Ryan Thomas was born in Manchester on 10th June 1984 and went to the same school as Simon Gregson and Nicholas Cochrane (although some ten years after). He has younger twin brothers, one of who is also an actor.

He made his debut in the programme on Christmas Day 2000 as part of a storyline to build up a family around the newly-established character of Eileen Grimshaw, with Ryan playing her elder son, Jason.

He started dating co-star Tina O'Brien in 2004 and on 26th October 2008 she gave birth to their daughter, Scarlett Jacqueline Thomas.