Louise Thompson’s fiancé, Ryan Libbey, has revealed he underwent a hair transplant, speaking candidly about his decision on the couple’s joint podcast in an effort to break what he described as a lingering taboo for men.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 35, said he was not an “obvious” candidate for the procedure but admitted he had become increasingly self-conscious about his hairline. Appearing on He Said, She Said, Ryan explained that while his concerns did not significantly impact his social life or confidence, they remained a persistent worry.
“The truth is, Louise and everyone listening, I had a hair transplant,” he said. “I probably wasn’t the most obvious candidate because I do have a lot of hair. But I had this underlying feeling — I was semi-conscious about my hairline. It was always a thought in the back of my mind.”
Ryan said he chose to speak publicly about his experience to encourage other men who may be struggling in silence. “A man losing their hair can be a terrible thing for their confidence,” he added. “It can make them feel less manly and less themselves. I had a good experience, and I hope men don’t sit in silence and let it eat them up.”
Louise echoed his comments, noting how rarely men discuss hair loss openly. “It’s crazy to me how few men speak out about it,” she said.
The couple later reinforced the message in a caption shared online, calling for greater openness around the issue. “Let’s break the hair transplant taboo,” the post read. “Being self-conscious about your hairline or losing hair is harder than people admit, and it affects more than just how you look — it affects how you feel.”
Ryan and Louise, who share a four-year-old son, Leo-Hunter, are currently navigating a difficult fertility journey as they hope to expand their family. Louise has been documenting the process publicly, offering frank updates about the physical and emotional challenges she continues to face following a traumatic birth experience in 2021.
The influencer and author nearly died during an emergency caesarean when Leo was born and has since spoken openly about developing PTSD and postnatal anxiety. She has also been diagnosed with lupus and Asherman’s syndrome, suffered a second haemorrhage and undergone surgery resulting in a stoma bag.
Speaking previously on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Louise said the long-term impact of those complications has left her feeling “less whole and human” as she and Ryan attempt to conceive again. She revealed that while she still has fertility potential, she no longer has a regular period, making the journey unpredictable and emotionally draining.
Louise also acknowledged that the prospect of another pregnancy has been particularly difficult for Ryan. “This has affected Ryan more than it has affected me,” she said. “For him, it’s about stability — he’s clinging on to it because he can’t go through that level of fear again.”
In recent updates shared on TikTok, Louise confirmed that lawyers are now involved in discussions around surrogacy, after receiving what she described as “heartbreaking” news about her IVF progress. She admitted she had hoped to feel more optimistic by this stage but is struggling with the uncertainty of outcomes and timelines.
Despite the challenges, Louise said she is trying to focus on work and small moments of joy to maintain balance. “I can’t problem-solve my way out of this one,” she said. “So I’m leaning on work, creativity and the little nuggets of happiness to keep me going.”
Together, the couple continue to share their experiences openly — from hair loss to fertility — with the aim of reducing stigma and helping others feel less alone.
