Ryan Thomas has previously opened up about a rather amusing source of tension in his relationship with fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh — his deep affection for taking naps. The television presenter, now 40, began dating Lucy, 33, after they formed a close connection during their time on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls in 2017. Since then, their relationship has blossomed into a family life filled with joy and chaos, as they now share two young children: Roman, aged four, and Lilah, who recently turned two.

However, balancing parenthood, work, and personal quirks hasn’t always been seamless. Ryan once admitted that his love of spontaneous naps has, at times, become a minor point of contention at home. According to him, Lucy doesn’t always see the appeal of dozing off in the middle of the day — especially when there’s a household full of responsibilities. Though their disagreements have been light-hearted, Ryan confessed that Lucy has occasionally become frustrated when he disappears for a quick rest just as things are getting hectic.

Despite the occasional clash, Ryan and Lucy continue to support each other through the ups and downs of family life, proving that even the smallest quirks — like a love for naps — can become part of the journey in building a life together.

The pair are parents to two kids (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Ryan Thomas on rows with Lucy Mecklenburgh

During an appearance on his Mancs On The Mic podcast from 2021, Ryan – who welcomed his first son Roman a year prior – revealed that parenting wasn’t smooth sailing for them.

“I fell asleep on the couch last night and it was the most peaceful sleep I’ve ever had in my life. Then Lucy comes in and she goes: ‘What are you doing?’ And I just looked at her in shock like I’d seen a ghost and I was like: ‘I’m SLEEPING!’” Ryan shared.

He added: “And she goes: ‘Well, don’t you want to get in bed?’ and I went: ‘But I’m asleep. And I’m having a really nice sleep!’”

“The next thing you know, Roman’s woken up, he’s drenched, he’s peed himself, it’s all over his sleeping bag and all over his clothes.”

Ryan recalled a row with Lucy (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Ryan’s parenting ‘struggle’

Ryan then went on: “Then this morning, I thought, oh, she’s going down, she’s going to feed him and she’s going to leave me to have a little sleep. No. She comes upstairs with Roman: ‘Morning Daddy, how are you?!’ I love my son, but I’m like: ‘Just give me another half hour love!’

“We take it in turns so we can have some sleep! I would never come and wake you up if I’m up already with Roman! Like, you enjoy your sleep!”

Ryan then revealed that he usually lets Lucy sleep in when he’s on baby duty. But she’s an early riser.

He continued: “She went to me, he has to feed at 7am. So I thought, you know what, I’m going to let her have a lie in.”

Ryan reveals he ‘can’t win’

However, Ryan admitted that he “can’t win” as when he did let Lucy sleep in, she was not impressed by Roman missing his feed at 7am.

He explained: “She never lies in past 7 o’clock. I’m going to let her sleep in till whenever she wakes up. She wouldn’t sleep later than probably 8 o’clock. Ten to eight she comes downstairs and says: ‘Why didn’t you wake me up? He’s supposed to be fed at 7 o’clock!’ I go: ‘I was just giving you a lie-in love.’ I can’t win man!”

The actor added: “I struggle with sleep so much and I appreciate my sleep so much more now. I’m not the best sleeper at times. If I can sleep, I’m the happiest man in the world. That’s why I stay on the couch and I like my time.”