Hollywood dream come true for Ryan (From Penarth Times)

Hollywood dream come true for Ryan

10:05pm Thursday 20th April 2006 in Latest news

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Ryan Thomson has had the most egg-citing Easter break - winning both a top boxing accolade and bagging a family holiday to Hollywood!

Ryan, of Matthew Terrace, Dinas Powys, won the week-long break on ITV kids programme Holly and Stephen s Saturday Showdown on April 1.

The youngster, who attends Murch Junior School, originally didn t win on the phone in competition. But the show s producers phoned him back and gave him a second chance.

When I didn t win, said Ryan, who lives with his mum Samantha Rainbird, dad Mark Thomson and sister Jessica, seven, I just said sorry mum, dad, and Jess , and went off to play football.

Then when I was playing football, they phoned me back on my uncle s phone. I was so nervous. I had to run off the football pitch as I couldn t hear what they were saying.

I couldn t believe it when they said I d won! I was so excited.

Ryan s exciting trip includes staying at a top hotel on Sunset Boulevard, guest passes to watch new film The Shaggy Dog Story being filmed, passes to Universal Studios and $200 spending money.

And on Monday, April 3, Ryan reached the Welsh ABA Boxing finals at Cardiff YMCA, and after putting on a great performance, he won a Welsh title.