Ryan James Thomasis an English former actor. He is best known for playing the role of Jason Grimshaw on ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2000 until 2016. In 2018, he played Rafael Humphreys in Australian soap opera Neighbours, and won the twenty-second series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Thomas announced his retirement from acting in 2021, however has continued his work in television and is set to appear as a contestant on the sixteenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2024.
Career
Thomas was 16 when he made his on-screen debut as Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street on 25 December 2000. In 2012, Thomas took part in a documentary called Corrie Goes to Kenya, along with his co-stars Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Sue Cleaver (who plays his on-screen mother Eileen Grimshaw) and Ben Price (Nick Tilsley). Thomas said that his time in Kenya changed him as a person and made him realise how much he has in life.
Thomas left Coronation Street in June 2016, after nearly sixteen years in the role. He told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy that he wanted "a different experience" and the chance to pursue other roles. His co-star Terence Maynard, who played his on-screen father Tony Stewart, was also a big factor in his decision to leave the soap. He added "It could be stage, it could be TV, or I could disappear and start learning my craft – start from the bottom and do some acting classes again. These are all things that I need to do because I feel like I haven't done them yet."
He made his panto debut in late-2016 as Prince Charming in the Wyvern Theatre production of Cinderella. The following year, he starred as Captain Hook in Peter Pan at Venue Cymru. In 2018, he played the role at the Beck Theatre, Hayes. In 2019 he starred in the role of Dick Whittington at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton.
Thomas joined the cast of Australian television soap opera Neighbours in October 2017 as Rafael Humphreys. He made his on-screen debut during the 60-minute "Hit & Run" special on 12 February 2018.
In August 2018, Thomas took part in the 22nd series of Celebrity Big Brother. During the episode broadcast on 30 August, Thomas was seen play fighting with actress Roxanne Pallett. Pallett then accused him of intentionally punching her, video footage failed to show Thomas had made physical any contact, apart from a brush with his ring finger. Pallett has since apologised to Thomas for what she has described as "an overreaction to what wasn't a malicious act". On 10 September 2018, Thomas was announced as the winner of the series.
Thomas appeared as a contestant in Celebrity Masterchef in 2022. In December 2022, Thomas won Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
In March 2021, Thomas announced he was quitting acting, after having "really lost the bug for it".
In 2024, Thomas is set to appear as a contestant on the sixteenth series of Dancing on Ice.
