They’ve never been the friendliest of exes, with relations between them becoming increasingly heated since they split in 2009.
But tensions between Ryan Thomas and Tina O’Brien reached boiling point last week, after he reportedly accused her of smashing his car with a baseball bat.
The drama allegedly ensued in the early hours of Sunday morning, when the former couple – who share one daughter, Scarlett, 13 – reportedly clashed in the street.
An insider said, “Tina, who was at a pal’s house party, came out into the street to meet [Ryan] 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.”
It was later reported that the paintwork on Ryan’s Range Rover had been scratched and that the wing mirror had been “smashed off”.
Now, we’re told, the alleged incident hasn’t just damaged Tina and Ryan’s already wobbly relationship, it’s also caused major ripple effects for their families.
CHECK OUT iconic Waterloo Road stars: where are they now?
Where are the Waterloo Road cast now (slider)
1 of 24Chelsee Healey (Janeece Bryant) then
Troublemaker Janeece was a firm favourite on the show and a big personality at the school. She was often causing all kinds of mischief with her bbf Maxine Barlow, and pals Chlo Grainger and Dante Charles. She clearly couldn't keep away from Waterloo Road after finishing her education, as she returned as a secretary after falling pregnant. She later left to take some time out in Ibiza after struggling to cope with daughter Cheryl.
2 of 24Chelsee Healey (Janeece Bryant) now
Since leaving Waterloo Road, Chelsee joined the cast of Hollyoaks as Goldie McQueen in 2016. She also competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, and finished as a runner-up. She took a break from telly land in 2017 to give birth to her daughter, Coco.More recently, Chelsee appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2019, where she sadly didn't end up finding the love of her life (but who does, tbh?).
3 of 24Jason Done (Tom Clarkson) then
English teacher Tom Clarkson was a big hit with the students of Waterloo Road. He went on to become, Head of Pastoral Care, then Head of English and Deputy Head in series 7. Tom was also stepdad to Chlo and Mika Grainger after his romance with fellow teacher Izzi (he had numerous love interests with school staff). His own son Josh joined the school in 2009.
4 of 24Jason Done (Tom Clarkson) now
Jason starred on the show until 2015, enduring the big move from Rochdale to Scotland. His character Tom died in series 8 after falling from the roof of the school trying to help troubled student Kyle Stack. Nowadays he spends his time doing narration for shows like Channel 5's Can't Pay We'll Take It Away and starring in Netflix show, The Innocents.
5 of 24Philip Martin Brown (Grantly Budgen) then
Grumpy Grantly Budgen was part of the furniture at Waterloo Road and had a number of emotional as well as downright hilarious storylines. Who could forget that toupée.
6 of 24Philip Martin Brown (Grantly Budgen) now
Since Philip's departure following Grantly's death on the show in 2013, the actor's gone on to star in a variety of other TV shows such as Endeavour and Doctors. He's also a regular on the Panto circuit.
7 of 24Denise Welch (Steph Haydock) then
Denise played Waterloo Road's relatively useless but fun-loving french teacher Steph Haydock from series 1 until the end of series 5. Despite her reputation as a bit of a gossip, Steph's big heart and caring nature saw her take in troubled student Maxine Barlow.
8 of 24Denise Welch (Steph Haydock) now
Denise has stared in a number of other TV shows and soaps including Byker Grove, Coronation Street and Holby City, and is a regular on the Christmas Pantomime circuit. She's also a regular panelist on ITV's Loose Women and mum to 1975 frontman Matty Healy.
9 of 24Angela Griffin (Kim Campbell) then
Kind-hearted Kim Campbell bore the brunt of the kids' troubles as original Head of Pastoral Care at Waterloo Road.
10 of 24Angela Griffin (Kim Campbell) now
Since leaving Waterloo Road for good in 2010 (she took a break at the end of 2007, returning in 2009), Angela has starred in a number of TV dramas including Netflix's White Lines, ITV's Lewis and Midsomer Murders. She's also starred on the stage in One Man, Two Guvnors alongside James Corden.She also hosted her own daytime chat show, Angela and Friends, from 2009 to 2010.
11 of 24Neil Morrissey (Eddie Lawson) then
Neil Morrissey played deputy head Eddie Lawson for series 3 and 4.
12 of 24Neil Morrissey (Eddie Lawson) now
Established actor and comedian Neil recently spoke out about how much he hated working on Waterloo Road. Speaking on Two Shot Podcast he said: "I hated that show, I hated it so much. Even my missus said to me, 'You've got to get out of this show because it's making you into a nasty person'."Yikes.Since finishing on Waterloo Road, Neil's starred as Line of Duty baddie Nigel Morton and is the voice of many cartoon characters, including Farmer Pickles in Bob the Builder.
13 of 24Jason Merrells (Jack Rimmer) then
Jack Rimmer was Waterloo Roads original, tough-loving headteacher.
14 of 24Jason Merrells (Jack Rimmer) now
Jason's character resigned as headteacher halfway through series 3. As well as starring in Waterloo Road, Jason has played parts in Casualty and The Bill. From 2010 until 2014 he played business man Declan Macey in Emmerdale. He's also a writer and director and often takes on theatre roles.
15 of 24Jill Halfpenny (Izzie Redpath) then
Jill Halfpenny played enthusiastic drama teacher Izzie in series 1 and 2. Her two daughters Chlo and Mika also attended the school.Izzie was involved in a love triangle with fellow teachers Lorna Dickey and Tom Clarkson. She was fatally stabbed by Joe Seddon while trying to protect headmaster Jack.
16 of 24Jill Halfpenny (Izzie Redpath) now
Jill won the first series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, while she was playing Kate on EastEnders. Since leaving Waterloo Road Jill has taken on a number big TV roles. Most recently, she starred in ITV's epic drama Liar.
17 of 24Katie Griffiths (Chlo Grainger) then
Katie played Chlo from series 1 to 4. Chlo made up one half of our fave TV couple ever, marrying her childhood sweetheart Donte Charles as soon as she turned 16. After a brief affair with her sister Mika's boyfriend Brett, Chlo and Donte reconciled and Chlo fell pregnant with her daughter Izzie (named after her late mother).
18 of 24Katie Griffiths (Chlo Grainger) now
After Chlo and Donte's departure to Manchester in series 4, Katie went on to take roles in Casualty and Father Brown.
19 of 24Adam Thomas (Donte Charles) then
Adam played Waterloo Road's original bad boy Donte Charles. Donte cleaned up his act after spending time in jail for the accidental death of his friend Adam. He also proved to be a supportive husband to Chlo after they found out she was pregnant.
20 of 24Adam Thomas (Donte Charles) now
Adam has gone on to become a big household name, playing Adam Barton in Emmerdale from 2009 to 2018. He also appeared came third on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016. His twin brother Scott Thomas was a finalist on Love Island in 2016 and their older brother Ryan is also an actor, starring in Coronation Street and Neighbours.He's also now a husband and father of two - it's safe to say Adam's been pretty busy since leaving Rochdale.
21 of 24George Sampson (Kyle Stack) then
After winning Britains Got Talent in 2008, George went on to join the Waterloo Road cast in 2011 as troubled student Kyle Stack.
22 of 24George Sampson (Kyle Stack) now
Dancer and actor George Sampson underwent a hair transplant procedure in summer 2017. Since then, he's performed on stage in productions such as Our House. He also joined the cast of Emmerdale in 2016 and has appeared on Celebrity Coach Trip.
23 of 24Tachia Newall (Bolton Smile) then
We're not going to lie, we had a pretty big crush on bad boy Bolton Smilie when he joined the cast for series 3. And an even bigger one when he came back as a soldier in series 8.
24 of 24Tachia Newall (Bolton Smilie) now
Tachia is still acting, appearing in episodes of Casualty, Doctors and Silent Witness. He's also a rapper and a member of Manchester's Levelz crew.
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Apparently, Ryan’s fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh, 30, who’s mum to his two-year-old son Roman and is also expecting their second child later this spring, is unsurprisingly concerned about the rising tension in the family – especially given the fact she has a newborn on the way.
“This has been a long time coming,” says a source close to Ryan, 37, and Lucy, who put on happy faces last week to celebrate Roman’s second birthday with Scarlett in tow, at the same time as reports broke over Tina, 38, and Ryan’s alleged bust-up.
“Tensions have been bubbling for a while and Ryan has tried to keep Lucy out of it up until now, but Lucy isn’t having it any more.”
Former Coronation Street co-stars Tina and Ryan began dating in 2003, but bitterly split six years later, with Tina saying at the time, “He said he didn’t love me any more. Those were his words. I was devastated.”
While Ryan’s since moved on with Lucy, Tina also found love with husband Adam Crofts, with whom she shares seven-year-old son Beau. Still, despite sharing daughter Scarlett – who will soon be making her own TV debut on the BBC’s Waterloo Road alongside her uncle Adam Thomas – Ryan and Tina have struggled to maintain an amicable co- parenting relationship.
Tina herself has spoken in the past about the challenges they’ve faced, claiming she often “bites [her] tongue” for the sake of a peaceful co-existence.
“It’s taken a lot of years and a lot of biting my tongue,” the actress previously said in an interview.
“It helps that everyone has moved on and is in a happy place, and we are happy, so there aren’t any issues.
"For the sake of Scarlett, it has been well worth preserving [mine and Ryan’s relationship] and choosing our battles.”
But, according to reports, last week’s alleged fracas might have been one “battle” they couldn’t avoid, with insiders saying it’s forced all parties involved – who, as heat went to press, had been contacted for comment but hadn’t responded – to face their issues and resolve them once and for all.
“Lucy feels things have got so out of hand because Ryan would rather everyone tries to carry on as normal and sweep things under the rug,” we’re told.
“But it’s clear they have very real issues that need to be sorted out..”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.