Adam has revealed the agony he was in (Picture: Shutterstock)
Strictly Come Dancing star Adam Thomas has revealed he was in so much pain over his chronic health condition that he couldn’t even walk.
The Waterloo Road actor, 35, is heading into the ballroom alongside the likes of Angela Rippon, Les Dennis, EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier and Love Island’s Zara McDermott.
But it’s been no easy feat.
After being announced as one of the stars in this year’s Strictly line-up, Adam revealed he had faced a struggle while getting into shape for the series.
The dad-of-two had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory autoimmune condition, which can impact movement and affect his training.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk ahead of taking to the ballroom, Adam shared an update on his health condition.
He said: ‘So far so good, I’m on really strong medication at the minute.’
‘It’s been tough, but I’m on the road to recovery,’ he added.
The actor is ‘on the road to recovery’ (Picture: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)
Adam went on: ‘A couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t really walk, I couldn’t really do much.
‘So to get to this point that I’m at now, I’m just so happy. I just want to get on that dance floor, start moving, and I’m just happy to be here and to be able to do it.’
He added: ‘I don’t care how far I get, I’m just happy to be here.’
Adam had announced in August that he had been diagnosed with the chronic condition, saying at the time that that the dancing show actually couldn’t have come at a better time for him.
The NHS describes rheumatoid arthritis as a ‘long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints’ with the main affected areas being the hands, feet and wrists.’
There is no cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can prevent ‘flare-ups’ from being a common occurrence. However, depending on the severity of the pain, stiffness, and swelling, sufferers might find overcoming everyday tasks more of a challenge, and have to adapt accordingly.
Dad-of-two Adam thanked his wife of six years Caroline for her support (Picture: Instagram/Adam Thomas/Getty)
The star confessed he’d suffered pain for eight months now, and after a lot of back and forth with doctors, finally has a diagnosis.
While Adam admitted he was still learning about the disease, he thanked his family – wife of six years Caroline Daly, and kids Teddy and Elsie-Rose – for all their support.
Ahead of celebrating his 35th birthday, he wrote: ‘As much as I act like a kid, my body is telling another story… I’ve been in a lot of pain since January, it started with my knees and then traveled to my wrists, fingers and now ankles and toes.
‘I never knew what was happening and finally after several blood tests and back and forth to doctors and hospitals, I’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid Arthritis!
‘I thought that was something people, later on in there life get… but that’s not the case, clearly!
‘It’s been a tough old year but … Finally I’m on the right plan now! Finally getting it under control. For now! 👀 But some days are better than others and am not going to lie, it’s been hard not being able to train properly, it’s has had a huge knock on effect for me personally, but not only that for my family too!!
Adam insists Strictly couldn’t have come at a better time (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
‘And I just want to say thank you to @carolinethomas23 and the kids for going on this journey with me, as I know it’s been challenging and frustrating at times but hopefully we’re on the right path now!
‘I don’t know too much about the condition yet as am still learning but, what I have done is learnt a lot about myself and the fact I’d be lost with out this lot!
‘The reason I signed up to strictly is because I just want to be able to move again, get fit and do it, all with a smile on my face!
‘It really couldn’t have come at a better time I’m a firm believer of everything happening for a reason, and I know the journey I’ve been on was meant to happen, to never take small things in life for granted! …Like going for a run, playing with my kids and just being able to walk with no pain!
‘I know it’s going to be tough and I’ve definitely got my work cut out but am up for the challenge and can not wait to get on that dance floor!!
‘I suppose the reason am telling you this is if anyone out there, is suffering what ever your situation… stay strong get the right help where and when you can!
‘But most importantly stay positive! ❤️’
‘A very rare sight … me with my top off!’ (Picture: Instagram)
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The condition usually affects the hands, feet and wrists.
Sometimes symptoms can ‘flare up’ and become worse, which can be difficult to predict.
With treatment it’s possible to decrease how much this happens and minimise or prevent long-term damage to the joints.
Other more general symptoms include tiredness and weight loss.
Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis early on is important, as early treatment can help reduce the risk of joint damage.
It is an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system mistakenly attacks cells which line your joints, leading to pain, swelling and stiffness.
Over time it can affect not only joints and cartilage, but also bone.
While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, early diagnosis and treatments can allow sufferers months or even years between flare-ups.
Medicine, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy help keep people mobile, and surgery may be required to help any joint problems that may develop.
Depending on the severity of your arthritis, people may be forced to adapt how they do every day tasks.
Complications include the potential of rheumatoid arthritis to lead to other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, inflammation of other parts of the body (eyes, lungs, heart), and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
He later shared an update on Instagram, with a rare shirtless photo of himself after a session in the swimming pool.
Flexing his bicep, he wrote: ‘A very rare sight – me with my top off!’
He then went into much greater detail about how arthritis has affected his training for the series and how it might affect him going forward.
‘I need to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable! I’m not in the best shape of my life but I could be worse.’
‘This year has been tough – but I’ve just got to stay focused now.
‘I’m still struggling and the pain is still there but I’m putting on a brave face.’
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He continued: ‘Swimming helps me so much with my arthritis. I mean, as much as it kills me getting my top off and going for a swim, I know it’s helping me.’
‘I know it’s also helping me deal with the issues I’ve got with me and my body. Which is a good thing,’ he concluded his statement.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, September 16.
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Sounds like agony!