Ryan's storylines include discovering that Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) is not his biological mother, his relationships with Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson), Katy Armstrong (Georgia May Foote) and Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), becoming a drug abuser, feuds with his brother Ali Neeson (Dario Coates/James Burrows), along with fellow residents Vinnie Powers (Ian Dunn), Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies), and Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien); encouraging his own friend Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) to take drugs; being in debt to drug lord Ronan Truman (Alan McKenna) that results in the character being run over by the latter; and getting beat up by local builder Gary Windass (Mikey North) after unwittingly getting involved in his loan-sharking empire.

Ryan's current storylines include; steroid abuse, online sex work and his love affair with Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan).

Tony sends Ryan home as he is too young to go to a strip club and later that night Liam is killed in a hit-and-run.

The factory's owner, Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis), proves Ryan faked his fall when he and Michelle see him performing the limbo in a bar.

Ryan begins working at Street Cars taxi firm and befriends Kylie Platt (Paula Lane).

Ryan struggles with a serious relationship and caring for Katy's young son, Joseph Brown (Lucca-Owen Warwick).

When Robert's best man cancels his stag do, Ryan arranges a pop star-themed party, where he clashes with Alex, now known as Ali (now played by James Burrows).

On Michelle's wedding day, Ryan goes missing but is collected from a house by Robert and Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).

However, as the pair prepare to leave The Rovers Return to go to the wedding, Daisy is confronted by her stalker Justin Rutherford (Andrew Still), who throws a glass of acid at her.

Ryan is later visited by doctors, who say that they were successful in removing damaged tissue from him, but say that it is too early to know if he would need a skin graft for his face.

After having the skin graft, Ryan prepares to leave the hospital when a young girl wanders into his room and stares at his scars, which upsets him.

Daisy tries to convince Ryan to go to the trial, but he does not want to as he believes that the information Karen passed on about them will cause Justin to walk free.

Ryan gives his statement but is angered when Justin's defence barrister accuses him of being in love with Daisy and organising the acid attack himself.

After returning to the court, Ryan is pleased when the jury find Justin guilty, but tells Daisy that they should keep a distance from each other because of their kiss.

After returning home with Carla, Ryan after being concerned about lack of texts from Crystal, looks online and sees news that she is in a coma.

Ryan takes the steroids and makes workout videos for his account on a website called Ovidz but does not show his face.

Ryan also moves out of Carla's home and begins flat sharing with Lauren Bolton (Cait Fritton).

Angered to see the man responsible for his injuries again, Ryan tackles him to the ground before being restrained by Daisy and Max.

Afterwards, Ryan uploads a video onto Ovidz, showing his face and announcing that he was closing down his account and says that he did something that hurt someone he cared about, referring to his attack on Gav in Daisy's presence.

[1] In October 2007, it was announced that an upcoming storyline would involve Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) finding out that Ryan may not be her son.

[5] In August 2010, it was rumoured that Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson was considering axing a number of the younger cast including Ryan, Chesney Battersby-Brown (Sam Aston) and Gary Windass (Mikey North) because he feared that the show was becoming more like Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.

[11] Series producer Collinson said "Ryan returns carrying a dark secret and Michelle is going to have the fight of her life as she battles to get her troubled son back on the straight and narrow.

"[12][13] In May 2012, it was rumoured that once Ryan would return he would now be a much darker character and would become involved in a drug storyline with Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent).

Heras commented that his character has not really noticed Katy before, as she is a stay at home mother, but seeing her "dolled up" and in his environment catches his attention.

[18] Foote believed that Katy had not had a "teenage wild time" because of her relationship with Chesney and their son, so her head is turned by Ryan and it is exciting for her.

[17] Chesney later proposes to Katy in front of their family and friends at Faye Windass' (Ellie Leach) birthday party, but hours later he learns about her affair with Ryan.

[19] On 21 July 2013, Ed Gleave and Susan Hill from the Daily Star reported that Heras had quit Coronation Street.

Ryan returns following the reintroduction of Michelle's biological son, Ali Neeson (James Burrows).

[24] Paparazzi photographs were released showing Prescott filming with cast members Tristan Gemmill (Robert Preston) and Rob Mallard (Daniel Osbourne).

The character made a previously unannounced departure on 20 December 2023 after he moves to Glasgow for a DJ gig after his affair with Daisy Midgeley was exposed.