Ryan Thomas seen in Neighbours for the first time as he makes his debut in the Aussie soap
The former Coronation Street hunk plays Rafael Humphreys - a loner with 'dark secrets' - in the Channel 5 soap
FORMER Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has made his Neighbours debut.
The actor - who quit the ITV soap in 2016 - looks a little emotional in a trailer for the upcoming series of the hit Australian show.
In the soap, which airs on Channel 5, Ryan takes on the role of Rafael Humphreys - a loner with "dark secrets" who comes to Ramsay Street to confront a difficult chapter from his past.
Speaking about his new role, Ryan said: “I grew up watching Neighbours so to get the chance to join the cast is amazing.
“I was on holiday with my daughter when I got a phone call from my agent asking if I’d like to play this part...
"I spoke to the producer and found out more - it was very different from anything I’d played before - it was quite a deep, dark story, that really interested me.
“It’s a new challenge and I can’t wait to start filming.”
Ryan, who has no lines of dialogue in the trailer, was first spotted on the Neighbours set last October.
The star, who is dating ex Towie beauty Lucy Mecklenburgh - played Corrie's Jason Grimshaw from 2000-2016.
When he quit Corrie, Ryan hoped to pursue a Hollywood career, but he failed to land any big roles in La La Land.
At the time, Ryan revealed: “Going to Hollywood is a dream so I’m going to see what happens. We can always dream.”
He also admitted: “I wanted a complete change after leaving Coronation Street. My agent’s in London, my meetings are there and many of my friends, too. I’m also going to do some drama classes there.
"I’ve only ever had one job. I need to start from the bottom and start learning my craft.
"I want to be tested and taken out of my comfort zone. I need to do auditions and be rejected for roles – rejection is so much part and parcel of this business, but I’ve never experienced it.”
Ryan continued: “I’ve never been in an audition situation apart from when I was up for the role of Ryan in Corrie, and I got that part just 15 minutes into that audition.
"I feel that I need to find out what it’s like to be told I haven’t got a role I’ve gone for.”
Neighbours airs Monday - Friday on Channel 5 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm
Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 0207 782 4220
We pay for videos too Click here to upload yours.