Ex-Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas joining Neighbours

‘I’m not ready to go back to Coronation Street!’ – actor Ryan Thomas on quitting Weatherfield for Ramsay Street

Ryan Thomas is heading over to Neighbours next year...

Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has landed a role in Aussie soap Neighbours.

The 32-year-old star, who was Weatherfield's Jason Grimshaw, will play the role of Rafael Humphreys, a loner, with dark secrets, who comes to Ramsay Street to confront a difficult chapter from his past.

“I grew up watching Neighbours so to get the chance to join the cast is amazing,” said Ryan.

“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."

Olympia Valance, Ryan Thomas, Andrew Morley Neighbours

Ryan with new Neighbours co-stars Olympia Valance and Andrew Morley

Ryan joined Coronation Street on Christmas Day 2000, which was his first acting job after studying performing arts in Manchester.

The Salford-born actor left Corrie in June 2016 and has since been seen in Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls on Channel 4.

Speaking about his new role, Ryan added: “It’s a new challenge and I can’t wait to start filming.”

Ryan will be seen on screen in Neighbours next year. Neighbours airs Monday - Friday on Channel 5 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm.

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

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