Former Strictly Come Dancing star Adam Thomas explained the severity of his arthritis during Wednesday’s episode of This Morning. While speaking to presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, ITV viewers learned that his wife had to help him get changed at one point due to the pain he was in.
Touching on Adam coming off of medication, Dr Zoe said: “With any illness like this, lifestyle first. If people can get themselves better and manage their illness with a lifestyle approach, fantastic.”
Detailing the former soap star taking on a carnivore diet, Dr Zoe explained it’s not recommended long term due to nutritional deficiencies. She added: “But, tell somebody like Adam, who at one point your wife had to help you get dressed in the morning, who was in that much pain, who’s now able to go to the gym and move freely because there’s been a dietary intervention to stop, they’re not going to.”
Adam confirmed his wife had to help him due to the pain while Dr Zoe was speaking. He went on to share how his condition impacted him while competing on Strictly Come Dancing.
In 2023, the actor competed in the BBC show alongside professional dancer Luba Mushtuk. The duo reached week seven before the judges sent them home.
Touching on his time in the show, he told the presenters: “I got the diagnosis literally just before I did Strictly. I signed up to do Strictly way before any of this.
“So, I just thought the pain would go away, and it didn’t. Doing Strictly, it was very challenging.” As Ben joked that there was a reason behind his inability to dance, the soap star burst out laughing.
He replied: “You had to go there, didn’t you?! But, you look back at some of the dances and I don’t do any lifts or any swirls or anything like that. I couldn’t lift her up. But, even after the diagnosis it’s finding the right medication that works for you and every body is different.”
Ben questioned if there was any family history of the condition or whether it came out of the blue. Adam revealed that it had come out of nowhere for him, although it was hereditary.
He added: “That’s what worries me the most. My kids might possibly get this one day. So I’m doing everything and anything I can do now to try and find a blueprint, so if it does happen, then I can pass that information on.”
Touching on the medication he took, Adam shared there was one particular one, which was a short dose of chemotherapy. Sharing some of the side effects he had, Adam revealed he was sick and was fatigued all the time.
Admitting he came off of his medication, Adam informed Ben and Cat that he’s now doing the carnivore diet as he noticed positive symptoms just before Christmas.
He added: “It’s been a long journey, but I’m starting to see light at the end of the tunnel now, which is good.”
This Morning continues weekdays on ITV from 10am.
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