’t know how I’m here! They work you hard and it’s now final week and there’s a lot to take on. And the body’s not far off coming to a standstill. I mean, it takes its toll on your body more than anything else.”
He said that getting home to his family was now what was driving him. “I think that’s the only reason I can get through this because I know at the end, I’ve got my beautiful family to go back to,” he said. "I live for that, doing the normal every day, taking the kids to school, going to the park, the things I used to take for granted, I will be embracing very much.
“I’m keeping the energy up knowing the end is near, knowing there’s light at the end of the tunnel.” Ryan, 39, has a 15-year-old daughter Scarlett with former Corrie co-star ex Tina O’Brien, and two children with fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh, who found fame in TOWIE. He said reaching the final gave him bragging rights over his actor brother Adam, who was the sixth contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing last year. “I can lord it over Adam forever,” he laughed.
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Ryan’s showcase skate is a Game Of Thrones-themed routine and he says he’s going to bring fire to the ice. He said: “It’s courageous. It’s a lot in one performance. It’ll be a real showstopper. I’m gonna bring my inner dragon with me on this one.”
- Watch on Sunday on ITV at 6.30pm.