Ryan Thomas has been awarded the 'best dad' award by his fans after he jokingly shared a way they could save money on a dream holiday. The actor, who rose to fame when he joined Coronation Street aged 16, took to Instagram with a sweet yet funny video of himself with his two youngest children.
Ryan, 38, shares son Roman, three, and one-year-old daughter Lilah Rae with his fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh. A father of three, the former soap star, who also had a stint in Neighbours, is also dad to teenage daughter Scarlett, who he welcomed with his ex and former cobbles co-star Tina O'Brien.
But taking to social media earlier this week, Ryan was seen with his two youngest kids at their Essex home. He was being filmed by former TOWIE star Lucy as he played with Roman and Lilah with the help of the TV and a laundry basket.
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The clip showed the kids sitting in the basket as Ryan clung on to either side. At the same time, a video of a Disney rollercoaster, from the view of something riding on it, appeared on their TV screen.
Ryan then moved the basket containing his children around and shouted and made noises to mimic being on the ride. He also pulled out all the stops by getting bubbles to blow in front of them. Meanwhile, Lucy could be heard giggling from behind the camera.
He added the Magic Philharmonic Orchestra's version of When You Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio to the clip before sharing it with his 1.1 million followers. "…when the kids say they want to go Disney," he typed in the caption of the post.
Younger brother Scott Thomas was quick to respond, writing in the comments: "Hahaha mint," alongside a string of red heart emojis. And fans were quick to laugh along with the clip while also praising Ryan for his creativity and the quality time he is spending with his young children.
@kbrooks.0 said: "What a beautiful thing to do with your children. Best dad award needed." @whitingkingchloe81 laughed: "That’s brilliant. Saved you a few quid as well." @rachaelt87 wrote: "HahahHa this is mega." @michaela_moore1991 posted: "I love this!! Your making memories your children will talk about to their children."
@patriciabuglass replied: "Love this Disney in your own front room the kids had a magical moment there that’s special." @debramawe confessed: "Beautiful! Made me cry." @sarahlouuxxo92 added: "This is what you call the best type of parenting at it’s finest, the kids are having an absolute blast, @ryanthomas84 is probably knackered by the end of it but it’s worth it too see the smiles on their faces."
At the end of last month, Ryan supported by fans as he made a candid admission while on a sunny UK getaway with his children. The Manchester-born star shared a collection of sweet photos to Instagram during the family's stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hampshire. In one snap, the star is crouched on the floor with son Roman, 3, is sat on his knee.
Ryan, looking suave in a pale blue shirt, light brown trousers and trainers and a pair of sunglasses, is beaming at his son, while Roman smiles at the camera. A lush, green field and a sunset, glowing hues of yellow and orange, serves as a stunning backdrop.
In the second photo, Roman is wearing his dad's sunglasses, with the same beautiful background. In another, he is holding one-year-old Lilah Rae, lovingly giving her a kiss on the cheek. A final snap shows the siblings sat on a sofa, Roman with his arm around his sister, as they both smile cheekily at the camera.
Captioning the post, Ryan wrote: "Trust me you are only seeing the best bits. The packing up, the travelling, getting ready to go is a stress!!! Sometimes you think to yourself is it all worth it [laughing face emoji]." He continued: "But it’s memories like this as family that makes it all worthwhile".
