Thomas announced his retirement from acting in 2021, however has continued his work in television and won the sixteenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2024.
Thomas left Coronation Street in June 2016, after almost sixteen years in the role. He told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy that he wanted "a different experience" and the chance to pursue other roles. His co-star Terence Maynard, who played his on-screen father Tony Stewart, was also a big factor in his decision to leave the soap.[5] He added "It could be stage, it could be TV, or I could disappear and start learning my craft – start from the bottom and do some acting classes again. These are all things that I need to do because I feel like I haven't done them yet."[5]
He made his panto debut in late-2016 as Prince Charming in the Wyvern Theatre production of Cinderella.[6] The following year, he starred as Captain Hook in Peter Pan at Venue Cymru.[7] In 2018, he played the role at the Beck Theatre, Hayes. In 2019 he starred in the role of Dick Whittington at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton.
Thomas joined the cast of Australian television soap opera Neighbours in October 2017 as Rafael Humphreys.[8] He made his on-screen debut during the 60-minute "Hit & Run" special on 12 February 2018.[citation needed]
In August 2018, Thomas took part in the 22nd series of Celebrity Big Brother.[2] During the episode broadcast on 30 August, Thomas was seen play fighting with actress Roxanne Pallett. Pallett then accused him of intentionally punching her, video footage failed to show Thomas had made physical any contact, apart from a brush with his ring finger.[9] Pallett has since apologised to Thomas for what she has described as "an overreaction to what wasn't a malicious act".[10][11] On 10 September 2018, Thomas was announced as the winner of the series.[12]
He is of English, Indian and Caribbean ancestry. His paternal grandfather is from Mumbai, India, and emigrated to Manchester, England, in 1947. His paternal great-grandmother was a West Indian who had Caribbean ancestry.[17][18]
In 2013, he filed for bankruptcy following an unpaid tax bill of £40,000.[19] Thomas was arrested in 2015 for being drunk and disorderly in a Lake District nightclub. He was fined £90.[20]
Thomas dated his Coronation Street co-star Tina O'Brien from 2003 until 2009. They have a daughter together.[21] Thomas has been in a relationship with Lucy Mecklenburgh since 2017. They met while taking part in Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls.[2] He became engaged to Mecklenburgh in June 2019.[22][23][24] They have two children together.[25]
