Coronation Street legend Ryan Thomas has signed up for the next series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
HOAR can exclusively reveal that the former soap star, 38, who played Jason Grimshaw on the long-running ITV drama from 2000-2016, is going to strap on his backpack and face the gruelling Channel 4 show.
Ryan has signed up for the next series of Celebrity SAS
The show’s current series is airing on Sundays on Channel 4
Our source reveals: “Ryan didn’t have to think twice when he was asked. He loves pushing himself and taking on tough tasks.
“He knows it will be extremely challenging, but he is determined to see it through. He knows his brothers Scott and Adam won’t let him live it down if he drops out early.”
It comes as HOAR revealed that MP Matt Hancock has been approached to star in the next series, which will air in 2023.
We also told how The Wanted singer Siva Kaneswaran and Hollyoaks actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter are being lined-up, as is Towie legend James Argent.
The next series of the star-studded edition of SAS will once again be fronted by Rudy Reyes, who replaced Ant Middleton last year.
When approached by HOAR for comment about Ryan joining the show, a spokesperson said: “In the best traditions of the SAS, this mission is confidential. However, full details will be released when the series broadcasts next year.”
The dad of three – who co-parents daughter Scarlett, 13, with his ex, Tina O’Brien and has two kids, Roman, two, and Lilah Rae, four months , with fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh – most recently appeared on screens in Celebrity Masterchef.
Earlier this year he also competed on ITV’s The Games, where he finished second to Wes Nelson.
Ryan has tackled extreme survival shows before, however, having starred on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls in 2017.
It was on that Channel 4 show that he met Lucy and the pair later got together and fell in love.
Of course, not all Ryan’s forays into reality TV have been smooth sailing.
His stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 proved extremely stressful when Roxanne Pallett made a false allegation of physical abuse.
Despite the trauma, however, Ryan emerged as the winner of the series.
Not all of Ryan’s reality TV projects have been as successful however.
Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai, which he starred in with his brothers but the series, was shelved in 2021 after one series.
A source told HOAR at the time: “It’s a shame for the lads as they seemed to go down well before, and ITV were keen for a second series.
“Discussions about what a second series would entail had taken place, and the plan was for them to go to South America and take their mum with them.
“Unfortunately, with Covid-19 and ever tightening budgets, a decision was made to put this one on ice for the foreseeable future.”
Ryan with fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh
