The ongoing drama between Ryan Thomas and his ex, Tina O’Brien, has made headlines for years, often focusing on clashes over public spats and property damage.
But beneath the surface, sources reveal that much of the tension has been fueled not just by their personal differences, but by concerns over their 16-year-old daughter, Scarlett.
Scarlett’s Education Versus Showbiz Ambitions
Scarlett has made it clear that she wants to follow in her famous parents’ footsteps.
She landed a role in the BBC’s Waterloo Road reboot in 2023, and over the years she’s appeared in videos with her dad, uncles, and other family members.
Yet recently, she revealed on TikTok that she hadn’t sat her GCSE exams, hinting at some regret: “I’m watching everyone get there [sic] GCSE results today wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.”
This decision reportedly sent shockwaves through the family.
Friends say Scarlett left her £20,000-per-year school in Cheadle Hulme under a cloud, likely transitioning to homeschooling.
Tina, 42, was said to be “beyond raging,” believing that Ryan prioritized showbusiness over a traditional education.
A Clash of Parenting Styles
Insiders explain that Tina and Ryan have very different approaches to parenting.
Tina wants Scarlett to have a normal upbringing and a solid education, while Ryan and his brothers, Adam and Scott, have embraced putting Scarlett in the spotlight.
Tina, described as “the strict one,” has long been wary of her daughter being labeled a “nepo baby” and hopes she can forge her own path with the right tools and guidance.
“Being a teenage girl and being put out there by a parent must be difficult,” a source said.
“There were some difficulties that began to really affect Scarlett, and Tina just saw red. She tried to get Ryan to see it, but he wouldn’t.”
Social Media Exposure Sparks Tensions
Ryan, now engaged to former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh, has been filming Scarlett and posting videos online since she was a child, much to Tina’s frustration.
Even past incidents, like Ryan filming Scarlett singing in the car at age eight, drew public criticism from road safety campaigners.
Scarlett now has a significant online presence, with more than 206,000 TikTok followers and over 142,000 Instagram fans.
Balancing Fame and Family Life
Tina has worked hard to shield Scarlett from the pressures of fame while continuing to nurture her love of acting through her Manchester drama school, The Drama MOB.
Friends note that Tina sees acting as an art form, while Ryan is more focused on celebrity and networking.
Tina’s priority has always been to protect her daughter from social media backlash and public scrutiny, even when family connections have helped Scarlett secure high-profile roles.
A Complicated Legacy
Ryan and Tina first met on Coronation Street and became a fan-favorite couple, welcoming Scarlett in 2008 before splitting a year later.
Over the years, their feud has often made headlines, but the real stakes revolve around Scarlett’s well-being.
Tina continues to fight for a grounded childhood for her daughter, while Ryan’s enthusiasm for the spotlight keeps the family drama very much in the public eye.
