Ian Thorpe’s ex-boyfriend Ryan Channing suddenly dies in Bali after “battling health issues”

Ian Thorpe’s former long term partner Ryan Channing has tragically passed away in Bali, aged 32.

A friend told News Corp that the 32-year-old had been “battling health issues” for a while.

“Everyone is distraught. It is just so sad and everyone is shocked,” a close friend told the publication.

It’s believed Ryan was taken to Bali’s BIMC Hospital on May 8.

After coming out, Ian’s first major relationship was with Ryan, an Aussie model and entrepreneur.

The pair started dating in 2015 before breaking up in June, 2019.

“Yes, the rumours are true, we have parted ways. It has all been very amicable. We have stayed friends.” Ryan revealed to The Daily Telegraph at the time.

The pair were regular fixtures on the glamorous event circuit and were regularly photographed together on the red carpet. They also happily shared many cute couple photos on Instagram.

The Olympic swimming legend and Ryan made no secret of the fact that they were keen to start a family together, even seeking out a potential surrogate and other fertility options.

While there were rumours that their decision to pursue family planning options was behind the couple’s split, Ryan confirmed that wasn’t actually the case.

“There has been talk Ian wasn’t ready for a family. I can’t comment on his behalf, but that was never a discussion as to why we were separating,” he told WHO in 2019.

“It was more around the busy lifestyles we lead now, and the fact it was hard to manage the relationship with the travel schedules we have.”

Ryan explained he was always planning to have a child – and his former boyfriend was well aware of his plans.

“Ian has known from the very beginning this was my plan and he came into that plan because we were together … Having a child is something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Despite their split, Ian and Ryan always remained good friends.

In fact, the former couple were so close that they were photographed having dinner together in Sydney in July 2020 with Ryan’s new fiancé Leevon Baptiste.