I used a voip service for my UK number, porting my existing UK number over to them. This allows me to make and receive UK phone calls at no cost as well as receive and make texts. I pay around £8-9 for this.
I just install their app.
This means it also frees up my sim slot and my eSIM on my phone.
I use a physical Thai sim out here and my eSIM if I need data in another country.