Lucy Mecklenburgh has set tongues wagging after confessing that she now sleeps in a different bedroom from fiancé Ryan Thomas — with experts warning the arrangement could create “cracks” in their relationship.
Appearing on the At Home With The Thomas Bros podcast, the 34-year-old revealed that after eight years together she has made the decision to sleep apart from Ryan, 41, branding him a “nightmare sleeper.”
“Basically, we sleep in separate bedrooms because Ryan is a nightmare,” Lucy admitted. “He snores, he sleep talks, he whacks me in his sleep.”
Speaking to Ryan and his brothers Adam and Scott, Lucy explained that the change was all about survival, adding: “It’s just to get a good night’s sleep — and that’s become normal now.”
The former TOWIE star, who shares two children with Ryan — Roman, five, and Lilah, three — revealed she often ends up cuddling up with their son to make sure she gets some decent rest.
But couples’ counsellor Caron Barruw believes the move could have consequences. With nearly three decades of experience, she warned: “From what I’ve seen, sleeping apart often leads to a divide. I’ve never seen it strengthen a relationship — it should be done with huge caution.
“I always say to clients: be careful, because you’re literally setting the groundwork for two different lives.”
While acknowledging that medical issues can make sleeping apart necessary, Caron added: “Creating a barrier to intimacy can lead to cracks in a relationship.”
However, insiders insist Lucy and Ryan are unbothered by the criticism. A source told OK!: “They do what works for them — they don’t really care what anyone else thinks. Because of Ryan’s work, Lucy does most of the heavy lifting with the kids and she needs her sleep.
“They love each other very much and they’re not missing out on anything. They still spend quality time together — they just don’t want ruined sleep afterwards.”
Some experts even say the arrangement can be healthy. Sex and relationship therapist Rhian Kivits explained: “Sleeping apart can be beneficial when there are young children, travel commitments or work pressures. Being well-rested helps couples operate as a team.
“Sometimes, having space at night allows people to decompress — and absence can make the heart grow fonder.”
Caron suggested that long-term solutions could include tackling Ryan’s snoring or investing in a bigger bed, adding: “You can still lie together at night, talk, hold hands, maybe watch TV — then one of you leaves when it’s time to sleep and comes back in the morning so you don’t lose those rituals.”
Lucy and Ryan first met in 2017 on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls and got engaged in Italy in 2019. They welcomed Roman in March 2020 and Lilah in May 2022. Ryan is also dad to Scarlett from his previous relationship with Corrie co-star Tina O’Brien.
They’re far from alone. Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley recently declared “separate bedrooms all the way,” while Helen Flanagan, Vicky Pattison — and even members of the Royal Family — have spoken openly about their own “sleep divorce” arrangements.
As Lucy and Ryan juggle work, fame and parenthood, fans are left wondering: is this just a practical solution — or the first sign of something deeper behind closed doors?
