Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas and Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas’ dad Dougie has died aged 72, his brother Barry has confirmed.
It was reported on Saturday morning that the soul singer, who toured with Jackson 5 with his band Dougie James And The Soul Train, had died.
The cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
His brother Barry posted on social media: “Thanks to Ryan, Scott and Adam for letting me know the legend that was my brother Dougie James has passed away.
“Thanks for the laughs the musical education bro, see you on the other side.”
Ryan and Adam Thomas’ dad Dougie has died aged 72
Dougie is the father of Ryan, 36, and twins Adam and former Love Island contestant Scott, both 32.
Only last year the three boys went to India for an ITV documentary called Mancs in Mumbai, where they explored their Indian heritage.
Ryan, Adam, and Scott confronted their once-estranged dad about his bitter divorce from their mum after the twins were born.
The family went to India last year to bond after being estranged
Adam later revealed how important the journey had been to all of them, as it had brought them closer to their father.
He said: “Getting to take him along on this journey with us was very special. It’s pretty much his show, he steals this show from start to finish.
“So he was finding out about his dad, but we were also finding out about our dad also.”
Ryan, who recently had son Roman with fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh, also spoke of the emotional journey they took as a family.
He said: “He always referred to his dad as his hero. And the moment it hit him was when he went to where our granddad went to school.
“I said, ‘Dad, this is the exact same playground that your dad played in when he was a child’.”
Tributes have come pouring in for the iconic singer, as BBC Manchester’s Mike Shaft said: “He played all over the north west, in those days when they were playing places like Golden Garter they’d have bands on, an American band and then Dougie James.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
