Ryan Thomas has reportedly turned down the chance to appear on this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.
It is thought that he declined a spot on the BBC show because he didn’t want to leave his family ‘for long hours’ performing and training, reports The Sun.
The former Coronation Street actor, 36, is engaged to Lucy Mecklenburgh with the pair welcoming their five-month-old son Roman in March.
No thanks: Ryan Thomas has reportedly turned down the chance to appear on this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing (pictured with fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh in 2019)
A source told the publication: ‘Ryan doesn’t want to leave Lucy or the baby to work long hours on the show.
‘Strictly bosses were hopeful he could be their big signing, but he doesn’t need the money.’
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Ryan to ask for a comment while Strictly declined to comment when approached.
After leaving Corrie, Ryan appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and was crowned the champion in 2018.
Family man: Ryan is engaged to Lucy Mecklenburgh with the pair welcoming their son Roman earlier this year. He is also a father to his 11-year-old daughter Scarlett (pictured together)
He has since gone on to appear on several TV shows, such as Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai which he starred in alongside his brothers and father.
As well as having his son Roman, Ryan is also a father to Scarlett, 11, who he shares with his ex-partner Tina O’Brien.
It comes after Strictly bosses were forced to deny that they were worried this year’s contestants will drop out at the last minute to take up lucrative pantomime offers.
A source had claimed celebrities would be more inclined to take on a theatre stint than appear on the BBC competition series due to the show’s lengthy requirements.
Father and son: After leaving Corrie, Ryan appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and was crowned champion in 2018 (pictured with his five-month-old son Roman)
However, a representative for the series has since confirmed that the rumours are not true as they told MailOnline: ‘This is all completely made up.’
An insider had told The Sun: ‘Lockdown has hit many celebrities very, very hard in the pocket. So, as lockdown lifts and work offers come in, they need to balance the opportunities with how much of their time it will take up.
‘On Strictly it’s months of rehearsals, shows and then a tour the following year. The fear among Strictly bosses is that it’s really putting some of the people off they are approaching.’
Aims: TV executives hope celebrities and their professional dancers will be able to ‘exclusively bubble’ by the show’s launch date (winners Oti Mabuse and Kelvin Fletcher pictured)
Bosses were also forced to hit back after it was claimed that celebrities such as Michelle Keegan and Jessie J declined to be on the show because of the ‘low’ £60,000 appearance fee.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, a Strictly source contested reports that several celebrities had turned them down and said only those who have signed onto the show were offered a fee.
The source explained: ‘Everyone we have offered a fee to this year have been confirmed as part of the line up, so nobody has declined appearing in the show after we’ve begun negotiations.’
The new normal: Strictly bosses have reportedly imposed restrictions to ensure the new series complies with COVID-19 guidelines (Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly pictured)
Referring specifically to the suggestion that they approached the Our Girl star to appear on the show, the source added: ‘Michelle Keegan has never been in talks with us, so she hasn’t declined any fee.’
This year’s season will also look different due to coronavirus precautions, with the line-up apparently having to stay in ‘bubbles’.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman could also front the show from separate rooms to adhere to the social distancing rules, while costume fittings may be conducted over Zoom as producers adjust to the TV industry’s new normal.
And a source told The Mirror that weekly coronavirus tests and daily temperature checks may be included as part of the crew’s new routine, while hair and make-up artists can resume their normal duties using suitable PPE.
New normal: Parts of the show could be pre-recorded or be filmed via Zoom so to stick with new coronavirus restrictions (judges Bruno Tonioli, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood are pictured)