Ryan Thomas has discussed his first trip to India with his brothers Adam and Scott, where they discover their long-lost relatives.
Documented in their upcoming ITV series Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai, the former Corrie star, 35, has insisted meeting their paternal cousins Keisha, Darryl and Glenn has brought him closer to his twin siblings, 31.
The actor, who welcomed his baby son Roman with fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh five weeks ago, said: ‘It was one of the best times we’ve had together, ever’.
Family affair: Ryan Thomas has discussed his first trip to India with his brothers Adam and Scott, where they discover their long-lost relatives (pictured with their dad, Dougie)
The Thomas brothers were also joined by their formerly-estranged dad Dougie, 72, whose father, former journalist Nolan, emigrated to Britain from India in 1947.
The upcoming show will see the boys meet headteacher Blossom Lillywhite, who reveals their ties to club entertainer Keshia, a cousin on their great-uncle Dougie’s side.
The group also manage to track down their cousins, Darryl and Glenn, who unveil where their grandfather previously lived.
On connecting further with his siblings, Ryan said, according to The Mirror: ‘Bonding-wise, we’ve done some nice stuff together, but this was the pinnacle for us.’
Eye-opening: Documented in their upcoming ITV series Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai, the former Corrie star, 35, has insisted the trip has brought him closer to his twin siblings, 31
‘It was one of the best times we’ve had together, ever’: The brothers met their paternal cousins Keisha, Darryl and Glenn during their incredible journey
Former Emmerdale actor Adam also shared his Indian relatives were as shocked about their existence, revealing: ‘They had no idea about us. It was a new thing for all of us. Meeting us for the first time was a massive shock for them. They had no idea about us living in England.’
The soap star admitted his family weren’t aware of the extent of their South Asian heritage.
Ryan added: ‘My dad doesn’t really look Indian – he looks more Jamaican, not least as he used to have a big afro. So, our culture, where we’re from, people used to think we were more Jamaican blood. My dad’s a soul singer as well, so it didn’t really make sense to us.’
‘That’s what’s amazing about the show’: The trip also served as a great opportunity for Ryan, Adam and Scott to reconcile with their dad following his split from their mother, Gail Waring
The trip also served as a great opportunity for Ryan, Adam and Scott to reconcile with their dad following his split from their mother, Gail Waring.
Love Island star Scott shared: ‘Basically my dad had to answer some questions and it got very emotional. He tried to laugh things off, but we were like, “You’ve got time here to speak to your sons and be honest”.’
‘That’s what’s amazing about this show – that’s the only time we’ve ever spoken about it and will probably be the last time’, Ryan added.
Happy family: The actor welcomed his baby son Roman with fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh five weeks ago (pictured last month)
On sharing traits with musician Dougie, the CBB star elaborated: ‘We’re very much our father’s sons, in a way. We’re not really a lot like our mum. Everything comes from our dad, our laugh, the way we look, the way that we act, our mannerisms.
‘So just being there with my dad it was just incredible to get to take him with us on this journey and be on this show together. He was doing it for us as much as were doing it for him.
‘We’re seen as really close but what is a perfect family? Ours isn’t perfect, but it’s ‘our perfect’. I wouldn’t change anything for the world.
‘I wouldn’t change my dad not being there for so long because it’s made us who we are. I’m happy with the way things turned out.’
Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai starts on ITV on April 29.
Upcoming: ITV’s Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai kicks off on April 29