Lucy Mecklenburgh is a supermum but it’s painful not being able to show off new baby born in isolation, says Ryan Thomas
CORRIE favourite Ryan Thomas has hailed fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh a “supermum” after their first baby together was born in isolation.
The Manchester-born actor admits they have found it challenging since son Roman’s arrival last month as they haven’t been able to call on family for support.
Normally Ryan, 35, would be celebrating the new addition with his brothers — former Emmerdale actor Adam, 31, and his twin, Love Island’s Scott — and their parents Dougie James and Gail Waring.
But the pandemic has forced Ryan and ex-Towie regular Lucy, 28, to isolate alone at their home in Essex.
It also meant Ryan’s 11-year-old daughter Scarlett — who he co-parents with his ex, Coronation street actress Tina O’Brien, 36 — had to wait a few weeks before meeting her baby brother.
Ryan, who played Corrie’s Jason Grimshaw for 16 years until 2016, revealed: “Lucy has been a supermum.
“There is no rule book about being a mother and I think it has been a day-to-day challenge and she has dealt with it all amazingly, I’m super proud of her.”
‘WE ARE NOT THE NEW KARDASHIANS'
Ryan plans to have a big party in Manchester with his family as soon as the Government advises it is safe to do so.
He said: “It’s been difficult having the new baby and not being with the boys, it’s just not a normal situation.
“The first thing we do when our kids are born is show them off to the brothers. But we’ve been keeping touch and FaceTime a lot.
“My daughter is sharing her time between me and her mum. She’s gone home today and then she’ll be back next week or the week after.”
Ryan joked that he wants to recreate the iconic scene from Disney’s Lion King when monkey Rafiki presents newborn Simba to the Pride Rock animals.
He said: “Hopefully this all dies down and I can drive him home to Manchester and give him the whole Lion King experience.”
Lucy told fans on Instagram that Ryan is proving himself to be a proactive dad, mucking in with night feeds and when she is busy running her fitness and nutrition website.
She met Ryan three years ago, when they both appeared on Channel 4’s Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls. Lucy said of motherhood: “I’m good. Some days are hard, but Ryan has been so supportive and hands-on it’s helped me so much.
“It’s not always easy getting him to sleep but white noise is a lifesaver.”
He jokes: “We can’t be compared to anyone, especially not the Kardashians, we are unique.
“We bonded as a family making the show, which was pretty special. We weren’t just going to India on holiday, we were finding out about our family tree and our heritage and tracking down relatives that we never knew existed.”
Ryan’s brother Adam — whose cheeky-chappy persona saw him come third on I’m A Celeb in 2016 and land a hosting role on its spin-off show last year — points out they were keen not to make another run-of-the-mill reality show.
He said: “We’re not the new Kardashians, we wanted to stay away from an At Home With The Thomas Family show.
“This is more of a travel doc, viewers will learn about India and the culture and people. Experiencing temples and food was amazing, the people out there have nothing but they were always smiling.”
The brothers had to spend a month away from home to film the series and are surprised at how well they got on.
‘Fans wants their kids to be as close as us’
Adam, who has son Teddy, five, and two-year-old daughter Elsie, with his wife Caroline, said: “It was stressful at times, with heavy schedules, but it was crazy we didn’t have one argument.
“It was the adventure we were on. We surprised ourselves.”
PR firm owner Scott, who has kept a relatively low TV profile since finding fame on Love Island in 2016, adds: “From the moment we got off the plane it was pure chaos, there were cows in the road and so many people, but their warmth stood out for me.
“Growing up Ryan treated us like his kids and now we’re best mates, we just take it for granted how close we are.
“I get messages from people on Instagram saying, ‘I hope my boys grow up to be as close as you’.”
The brothers haven’t always been close with their father, who is separated from their mother, but they hope their newfound relationship with him will inspire others to reach out to estranged family.
Scott said: “It might ring alarm bells and encourage some people to pick up the phone and make right with a distant family member.” Adam explained: “To share those moments was special.
“Some people can relate to having an up-and-down relationship with their father, and our relationship wasn’t perfect.
“But the past is the past and if you have a family member that you haven’t spoken to in a long time it will be a great reason to reach out.”
The brothers enjoyed filming so much that they are now hoping to land another TV show together or even move into presenting, like Adam.
He said: “If people get behind us and support this show, maybe we can do another series.
“After doing Extra Camp I’ve got the presenting bug, so I would love for us to do a gameshow and get dressed up in smart suits.”
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