Celebrity Strictly Come Dancing contestant Adam Thomas was seen sporting an uncomfortable-looking wrist support as he showed up to rehearsals for the Saturday's first live show.
The 35-year-old Waterloo Road actor opened up recently about his struggle with Rheumatoid Arthritis, revealing the pain has sometimes left him unable to get out of bed.
Arriving at a dance rehearsal studio in Manchester on Wednesday, 20 September, to meet his pro partner Luba Mushtuk, the former Emmerdale star appeared to be struggling with his wrist support.
Speaking about his recent diagnosis, Ryan said it came as a complete shock to him and his wife of six years, Caroline.
“I just never saw this coming and I didn’t know what was happening to me. I was like, ‘Can someone just give me an answer as to what is going on'," he told The Mirror.
Ryan received his devastating diagnosis just a few weeks before his birthday last month, and has been keeping his fans up to date with his progress as he learns to cope with it.
"This year has been tough there’s no doubt about that… but I’ve just got to stay focused now," he said on social media recently. "I’m still struggling and the pain is still there but I’m putting on a brave face I’ve got to stay strong!!"
Prior to getting his dancing shoes on the actor, who is dad to son Teddy and daughter, Elsie-Rose, said he'd found swimming helped alleviate some of the pain, but admitted he wasn't quite as fit and healthy as he wanted to be.
"I have thought about eating healthier and going to the gym. I have definitely thought about it, but I have not gotten that far just yet," he said after being announced in the 2023 Strictly line-up.
"But it is going to happen, it’s taking its time but it's definitely going to happen.
"That is another reason I wanted to do this show is because I just want to get fit again, get moving and get dancing! Everyone who has done the show just says that you get really toned up, really fit and healthy."
Viewers have high hopes for Adam – with many wondering if he can emulate the success of another Emmerdale alumni, 2019 contestant Kelvin Fletcher.
Kelvin, 39, lifted the Glitterball trophy after wowing the judges with his moves on the dancefloor with pro partner Oti Mabuse.
For fellow soap star Adam, that was a stand-out moment.
"That was definitely a stand-out moment for me. Just watching him go on the Strictly journey and watching him smash it from the get go," he said recently. "
From the very first dance to watching him get to the final. He is probably one of the reasons as to why I am doing this show because I have spoken to him and he said it was an absolute joy and he said I would be ok.
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