On 23 March 2009, it was announced that former Hollyoaks actor James Sutton would be joining the cast of Emmerdale as the son of already established character Faye Lamb.

[1] Speaking in an interview with Digital Spy, Sutton commented on Ryan: "He's a laddish lad and an out-of-work mechanic.

He's a nice guy, but when the storyline progresses and we discover things about Ryan's family, the audience might possibly see another side to him – maybe a darker side..."[2] In February 2011, it was announced that James Sutton will leaving Emmerdale towards the end of the year, coinciding with the departure of Kim Thomson, who plays his screen mother Faye.

Commenting on his departure, Sutton said: "I feel that Ryan's storylines have drawn to a natural conclusion and, although I'll be sad to say goodbye, I'm excited about what the future holds."

Also, Emmerdale's executive producer Steve November said: "James has been a much valued member of the cast and we wish him all the best for the future."

He gets a job working for Debbie Dingle as a mechanic, and settles into village life and making friends.

Refusing to cheat on Katie, Ryan ended their relationship in January 2010 and started dating Maisie.

On the day they decided to consummate their relationship, they heard Mark, Faye and Maisie's mother Natasha, arguing downstairs and after forcing their parents to reveal the truth, discovered that they are half-siblings.

In April 2010, Ryan moves into Dale View with Andy Sugden and at their housewarming party, he is kissed by Eve Jenson.

After Mark's body is discovered by Sam Dingle in July 2010, the police arrest Nathan but he is released without charge.

The following week, Maisie visits Ryan again to tell him that she now has a photo that could prove his innocence and that she will give it to his solicitor but it is not enough to get him released on bail.

Ryan also embarks on a relationship with prison guard Abi Peterson who gives him a mobile phone so he can call Faye.

Maisie returns in October 2010 and visits Ryan again, and promises to help prove his innocence and later confronts Nathan, demanding to know the truth.

Ryan is tried and found guilty of murder and both Faye and Maisie are upset and angry and both believed that Nathan was Mark's killer.

Ryan's friend and colleague at the garage, Cain Dingle, kidnaps Nathan and with Maisie's help they intimidate him into revealing that Natasha killed Mark.

After getting drunk in the Woolpack one night, Ryan confronts Nathan whilst he is having a drink with barmaid Alicia Gallagher and squares up to him.

He then leaves the pub and smashes Nathan's car window and the brothers nearly have a fight but Maisie splits them up and Ryan goes home.

After breaking off her engagement to Nikhil, Maisie tells Ryan that she intends to move to Dartford with Will to live with their Aunt.

In March, Faye decides to leave the village and move to San Francisco after losing her job.

As she is preparing to leave she tearfully bids Ryan farewell, telling him that she will miss him and he waves her off, along with Katie and Cain.

But Cain does not listen and the following month, he tricks Ryan into acting as a lookout whilst he burgles Holdgate Farm and steals Jai Sharma's car.

He resigns from his job at the garage and Debbie begs him to stay but he refuses, telling her that he has no family in the village nor a girlfriend.