Ryan Thomas has addressed his brother Adam’s health battle after his difficulties filming this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Waterloo Road actor Adam, 35, was the sixth contestant to leave Strictly last month with his pro partner Luba Mushtuk.
But behind the scenes of the dancing contest, Adam was undergoing a serious and painful health battle.
He revealed in August that he had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, explaining the pain was sometimes so severe he was left barely able to walk or unable to get out of bed.
Adam has been feeling so unwell that he was unable to join in the latest episode of Mancs On The Mic with his famous brothers – Coronation Street star Ryan, 39 and Love Island’s Scott, 35.
Ryan Thomas has addressed his brother Adam’s health battle after his difficulties filming this year’s Strictly Come Dancing
Behind the scenes of the dancing contest, Adam was undergoing a serious and painful health battle
Scott announced Adam’s absence, revealing that he was having one of his ‘bad days’.
Scott said: ‘He’s not hungover, he’s actually struggling with his arthritis, he has good days and bad days and today is one of those bad days.’
Ryan then gave a health update on his brother, adding: ‘I always reach out to Adam and I can see it in his face and I can see the pain he’s going through.
‘What happened during Strictly is he was on medication, adrenaline, and that’s what gets you through an experience like that but I think now coming off the back of it he did say the other day he was walking really funny.
‘And it’s so so hard to watch, he went “wow, the medication has worn off’, so he’s in a lot of discomfort and pain with this and I think he’s really suffering with it, and it’s not nice to watch.’
Adam was the sixth contestant to be eliminated from Strictly last month after being partnered with pro Luba Mushtuk for the 2023 series.
Ryan previously praised the star for getting so far and called him an ‘inspiration’ for dancing while suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
He gushed that Adam had pushed through the pain and added: ‘People have no idea what that guy’s been through.’
Adam was the sixth contestant to be eliminated from Strictly last month after being partnered with pro Luba Mushtuk for the 2023 series
Adam revealed he had arthritis in August, explaining the pain was sometimes so severe he was left barely able to walk or unable to get out of bed
Adam didn’t record the latest episode of Mancs On The Mic with his famous brothers Ryan (left) and Scott (right)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term illness in which the immune system causes the body to attack itself, causing painful, swollen and stiff joints.
RA, the second most common form of arthritis that often begins between the ages of 40 and 50, tends to strike the hands, wrists and knees.
Scientists are currently unsure as to the exact cause of RA, but smoking, eating lots of red meat and coffee drinkers are at higher risk.
A cure has yet to be found, but treatments are available and proven to help slow down the progressive condition.
Adam has also revealed his diagnosis had inspired him to sign up for Strictly, as he wanted to ‘be able to move again, get fit and do it, all with a smile on my face!’
Adam was left in agony with severe pain in his knees which then travelled to his ankles, toes, wrists and fingers.
He went to hospital to undergo medical tests during filming.
Taking to his Instagram Story, Ryan filmed himself singing his sibling’s praises, saying: ‘Guys, can we just talk about how amazing my brother is? I mean, who needs friends when you have brothers like me.
‘I’m in awe of the guy. He’s an inspiration to me because he’s completely stepped out of his comfort zone – mentally, physically, emotionally – and I know I speak to him most days, if not every day, and I know what he’s been through.
‘The pain that he covers up with a smile on his face because of his arthritis. People have no idea what that guy’s been through.’
The Coronation Street star continued: ‘He doesn’t complain, he just gets his head down and gets on with it and to watch him progress in that show and get so much out of it…
‘Everything happens for a reason, I really believe in that, and I know he’ll take this experience as a positive and I’m just proud of him. I’m really, really proud of him.’
Adam previously told how his arthritis symptoms were impacting his rehearsals for Strictly.
He said: ‘We’re trying our best to get through it and obviously there’s things I can and cannot do.
‘Some days are definitely tougher than others. Training in the morning is definitely a little bit harder, but we’re getting there. We’re doing alright. So far so good.’
Luba, 33, was in agreement, adding: ‘That’s exactly what I meant by [him] not complaining because he never says anything.
‘I can see that he might hurt a little, but he never says a thing. We just keep moving and keep going.’
The Waterloo Road star said Strictly came at just the right time as it gave him the opportunity to be able to ‘move again’.
He told the Mirror: ‘I’ve not talked about this before but no-one really knows the pain I’ve been going through. I put on a brave face but it’s been difficult to keep that persona up. Emotionally and physically, it’s had a huge impact on my life this year.’
‘I am slowly getting my arthritis under control, and it’s a chance for me to get out there again and to get fit and move again, and I’m just very thankful for it. It’s about trying to climb out of that hole and just trying to stay positive.’
Mancs on the Mic podcast is available now on Global Player with brand-new episodes every Friday.