Inside Tina O Brien and Ryan Thomas’ messy break up after she brands him cruel and a liar
THEY were the golden soap star couple who had it all – the looks, career and a beautiful daughter.
But despite Tina O’Brien and Ryan Thomas appearing to have the perfect relationship – it all fell apart after six years in 2009.
Heartbroken Tina, who has just been pictured fighting with teenagers in the street, said at the time: “He said he didn’t love me any more. Those were his words. I was devastated.”
And things turned from bad to worse – culminating in Tina smashing his car up with a baseball bat in 2022. So what went wrong?
On set romance
Tina, who first played Sarah on the cobbles in 1999, began dating Ryan in 2003 after she split from Corrie actor Bruno Langley, who played Ryan’s on-screen brother Todd Grimshaw.
She said at the time that she and Ryan were “for keeps”, adding: “We’ll be together for ever, fingers crossed. I can’t see myself with anyone else.”
They had an on-screen romance two years later as Sarah fell for mechanic Jason Grimshaw.
The pair were due to wed in 2007 but Sarah was jilted at the altar. She left the show later that year.
End of the dream
Just two years after their onscreen romance ended – Ryan ended it in real life for good.
It came just a year after they welcomed daughter Scarlett together, 15, who now stars in Waterloo Road.
At the time Sarah told new! Magazine: “He said I didn’t do it for him any more. Those were his words. I was absolutely devastated. He said he didn’t want the responsibility of a relationship with me.”
She added: “Ryan can be a very loving and nice guy, but he can also be laddy. He was keen to go out a lot.”
Blended families
After the initial shock of the split, Tina and Ryan managed to put their troubles behind them for the sake of their daughter Scarlett.
Tina went on to marry Adam Crofts, with whom she has a son called Beau, in 2018, after seven years together, and they invited Ryan to the wedding.
Celebrity Big Brother winner Ryan previously sang Adam’s praises as a stepfather.
He said: “Adam is cool, he’s just a lovely guy.”
“As a stepfather in Scarlett’s life, I’ve hit the jackpot. She adores him.”
Speaking about her relationship with her ex in the past, Tina said: “It’s taken a lot of years and a lot of biting my tongue. Seriously, though, it’s mainly down to Adam and Ryan.
“It helps that everyone has moved on and is in a happy place. Ryan is really happy and we are happy, so there aren’t any issues.
“For the sake of Scarlett, it has been well worth preserving [our relationship] and choosing our battles.”
Tina also seemed to have a great relationship with Ryan’s fiance Lucy Mecklenburgh, with whom Ryan shares two children.
But things have gone sour between the blended families in the last few years.
One source said: “Ryan and Tina have a fractious relationship. They are not on good terms and that tension has boiled over.”
Boiling point
Things came to a head in 2022 when Tina O’Brien was accused of smashing ex Ryan car with a baseball bat after a furious late-night row.
Sources told The Sun that tempers flared at 1am in the morning after Tina had been partying with pals.
A wing mirror of Ryan’s Range Rover was smashed off and the paintwork scratched during the bust-up. He has accused Tina of causing the damage.
One source said: “Ryan and Tina have a fractious relationship. They are not on good terms and that tension boiled over.
“Tina, who was at a pal’s house party, came out into the street to meet him as he drove up. Soon after that his car was damaged with the baseball bat.
“It was quite a disturbing incident and Ryan drove away as soon as he could. They’ve not spoken since and Ryan is furious.”
CORONATION STREET NEWS
Everything you need to know about Coronation Street
- New, leaving and returning Coronation Street cast
- The filming locations for Coronation Street revealed
- Coronation Street’s best bits
- All the latest Coronation Street spoilers
Taking swipes
Last year Tina shared a quote about ‘tyrannical narcissistic fathers’ just hours after a blazing row with Ryan.
The quote defined the negative personality trait as “a bully – a cruel, lying arrogant person. He is a tyrant that is totally entrenched in his grandiose world and insistent that everyone follow his commands.
“He is emotionally abusive and can cause significant emotional damage to all family members. Unfortunately, his behaviours cause the relationships within a family to be toxic and can cause lifelong wounds.”
Then in her own words, she added: “Thankfully not my dad… but a dad that I know very well… deeply resonates.”
The Sun told how the cutting post came after a blistering row between the exes over the telephone.
A source told us: “Tina had a blazing row with Ryan over the phone about their daughter – which ended with her hanging up. They rarely speak these days because they do tend to clash.”