Ryan Thomas has hit back at claims that his 16-year-old daughter Scarlett is a 'nepo baby' benefiting from family connections, insisting she 'worked damn hard' for her role on BBC's Waterloo Road. The actress, who shares her father with Coronation Street star Tina O'Brien, has been tipped for a £2million payday.
In an interview with The Sun, Thomas said: 'Everyone thinks she gets a lift up from family, getting on Waterloo Road. But she worked damn hard to get that job, and people need to recognise that she’s a talented girl – she’s up against other people and she’s not getting a free ride.' He added that Scarlett had to go through the same audition process as everyone else.
Scarlett, who plays Izzie Charles on the BBC drama, recently addressed the criticism on TikTok. In a video lip-syncing to the Commodores' 'Easy', she wrote: 'God forbid a girl takes the chances she gets.' The clip garnered nearly three million views.
Industry experts have predicted that Scarlett could earn at least £2million before she turns 18, with her social media presence and acting career on the rise. Her uncle Adam Thomas, who played her on-screen father on Waterloo Road, also defended her, saying: 'She’s a talented girl.'
