14 January 2024 , 19:18
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Ryan Thomas choked back tears earlier tonight as he paid tribute to his late dad on what would have been his birthday.
The Dancing on Ice star, who is one of the celebs taking part in the 2024 series, took to Instagram to dedicate his first skate with pro partner Amani Fancy to his father Dougie James, who passed away in December 2020 at the age of 72.
Sharing a heartfelt video with his 1.1 million followers, the 39-year-old former Coronation Street actor said: “I’ve got all the family coming. I’ve got my brothers, my fiance, my sister-in-law, my mum, my friends. But tonight, tonight’s for you dad! Happy birthday. I love you so much!” he said before blowing a kiss at the camera and adding: “And I’m going to take that on to the show tonight.”
In the caption, he added: “Feeling very Blessed to have all my family here tonight. Love you Dad. I know you’re watching somewhere with a Southern Comfort one piece of ice!”
Ryan blows a kiss to his late dad on what would have been his birthday (Instagram)
He dedicated his first Dancing on Ice performance to dad Dougie, who died in 2020 (WireImage)Fans were quick to offer messages of support in the comments underneath, with one saying: “He will always be watching and supporting the three of you and your families. Good luck tonight.” Another said: “Aww how sweet! Happy birthday to your Dad. You boys are smashing it. He would be super proud of you all x.”
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A third fan wrote: “Happy Birthday To Dougie Thomas xx I’m sure your dad is around you in spirit and very proud of you too xx.” A fourth commented: “Can’t wait... Happy heavenly birthday to your Dad... he’ll be with you.” While a fifth added: “Happy birthday Dougie!! Good luck Ry let’s smash it on the ice buzzing to watch you.”
Ryan’s dad Dougie was a 70s soul singer, who performed as Dougie James And The Soul Train. Just before he died, Ryan and his brothers Adam and Scott, who are twins, joined their dad on an emotional trip to India in 2019 to explore his roots for a six-part ITV documentary, Mancs In Mumbai.
But Ryan, who is now a dad of three himself, revealed that although they made up as they got older, his dad wasn’t around for a few years when they were kids after splitting with their mum Gail shortly after the twins were born and not returning until Ryan was 16.
He said previously: “My dad left us for years when we were younger and then he came back into our lives and we never really talked about it. There were a lot of unanswered questions, which we touched on and I think we needed to. It got quite emotional.
“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.”
Paying tribute to his famous dad when he died, Ryan said: “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’ son?’ is something I love more than you will ever know.”
*Dancing on Ice starts on ITV on Sunday January 14 at 6.30pm or catch up on ITVX