Raphael (Ryan Thomas)

[Perdita]

Ryan Thomas says g’day mate to Neighbours as he signs up to the Aussie soap.

The ex-Coronation Street star is trading the cobbled streets of Weatherfield for warmer climes in Erinsborough as we can reveal he’s bagged a role on the popular show.

His first part since Corrie is sure to raise eyebrows as Ryan, 33, becomes one of only a few Brit TV stars to move Down Under.

Little is known about his character Raphael and how long he will be a part of the show, but insiders are expecting him to be a big hit.

A source said: “Ryan’s news may come as a bit of a surprise but people are confident he’ll make a big splash on Neighbours.

“He’ll bring his Corrie fans with him and earn a new legion of fans along the away.

“He is just waiting on his visa. Then he’ll be moving to Australia to film the show.”

While Brit exports to Aussie soaps are rare, many alumni of Ramsay Street – such as Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan – have made a huge success on our screens. It was also a platform for Guy Pearce, Holly Valance and Margot Robbie .

I’m sure Ryan is hoping for a similar boost from the show – nearly axed by Channel 5 because of a disagreement with producers, as the Sunday Mirror exclusively revealed.

It is not yet known what the move will do for Ryan’s blossoming romance with ex-Towie star Lucy Mecklenburgh , 26.

They confirmed their relationship after meeting on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls and are currently in Italy at a wedding. Ryan also has an eight-year-old daughter with former Corrie co-star Tina O’Brien.

The actor had been tipped to head to the jungle later this year, following younger brother Adam. Maybe he could eat some witchetty grubs between filming?

It’s a turn of fortune for Ryan, who filed for bankruptcy after getting a £40,000 tax bill. When he left Corrie last year after playing Jason Grimshaw for 16 years there was speculation – denied by Ryan – he was aiming for Hollywood.

Now it looks like he will be going global.

Great to have you back, Ryan!


http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/r...FB_mirror_main

[Perdita]

Neighbours has confirmed that former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas will be joining the show next year.

Ryan – who is known for his role as Corrie's Jason Grimshaw – is swapping the colder conditions of the Cobbles for sunnier climates on Ramsay Street.

The actor will play Rafael Humphreys – a loner with dark secrets, who arrives in Erinsborough to confront a difficult chapter from his past. His first scenes will air in 2018.

Speaking about his exciting new role, Ryan said: "I grew up watching Neighbours so to get the chance to join the cast is amazing.


Olympia Valance and Ryan Thomas in Neighbours
© CHANNEL 5
"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. It's a new challenge and I can't wait to start filming."

Channel 5's Commissioning Editor Greg Barnett added: "With his good looks and Corrie years under his belt, Ryan is the perfect handsome devil. His arrival in Erinsborough marks the start of darker times for a particular Ramsay Street favourite. Prepare to be gripped."

Ryan joined Corrie in 2000 at the age of 16 – playing the role for 16 years, before bowing out last year.

Ryan's casting follows the exciting news that Neighbours has been promoted to an all-year-round soap, thanks to a brand new deal with FremantleMedia.


Digital Spy

[tammyy2j]

Is he connected to Leo's past?

[TaintedLove]

Bets please on who beds him first. My money is on Elly. Although Paige hasn`t had a storyline in hours, so it could be her.

[lizann]

Bets please on who beds him first. My money is on Elly. Although Paige hasn`t had a storyline in hours, so it could be her.

amy or terese

[Perdita]

Bets please on who beds him first. My money is on Elly. Although Paige hasn`t had a storyline in hours, so it could be her.

Aaron

[tammyy2j]

Aaron

He has scenes with Aaron so could be

[Perdita]

Bets please on who beds him first. My money is on Elly. Although Paige hasn`t had a storyline in hours, so it could be her.

Paige and Mark apparently are going to get close again ....

[TaintedLove]

Paige and Mark apparently are going to get close again ....

What is it with Mark, and other woman`s kids? First there was Steph and her son Charley. Then there was the whole having a baby with Sonya while engaged to Steph. Now it`s likely to be Paige, and her son Gabe.

With the amount of women that Mark has been with over the years - I`m amazed he hasn`t impregnated half of Erinsborough.