Former Emmerdale star Adam Thomas has bravely shared his harrowing health battle, revealing he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis—a condition that left him fearing for his life.
The 35-year-old actor, best known for playing Adam Barton in the long-running ITV soap, admitted he initially dismissed his symptoms as minor aches. However, the pain quickly escalated, leaving him unable to walk or even hold a cup of tea.
'I Thought I Was Dying'
Thomas described the terrifying moment he realised something was seriously wrong. "I woke up one morning and couldn't move," he recalled. "Every joint in my body was on fire. I genuinely thought I was dying."
After weeks of tests, doctors confirmed he had rheumatoid arthritis—an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation. The diagnosis came as a shock to the typically active actor.
Career Impact and Recovery
The condition forced Thomas to take a step back from acting temporarily. "There were days I couldn't get out of bed, let alone perform," he admitted.
However, with treatment and lifestyle changes, Thomas has made significant progress. He's now using his platform to raise awareness about the condition, which affects over 400,000 people in the UK.
Key facts about rheumatoid arthritis:
- Affects about 1% of the UK population
- Can develop at any age, though most common between 40-60
- Women are three times more likely to be affected than men
- Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent joint damage
Thomas remains optimistic about his future, both personally and professionally. "This diagnosis changed my life, but it hasn't ended it," he said. "I'm learning to manage the condition and excited about what's next."
