Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has shared a heartfelt tribute to his late father on social media just days after his funeral.
The television personality, 36, logged into his Instagram account on Sunday to tell his fan exactly what his dad Dougie James meant to him.
Alongside a black and white snap of him as a child with his dad, the Jason Grimshaw actor penned: “You are the reason I’m proud to be a Thomas, since being a young child I’ve always been in awe of you, growing up watching you on the stage to people stopping me in the street saying ‘Are you Dougie James’s son?’ is something I love more than you will ever know.”
Ryan filmed an ITV documentary called Mancs in Mumba last year with famous brothers Scott and Adam and dad Dougie.
Discussing the family project, he added: “Last year feels in more special now because me and my brothers got the chance to show you off to the nation we will never forget that.”
Ryan Thomas has shared a heartfelt tribute to his late father on social media just days after his funeral (Image: ryanthomas84/Instagram)
Dougie’s funeral took place on Friday and Ryan was taken back by the for his soul singer father.
He continued: “He said: “Just wanted to take this time to thank every single person for coming out to the Chapel on Friday one of the hardest days of my life but it’s times like this you realise how important your friends and family are.
“We were overwhelmed with the amount of people who turned up to show there respect he really was loved in Manchester, there were moments at the chapel I’d feel myself looking at all the people with a big smile on face thinking ‘that’s my dad!!!!’ so glad I got to show you off one last time.
“I’ve not had chance to reply to everyone’s messages but I want you to know your love and support has really helped me get through this extremely tough time thank you.”
Ryan filmed an ITV documentary last year with his dad Dougie James and brothers Scott and Adam Thomas (Image: RyanThomas/Instagram)
70s music legend Dougie, who toured with The Jackson 5 with his band Dougie James And The Soul Train, sadly posed away last month.
Ryan’s latest Instagram grid update unsurprisingly was flooded with supportive messages from many of his 1,1 million followers.
Former Corrie actress Michelle Keegan penned: “Sending you and your family love x”
Emmerdale star Danny Miller posted: Beautiful bro. Love you mate.”
Actor Chris Fountain added: “It’s was a privilege to have known your dad and an honour to have been there to lay him to rest, a true force of nature who will live on through you and your brothers forever. Rest In Peace Dougie James.”
Celebrity Big Brother winner Ryan got engaged to former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburg in June last year and they share a son named Roman Ravello Thomas together.
The actor is also a father to Scarlett Jacqueline Thomas, who he shares with his former Corrie co-star Tina O’Brien.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
