RYAN Thomas had a cheeky message for injured Dancing on Ice co-star Greg Rutherford after injury ruled the Olympian out of the series final.
Fresh from his win on the ice rink, Ryan appeared on today’s Lorraine with his professional skating partner Amani Fancy.
After polishing off some chocolate covered fried chicken, Ryan turned his attention to Sunday night’s series showpiece and admitted Greg’s unfortunate accident paved the way for his triumph.
He said: “I became very close with Greg, we’ve got similarities: both got kids, being away from home and dedicating our lives to this.
“If I’m honest, it would have been a tough call because the competition was high, and Greg was definitely competition.”
He continued: “So in some sense Greg, if you’re watching… I’m not glad you went out, but you’re the reason I probably got the trophy [laughs].”
Later, when Lorraine asked what he intended to do with the trophy, Ryan said: “I really want to give this trophy to Greg. I don’t know how he’ll feel about putting a trophy on my mantelpiece with my name on it.
“I’m teasing him. I’m always winding him up all the time. I’m looking forward to seeing him and I’m going to give this trophy to him because he really deserved to be in that final.”
The ex Coronation Street actor, 39, beat Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts, 45, and Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire, 28, to the ice trophy.
Greg, 37, was ruled out on the morning of the final after sustaining a “significant injury” that forced him to go to hospital.
Prior to the live show, bookies had dubbed the spectacle the closest ever with no clear favourite.
After his win ITV star Ryan took to Instagram to share an adorable image with fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh, his eldest daughter Scarlett and his brothers Scott and Adam.
The Thomas brothers were recently dubbed the “kings” of reality TV after appearing across a number of top telly shows.
They were joined by Adam’s wife and kids as well as their mum and skate partner Amani.
In the caption, Ryan gushed: “The real trophy is my family.
“Thank you to everyone @dancingonice it was the hardest challenge I’ve ever had to do but it’s the people who made it so special for me, in front & behind the camera.
“I have to give a massive thank you to all the pros/coaches/celebs for making me feel part of there family, on & off the ice. I honestly couldn’t of done it without your support.
“My biggest thank you has be to everyone who voted, you are the real reason I made it to the final.
“I’m forever grateful for all your support.”
He also thanked Amani for getting him to the series finale.
The TV star said: “I’m speechless!”
He continued: “I just can’t, it’s Amani, I’m happy for her because she’s put so much hard work in with me.”
Later posting on Instagram, Ryan thanked his fans for keeping him in the competition and flagged the kindness of strangers in particular.
He wrote: “Thank you to everyone that votes, sends messages.
“I read & think how lucky I am to be liked by people I’ve never even met before, there’s a lot to be said for just people being kind, it really makes a difference.”
