JAGS highlights the ABCDs of COVID‐19 in geriatrics and long‐term care
British father faces having to sleep rough in Texas after being marooned because of the coronavirus

The family of Ian Thorpe’s former long term boyfriend Ryan Channing have broken their heartbreaking silence following the successful businessman’s sudden death in Bali at the age of 32. 

Channing, a model, lawyer and skincare brand creator from Perth, Western Australia, was rushed to a local hospital on Sunday, where he later died.

Channing was based in Australia but regularly flew to the Indonesian holiday isle and Los Angeles for business.

He shared a close bond with his younger brother Jake, who confirmed the shock death of his ‘beautiful big brother’ in an emotional tribute on Wednesday.

‘Seeing as the news headlines beat my whole family to posting about this unfortunate time in our lives, it’s with a heavy heart I announce that my brother Ryan has recently passed away on Sunday the 8th of May at 32 years of age. 

As we seek answers and try come to terms with the heartbreaking loss of my beautiful big brother, we ask for your prayers, support and privacy, he will be forever loved, never forgotten and forever young.

‘To my big brother, I love you, I’ll see you one day soon you’ll be missed more than you know.’

Ian Thorpe's (right) ex-boyfriend Ryan Channing (left) has died suddenly while in Bali

Ian Thorpe's (right) ex-boyfriend Ryan Channing (left) has died suddenly while in Bali

Ian Thorpe’s (right) ex-boyfriend Ryan Channing (left) has died suddenly while in Bali 

A friend told News Corp that Channing, a successful businessman, had been ‘battling health issues’ for some time.

Channing was the first long term boyfriend of former Olympic swimming champion Thorpe after coming out as gay. 

The pair were in an on-again, off-again relationship for four years until they split for good in 2019.

A friend said that Channing had been 'battling health issues' for some time

A friend said that Channing had been 'battling health issues' for some time

Channing shared a photo of himself in hospital after contracting Covid in March. This was his last post

Channing shared a photo of himself in hospital after contracting Covid in March. This was his last post

A friend said that Channing had been ‘battling health issues’ for some time. Pictured right is his final post taken from hospital when he had Covid

Thorpe and Channing both advocated for equality and gay marriage in Australia

Thorpe and Channing both advocated for equality and gay marriage in Australia

Thorpe and Channing both advocated for equality and gay marriage in Australia

Channing posted a picture from Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital eight weeks ago saying ‘Covid got me GEWD (good)’, after testing positive to the virus.

However, it’s not clear whether the virus or its after effects may have played any role in his sudden death.  

A representative for Thorpe said his thoughts were with Ryan’s family. 

Channing was most recently running a skincare company The Blaq Group which he founded and owns brands Blaq, Flight Mode and Generation Skin.

Last July he revealed he was filming a pilot for a new reality show on Netflix in Los Angeles, called The Skintrepreneurs, which would follow his business activities.

Channing and Thorpe began dating in 2015 with the pair earlier revealing they were hoping to have a baby together through a surrogate in the United States

Channing and Thorpe began dating in 2015 with the pair earlier revealing they were hoping to have a baby together through a surrogate in the United States

Channing and Thorpe began dating in 2015 with the pair earlier revealing they were hoping to have a baby together through a surrogate in the United States

Channing was Thorpe's first official boyfriend after coming out as gay in an interview with Michael Parkinson following years of speculation

Channing was Thorpe's first official boyfriend after coming out as gay in an interview with Michael Parkinson following years of speculation

Channing was Thorpe’s first official boyfriend after coming out as gay in an interview with Michael Parkinson following years of speculation 

Channing and the swimming champ were together on and off for four years before calling it quits in mid-June

Channing and the swimming champ were together on and off for four years before calling it quits in mid-June

Channing and the swimming champ were together on and off for four years before calling it quits in mid-June

Channing has worked as a lawyer and model, and owned his own skincare brand

Channing has worked as a lawyer and model, and owned his own skincare brand

Channing has worked as a lawyer and model, and owned his own skincare brand

LIFE AND TIMES OF RYAN CHANNING 

2015: Ryan Channing starts dating Australian Olympic champion Ian Thorpe

In an interview from 2016, Channing described how easy it was for him to come out to his parents.

‘I was actually very lucky with my experience as I never really had to come out,’ he told Guys Like U.

‘I used to bring my gay friends over to our family home and after a while my mum started to notice that my friends were gay and one day she asked me if I was like them. 

‘I have to admit, I was a slightly anxious about the question, but when she asked I simply said ”yes”.’ 

2015-2017: Channing works as a lawyer in both Sydney and Paris 

November, 2016: Channing stars his own skincare company Blaq before founding The Blaq Group in 2018

He now sells gender-neutral products made from natural ingredients all over the world 

Early 2019: Thorpe and Channing reveal they are hoping to have a baby through a surrogate in the US

June, 2019: Channing reveals the pair have split. He was Thorpe’s first boyfriend after he came out in an interview in 2014

2021: Channing comes in at 32 on Australia’s Top 100 Young Entrepreneurs list 

May, 2022: Friends confirm Channing has passed away in Bali 

<!—->

Advertisement

He was best known to most Australians for his relationship with Thorpe, one of the country’s greatest ever Olympians.

At one point in their relationship, Channing and Thorpe were actively considering having a child via surrogacy. 

When discussing their plans to have a baby in 2019, Channing told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Becoming parents is something that Ian and myself would love to make happen.

‘Unfortunately the laws in Australia are difficult for same sex males in regards to surrogacy – California state law has really progressed in this space which makes it the best option legally.

‘Something I would love to see progress further in Australia so same sex couples don’t have to travel abroad to achieve their family goals.’ 

Channing founded his skincare business in 2018, aiming to provide gender-neutral products that were all Australian-made and natural.

He was dubbed one of Australia’s most influential ecommerce entrepreneurs when he took his business international to the US and Europe.

Channing was a successful businessman and revealed last year he was working on a pilot for a new reality TV show

Channing was a successful businessman and revealed last year he was working on a pilot for a new reality TV show

Channing was a successful businessman and revealed last year he was working on a pilot for a new reality TV show

In an interview with Dynamic Business in 2020, Channing said his work as a model taught him the importance of self care.

‘I wanted the products to be approachable for anyone, to be inclusive of both genders as we all face the same skin-concern in one way or another,’ he said.

He credited his success to ‘pure hustle and not giving up because one door said no’. 

A year after splitting with Thorpe, Channing revealed in June, 2020 he was engaged to engineer Leevon Baptiste. 

Do you know more? Email [email protected] 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Evan Peters’ Most Memorable Characters Through the Years

Evan Peters is a heartthrob for many with his dynamic character and…

Louise Wanless Obituary, Death Cause – How Did Sunderland Media Chief Die?

Louise Wanless obituary has been announced by Sunderland AFC. Let us learn…

Tyson Barrie Height, Weight, Net Worth, Age, Birthday, Wikipedia, Who, Nationality, Biography

Tyson Barrie is a safeguard for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the…

Elena Moussa’s Wiki Biography. Who is Greg Gutfeld’s wife?

Who is Elena Moussa, Greg Gutfeld’s Wife? Greg Gutfeld is a rather…