Ryan was a man who worked at Company magazine in London when George Smith and Esther Bloom were accepted for an internship in July 2012. The pair worked alongside Ryan, with Ryan and George getting close. Ryan took Esther and George on a night out where Ryan attempted to kiss George. George, conflicted over his feelings for Ryan, pulled away until Esther later convinced George to give into his feelings. After the internship ended, Ryan and George agreed to keep in contact.
Esther invited Ryan to join her, George and their friends at Maddie Morrison's holiday home in Abersoch in August 2012. The pair managed to pick up where they left off, even dating. However, George's long-term friend Phoebe Jackson attempted to sabotage their relationship by convincing George that Ryan only wanted him for sex. Ryan told George of his feelings for him, but George told him what Phoebe had said. An offended Ryan then left.