Adam Thomas, known for his role as Donte Charles in the popular BBC series Waterloo Road, has opened up about his ongoing battle with arthritis in a candid interview with Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid. Despite being only 36 years old, Adam has been living with an autoimmune disease for over two years, a condition that many might not associate with someone of his age.
The actor was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2023. He’s since said that he has psoriatic arthritis, which the NHS describes as a “long-term condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness”.
In a revealing conversation on the Good Morning Britain couch, Susanna commented on how surprising it is that someone as young as Adam would suffer from arthritis, a condition typically linked to older age. Adam, however, confirmed the reality of his situation. “That’s right,” he said.
Susanna continued, referencing Adam’s brief role as a P.E. teacher in Waterloo Road: “We’re laughing about the fact that you would be a P.E teacher but it actually impedes your movement, doesn’t it?”
Adam agreeing with Susanna said: “Yes definitely and yes I’ve been struggling with this autoimmune disease now for about two and a half years. It’s been tough. I’m not overexaggerating when I say this but literally within two and a half years, every day I’ve been in pain. It’s difficult but now I feel like I’ve found – because I’ve been on so many different meds and trying so many different things, back and forth from doctor’s and hospitals.”
Despite his condition, Adam competed in the twenty-first series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. He was eliminated in week seven, following a dance-off against Angela Rippon and her pro partner, Kai Widdrington.
In October 2024, Adam revealed that he could “barely walk” and was enduring “pretty unbearable” pain due to his arthritis. Adam took to Instagram and told his followers: “The pain is pretty unbearable at the moment, it’s as if my whole body is seizing up!! The pain was bad before, but it’s a lot worse now… how why??? Now I wish I never came off the methotrexate because I would take that pain to this every day of the week!
“I’ve just started my new medication today which takes 12 weeks to take effect and even then it might not work so am not too sure what I can do to ease the pain until then?? I’ve had my steroid injections and it literally lasted a week … Going to check in at the hospital tomorrow to see what pain relief I can get, because I can’t carry on like this!”
Adam continued: “I couldn’t even get dressed this morning on my own, couldn’t drive to work. I mean I can barely walk and my wrists and fingers feel like they’re broken – that’s no exaggeration! I wouldn’t have got out of bed today if it wasn’t for work. It got better throughout the day with a s**tload of painkillers! But wow… these last few days have been scary had a little cry to myself today it can just really get on top of you!”
He added: “Am not saying this for a sob story or for sympathy just trying to bring awareness to this disease and what so many others are going through – the good, the bad [and] the ugly … I’m lucky I have a great support system and not many do so to anyone who is going through the same thing and is alone; I see you you, I feel you!! It’s going to get better. Don’t give up. If you know anyone who’s suffering just give them a call and check in.”
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