Ryan Thomas has revealed his joy at finally seeing his two children getting to meet in person for the first time after they were kept apart amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The actor, 35, and his fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh welcomed Roman three weeks ago and were forced to keep the newborn apart from older sister Scarlett, 11, due to social distancing guidelines.
Scarlett, who was believed to be staying with her mother Tina O’Brien, had seen her brother on FaceTime after he was born and has now met him in person after it was confirmed that children of separated parents can move between households.
Family: Ryan Thomas, 35, has revealed his joy at finally seeing his two children getting to meet in person for the first time after they were kept apart amid the coronavirus outbreak
In the snap, Scarlett smiled at the camera as she cradled Roman who wore a grey T-shirt with ‘Little Brother’ written across it.
Alongside the photo, the actor wrote: ‘Been waiting for this moment, finally got all my family together… (Roman wore the T-shirt just incase Scarlett forgot who he was)’.
Several of Ryan’s friends and family commented on the adorable picture with fellow Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon writing: ‘Two beauties Ry xx’.
Ryan’s younger brother Adam wrote: ‘Love it xx’ while former TOWIE star Lydia Bright said the siblings were ‘just perfect’.
Apart: Ryan and his fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh, 28, welcomed Roman three weeks ago and were forced to keep the newborn apart from older sister Scarlett, 11, due to social distancing guidelines
The soap star also took to his Instagram Stories and shared a photo of Scarlett spending time with Lucy, 28, as the former TOWIE star served the family dinner.
Alongside the photo, he wrote: ‘About last night… it’s all about the simple things in life!’
The family have found creative ways to pass the time in lockdown as Ryan uploaded a TikTok video of him and Scarlett re-enacting a scene from Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
Wearing a dark dressing gown, Ryan and Scarlett imitated Kim and Khloe Kardashian telling their younger sister Kylie (also played by Scarlett) that she was not ready for the resonsibility of buying her own house.
Home: Ryan also took to his Instagram Stories and shared a photo of Scarlett spending time with Lucy as the former TOWIE star served the family dinner
Rules: Michael Gove confirmed that children of separated parents can move between households during lockdown as it may be ‘necessary’ in certain cases
””Keeping Up With Thomas”… The things you end up doing in isolation.’
After Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced restrictions on daily life in order to combast the virus, it was confirmed children of separated parents would still be able to move between households.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove took to Twitter and said in a statement that the movement of children between their parents’ homes ‘may be necessary’ in certain cases.
He said: ‘To confirm – while children should not normally be moving between households, we recognise that this may be necessary when children who are under 18 move between separated parents. This is permissible & has been made clear in the guidance.’
It comes after Ryan detailed the struggles of raising Roman without his family amid the coronavirus lockdown.
In a candid post, the soap star admitted he was ‘full of fear and loneliness’ as he self-isolates with fiancée Lucy.
The actor, who shared his message alongside a sweet picture of himself kissing his three-week-old, also offered to provide new parents with baby supplies during the global crisis.
The former Coronation Street star has taken isolation extremely seriously ever since UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson plunged the nation into lockdown last month.
The drastic measure, which has also been implemented in countries such as Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, kept Ryan apart from his loved ones, causing Scarlett to meet her baby brother via FaceTime.
Admitting quarantine has taken a toll on his mental health, Ryan said: ‘Isolation. I’ve been thinking a lot about parents who are soon to bring a baby or just had a baby like ourselves into this crazy world we live in right now.
Fun: The family have found creative ways to pass the time in lockdown as Ryan uploaded a TikTok video of him and Scarlett re-enacting a scene from Keeping Up With The Kardashians
Parody: Ryan and Scarlett imitated Kim and Khloe Kardashian telling their younger sister Kylie (also played by Scarlett) that she was not ready for the resonsibility of buying her own house
Honest: It comes after Ryan detailed the struggles of raising Roman without some members of his family amid the coronavirus lockdown
‘Stay strong and positive’: The actor also offered to provide new parents with baby supplies during the global crisis.
‘Something none of us imagined. what is suppose to be one of the most special times in your life is full fear and loneliness.’ [sic]
Crediting his partner Lucy for lifting his spirits amid the pandemic, the father-of-two explained: ‘Everyday is a new challenge with a new born, luckily me & lucy have each other & work hard as a team to look after our baby in our little bubble.
‘It is unsettling not having support and reassurance from loved ones and the knowledge of normal medical care available if needed and it makes you feel very vulnerable.
Apart: Boris Johnson’s drastic lockdown measure has kept Ryan apart from his loved ones, even causing Scarlett to meet her baby brother via FaceTime (pictured)
‘To all parents out there you need to know you are doing such an amazing job.’ [sic]
The thespian also lent a helping hand by offering to send out baby products to those struggling to adjust to parenthood.
Caring Ryan ended his post: ‘it’s only small gesture but if you need anything nappies, baby grows, formula things maybe I can send in the post that we have or I can order for you online.
‘Luckily we have each other’: The father-of-two has credited his partner Lucy for lifting his spirits amid the pandemic
‘please dm me your address & what you need and I’ll try and do as much I can to help as know it must be a difficult time right now. Stay strong & positive ❤️’ [sic]
Ryan – who shares his eldest child with Tina, 36, – and former TOWIE star Lucy welcomed baby boy Roman Ravello last month, following a three-year romance.
The fitness guru announced her pregnancy last August, after the hunk proposed during a trip to Italy’s Amalfi Coast in June. The couple met on Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls in early 2017.
The Ex Files: Ryan was in a relationship with fellow thespian Tina O’Brien from 2003 until 2009 (Tina pictured pregnant with Scarlett in 2008)