Seven years after Ryan Thomas got down on one knee in the romantic setting of Positano, Lucy Mecklenburgh is still yet to walk down the aisle — and now, insiders claim there’s a far more serious reason behind the delay.
The couple, who first fell for each other on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls back in 2017, have long insisted that life simply “got in the way” of their wedding plans. After their 2019 engagement, the pandemic hit, forcing them — like many others — to press pause on their big day.
But life didn’t stand still for long. Instead, they built a family together, welcoming son Roman, now six, and daughter Lilah, three. And yet, despite their growing family and seemingly solid relationship, the legal step of marriage has remained just out of reach.
Now, sources suggest the hesitation may be more strategic than sentimental.
According to insiders, Lucy — who comes from a wealthy background thanks to her father Paul’s extensive property empire — has always been financially savvy. She was reportedly taught from a young age to protect her assets and make smart investments, especially after rising to fame on The Only Way Is Essex.
And when it comes to merging finances through marriage, she may be thinking twice.
A source revealed that while Lucy deeply loves Ryan and is proud of how far he’s come, she is also cautious about legally tying their finances together — particularly given his past financial struggles. The insider explained that if Ryan were ever to face difficulties again, it could directly impact Lucy’s own financial standing, including her credit rating.
Ryan’s money troubles are no secret. Before meeting Lucy, he was declared bankrupt in 2013 despite earning a reported £100,000 a year during his time on Coronation Street. The situation stemmed from an unpaid £40,000 tax bill, sending him into a spiral of debt that took years to recover from.
While he has since worked hard to rebuild his finances, concerns haven’t entirely disappeared. As recently as last year, company filings revealed that his business, R James Thomas Ltd, had just £1 in its accounts, alongside an outstanding Covid Bounce Back Loan of over £30,000.
Even though bankruptcy typically disappears from credit records after six years, its impact can linger much longer — especially in situations requiring full financial disclosure.
Still, not everyone is convinced money is the only factor at play.
Another source insisted the couple are simply content with their current life — balancing parenthood with busy careers — and may not feel the urgency to formalise their relationship just yet.
Their love story, after all, has already defied the odds.
Ryan himself admitted he nearly ended things before they even began. Speaking on his podcast with brothers Scott and Adam, he confessed he had planned to call things off on their very first date after returning from filming — even admitting he found it “a bit unattractive” that Lucy liked him so much.
But everything changed the moment he saw her.
He recalled how Lucy looked “incredible” and was “really cool,” and after a spontaneous kiss in his brother’s car, he realised he was “in it for the long haul.”
Seven years on, that decision still stands — even if the wedding doesn’t.
