Adam Thomas, who played Adam Barton in Emmerdale, has been candid about his health struggles
Monde Mwitumwa TV and Celebrity Reporter
17:43, 28 Jan 2026
The actor has kept fans updated on his health journey(Image: Adam Thomas on Instagram)
Former Emmerdale star Adam Thomas has offered a candid health update as he battles the crippling effects of arthritis. The 37-year-old is grappling with “severe pain” and has admitted to a recent “big wake-up call”.
Adam received a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis in 2023, just ahead of his Strictly Come Dancing stint. The actor has now shared a devastating update on his well-being.
The star, who became a household name after joining the ITV soap in 2009, has confessed to becoming “complacent” with his medication over the festive season, leading to a return of intense discomfort, reports OK!.
In a post accompanied by an image of himself administering arthritis medication via injection into his leg, and a video shared on his Stories expressing concerns about developing immunity to the treatment, Adam wrote: “Stop thinking you’re invincible, because you’re not. Over the past few days, I’ve felt it creeping back in, the pain in my wrists, my fingers, then the psoriasis came back too!”.
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He continued: “Over Christmas, I got complacent, I missed my injections, I thought it will be fine! But how wrong was I. A few days ago I had a big wake up call literally!
“I woke up in the middle of the night with severe pain in my wrists, in that moment, I went straight back to that scared little boy I used to be, living with pain and fear.
“Don’t get me wrong, the pain has eased a bit since, maybe I slept on it funny, I’m not sure, but I know I’m not pain-free anymore! Somethings changed… The meds I’m on, your body can get used to them, miss them, and they can stop working altogether, that thought scares the s**t out of me!
He has been battling the autoimmune condition for years(Image: BBC)
“I’m hoping it’s just because I missed them and need to get back on track. Truth is… I got comfortable, I got lazy, I thought I’d beaten it, but I was wrong… it’s still there.
“I can feel it, waiting…. Truth is I don’t think you beat it, you just learn to live with it, Control it! This is a reminder to myself, and to anyone else who needs to hear it, don’t get comfortable, don’t get lazy, don’t think you’re invincible.
“I need to start taking care of my body again! Yes am enjoying training at the moment, but maybe I just need to not over do it so much, and focus on listening to my body again. Stay consistent Adam x and look after your self x.”
Following his post, Adam uploaded multiple videos to his Instagram Stories after being inundated with messages from supporters facing similar arthritis battles.
Adam Thomas has given an update on his crippling battle with arthritis(Image: Instagram/ @adamthomas21)
Previously, Adam appeared on Good Morning Britain, where he spoke openly about his debilitating health condition. During the interview on the GMB sofa, Susanna observed: “We’re laughing about the fact that you would be a P.E. teacher, but it actually impedes your movement, doesn’t it?”
Adam responded: “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 over-exaggerating 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 doctors’ and hospitals.”
Emmerdale continues on weeknights at 8pm on ITV and ITV X.
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