Strictly Come Dancing favourite Tom Skinner has revealed a terrifying health ordeal that left him convinced he was suffering a heart attack while on a family holiday.
The former professional footballer and BBC star opened up exclusively about the sudden medical emergency that saw him rushed for treatment, fearing the worst for his life.
The incident occurred during a trip to Portugal, a getaway that quickly turned from relaxation to panic. Skinner described the moment he was struck by an intense, crippling pain that radiated through his chest and arm – classic symptoms that screamed cardiac arrest.
'My Arm Went Dead - I Was Convinced It Was The End'
"Out of nowhere, I had this searing pain in my chest and my left arm just went dead," Skinner recounted. "The pain was unbelievable. I honestly thought, 'This is it. I'm having a heart attack.' It was the most scared I've ever been."
Rushed to a local medical facility, Tom underwent a series of urgent tests. The atmosphere was fraught with tension as he and his family awaited results, bracing for a life-changing diagnosis.
A Shocking Diagnosis & A Strictly Come Dancing Link
In a surprising twist, doctors diagnosed the issue not as a heart condition, but as a severe case of costochondritis – a painful inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone.
Skinner believes the condition was a direct result of the intense physical exertion from his time on the hit BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing, followed by a sudden drop in activity. "You go from training for hours every single day to just stopping. My body basically went into shock," he explained.
The father-of-two has since been focusing on his recovery, prioritising rest and a carefully managed return to exercise. The scare has given him a new perspective on his health and wellbeing.
"It was a massive wake-up call," he admitted. "You think you're invincible, especially after getting through something like Strictly. This taught me to listen to my body. I'm just grateful it wasn't more serious and that I'm here for my kids."
