As the excitement builds for Adam Thomas’ debut on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, there’s more to this beloved actor than his infectious smile and dancing skills. Behind the scenes, he has been dealing with a hidden pain, one that he bravely revealed shortly after being announced as one of the celebrities participating in the 2023 season of Strictly Come Dancing.
While many may know Adam Thomas for his iconic portrayal of Adam Barton in ITV’s Emmerdale from 2009 to 2018, he recently made a triumphant return to our screens in Waterloo Road, reprising his role as Donte Charles. This school-based drama series marked the start of his remarkable career 17 years ago, and its recent reboot in January brought both nostalgia and excitement to viewers.
In this latest iteration of Waterloo Road, Adam’s character, Donte Charles, has transformed. Once a bad boy, he is now a father and has taken up the role of the school’s caretaker following the tragic loss of his wife, Chlo Charles. Donte’s journey isn’t alone; he is a parent to two children, Izzie and Tommy, portrayed by none other than real-life family members. Izzie is played by Adam’s niece, Scarlett Thomas, while Tommy is portrayed by Adam’s own son, Teddy.
As Adam Thomas prepares tirelessly for Strictly Come Dancing, he also fulfills his filming commitments on Waterloo Road, ensuring he excels in both his dance routines and his role on the show.
Yet, beneath the glitz and glamour of showbiz, Adam has been facing a significant health challenge. The 35-year-old actor has shared his determination to regain his fitness after a previous transformation. He candidly took to social media a few months ago, expressing his resolve to overcome setbacks and make a change.
However, it was only earlier this month that Adam disclosed the issue that had been impeding his fitness journey. He revealed that he has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. RA is known to cause the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy cells, resulting in painful inflammation in affected parts of the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis primarily targets the joints, often causing pain, swelling, and stiffness in multiple joints. Adam detailed on Instagram that he had been in considerable pain since the beginning of the year, with symptoms initially affecting his knees before progressing to his wrists, fingers, ankles, and toes. His diagnosis came after numerous blood tests and consultations with doctors and hospitals.
Despite the challenges posed by RA, Adam remains steadfast in his commitment to managing the condition. He shares snapshots of his visits to the pool on social media, acknowledging that while it might be his “worst nightmare,” it helps alleviate the pain.
Throughout this journey, Adam has received an outpouring of support from his famous brothers and his wife, Caroline Daly. His older brother, Ryan Thomas, is a former star of Coronation Street, known for his role as Jason Grimshaw. Meanwhile, his twin brother, Scott, made a name for himself on Love Island and has ventured into multiple businesses, including a PR company in Manchester.
Adam’s wife, Caroline, is a trained and professional dancer who owns her own dance and drama school, the ABCD School of Dance and Drama. Their love story began in 2007 when Adam was just 19 years old and starring in Waterloo Road. They tied the knot a decade later and are the proud parents of two children: nine-year-old Teddy and five-year-old Elsie-Rose Thomas.
In a recent Instagram post, Adam took a moment to express his deep appreciation and love for his wife, Caroline. He shared a heartwarming picture of their family, including their children Teddy and Elsie, and conveyed his gratitude for her unwavering support. In the midst of her own busy schedule, Caroline manages to be “the best mum ever” and hold the fort while Adam follows his dreams.
As Adam Thomas prepares to grace the Strictly Come Dancing stage and showcase his dancing talents, he carries with him the love and support of his family. Viewers can catch his live performance as he dances the Cha Cha to “Waffle House” by the Jonas Brothers alongside his professional dance partner, Luba Mushtuk.