Former Coronation Street heart-throb Ryan Thomas must have been over the moon when he was offered the role of a lifetime on Neighbours.
In all the excitement of moving Down Under, meeting his new castmates and remembering what sunshine looks like, it’s easy to forget how things back home can affect you.
So it’s not all fun and games for Ryan, who has had to miss his daughter’s ninth birthday while filming in Australia.
He posted a heartfelt message to her on Instagram, captioning it: “Happy birthday Scarlett, our first ever birthday apart makes this so much harder being the other side of the world. Love you my angel.”
Fans were quick to offer the star well wishes, with one writing: “Everything you do is for Scarlett which makes it ok.” Another posted: “You’re a super dad. You’ll see her soon.”
Ryan moved to the land down under to take the role of Rafael Humphreys on Neighbours, a loner with a troubled past.
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And although he’s best known here for his role as Jason Grimshaw on Corrie, he’s set to explore some dark territory with his new character.
Ryan said: “I grew up watching Neighbours so to get the chance to join the cast is amazing.
“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.”
The strain of moving abroad hasn’t just shown in Ryan’s relationship with daughter Scarlett, either.
His high-profile relationship with ex-TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh has also been put through the wringer.
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First they appeared to unfollow one another from social media, and then Lucy posted a shot on her Instagram story that declared: “I seem to attract frogs.”
It’s sweet that Ryan took the time to make the post for Scarlett – here’s hoping they’ll be reunited at her 10th birthday next year!