for dad
Emotional Ryan Thomas fights back tears as he reveals first Dancing on Ice skate is dedicated to his late dad
The star and his pro partner Amani Fancy will be kicking things off with Kings of Leon's Sex On Fire.
RYAN Thomas was overcome with emotion this evening before he donned his skates for the first time.
The 39-year-old told fans he was dedicating his performance on tonight’s Dancing On Ice to his late father, who would have celebrated his birthday today.
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Fighting back tears, Ryan told his followers: “I have got all the family coming, I’ve got my brothers, my fiancé, my sister-in-law, my mum, my friends…
“Tonight’s for you dad, happy birthday. I love you so much.”
He added the caption: “Feeling very Blessed to have all my family here tonight.
“Love you Dad. I know your watching somewhere with a southern comfort one piece of Ice!”
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Ryan’s dad Dougie James passed away in 2020 at the age of 72.
The former Corrie star said at the time: "You are the reason I’m proud to be a Thomas, since being a young child I’ve always been in awe of you, growing up watching you on the stage to people stopping me in the street saying 'are you Dougie James’s son?' is something I love more than you will ever know."
Ryan had a complicated relationship with his dad, who left when he was 11 and his brothers Adam (formerly of Emmerdale and Waterloo Road) and twin Scott (Love Island) were just seven, and there was a period of six years when none of them had any contact with him at all.
Ryan, as the eldest, had to grow up fast and become a father figure to them.
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He previously said: “It’s hard to look back at that time because [despite that] I do have very fond memories of growing up.
"There were years that my dad wasn’t there, but the positive I take from that is knowing I will never do that with my own children.
"So I don’t see [him leaving] as a negative – I am the way I am because of it.
Tonight’s split premiere of Dancing On Ice will see six celebrities take to the ice for the live show.
Contestants S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt, Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi, Love Island and West End star Amber Davies, former boxer Ricky Hatton and Olympian Greg Rutherford are all set to perform on Sunday.
Ryan and his partner Amani Fancy opted for kicking things off with Kings of Leon's Sex On Fire.
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