I'm A Celebrity South Africa's Adam Thomas: Debilitating health condition; twin brother; and his beloved dad's tragic death
His second jungle stint is underway!Adam Thomas is one of 12 famous faces taking part in I’m A Celebrity South Africa as the series continues – but who is he?
Soap star Adam will be roughing it up in the South African jungle for the next three weeks on the new ITV series, alongside stars including Harry Redknapp, Scarlett Moffatt and Gemma Collins.
But who is Adam Thomas, and when did he originally appear on I’m A Celebrity?
From his devastating health condition to the heartbreaking moment he tried to save his late dad’s life, here’s everything you need to know.
Who is I’m A Celebrity star Adam Thomas? How old is he? What is his ethnicity?
Adam Thomas is an actor and presenter. Born Salford, Manchester on August 11, 1988, he is currently 37 years old. Adam’s paternal grandfather, Nolan Thomas, emigrated from India. His paternal great-grandmother was West Indian.
His career began in 2002 on BBC soap Doctors but it was 2006 when he really shot to fame, after playing Donte Charles in school-based drama Waterloo Road. He left the show in 2009 to join Emmerdale as Adam Barton.
Why did Adam Thomas leave Emmerdale?
Having stayed at the long-running ITV soap for eight years, Adam made the “tough” decision to leave in 2018. At the time, he said: “I’ve had an amazing eight years working on Emmerdale and I’ve loved every minute of it.
“It was a really tough decision to take to leave, but I felt that now is the time to move on and challenge myself with some new roles.”
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Adam went on to star in I’m A Celebrity and also the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing. He was partnered with pro Luba Mushtuk and was eliminated from the show in week 7.
He hosts a podcast too with his brothers – Mancs on the Mic, and returned to Waterloo Road at the start of 2023 reprising his role as Donte. Last year, along with brother Ryan, Adam fronted the ITV game show 99 to Beat.
Are Adam Thomas and Ryan Thomas twins?
Adam Thomas is not the only famous member of his family. His brother is Ryan Thomas, best known for playing Jason Grimshaw on Coronation Street.
And despite fans thinking they are twins, Ryan is actually older than Adam and is aged 41.
However, Adam does actually have a twin – Scott who appeared on Love Island in 2016. Scott was coupled up with Kady McDermott for the majority of the series, but they split a few months after leaving.
Which Thomas brother is the richest?
Adam’s net worth is estimated to be around £1.6m. Scott, meanwhile, has an estimated fortune of £750k. Ryan is the richest of the brothers with an estimated net worth of around £2.5m.
Adam Thomas’ dad’s death
Adam’s dad, Dougie Thomas, died at age 72 in November 2020. He was the lead singer of the 1970s band Dougie James and the Soul Train, who previously toured with The Jackson Five.
While making an appearance on the Manc On The Mics podcast, Adam got emotional when talking about his father’s death.
“I remember getting out of the car and running upstairs in Scott’s house, and just seeing him there laying on the sofa,” he said.
“I just thought I’ve got to try and help him so I’m taking him off the couch and I’m trying to resuscitate him, I don’t know whether I’m doing it right or whether I’m doing it wrong.”
Adam added: “I remember just thinking, wow, this is just not how I expected it to go. I’m crying my eyes out going: ‘Come on, Dad.’ I’m jumping up and down on my dad, trying to save him.”
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Can I’m A Celebrity star Adam sing?
Back in 2022, Adam shocked fans when he showed off his unexpected vocals in an Instagram video.
He said in the video: “I have been singing this song all morning.” Adam then belted out the track, Half a Man by Dean Lewis.
And it’s fair to say fans and fellow showbiz pals were left gobsmacked by Adam’s vocals. Lisa Snowdon said: “Go on Adam! The boy can SING!”
Strictly star Fleur East gushed: “Wooooo!!!! Yes Adam! That voice! Always said you were a secret singer.” Meanwhile jungle star Scarlett Moffatt wrote: “Wow Adam your voice is beautiful.”
Is Adam Thomas’ niece in Waterloo Road?
It’s most certainly a family affair on BBC’s Waterloo Road. As well as Adam Thomas playing Donte, his niece Scarlett is in the cast too. She plays his on-screen daughter Izzy.
17-year-old Scarlett is the daughter of Adam’s brother Ryan and his ex Tina O’Brien. But that’s not all, as Adam’s real-life son, Teddy Thomas, plays his on-screen son, Tommy.
Has Adam Thomas got a wife?
Adam is married to trained dancer and dance school owner Caroline Daly. The pair met when Adam was just 19 and working on Waterloo Road.
They share two children, Teddy, born in 2014, and Elsie-Rose, born in 2018.
Going from strength to strength, Adam popped the question in 2015 in Dubai. Two years later, they got married at a soap-star-studded ceremony at Delamere in the Cheshire countryside.
When was Adam Thomas on I’m A Celebrity?
Adam appeared on the 2016 series of I’m A Celebrity, alongside the likes of Larry Lamb, Carol Vorderman and winner Scarlett Moffatt – who is also returning for the South Africa show. On the 2016 series, Adam finished third, with Joel Dommett coming in second place.
Talking about taking part in I’m A Celebrity South Africa, Adam said: “Life is for living and I’m really looking forward to experiencing the show all over again. I am really excited and I can’t wait to get to the camp to meet all the other celebrities.”
What medical condition does Adam Thomas have?
TV star Adam revealed in 2023 he has been suffering with a chronic condition. After experiencing pain in his knees, wrists, fingers and then ankles and toes, he was finally tested.
Initially, doctors told him he had rheumatoid arthritis, but he has actually been living with psoriatic arthritis. They’re both inflammatory joint diseases, but they’re very different from each other.
Discussing his struggles in 2024, he said in an Instagram video: “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???”
He also added: “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 [bleep]load 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!”
Here’s hoping he survives the rigours of the I’m A Celebrity jungle!
‘Adam totally lost it’
Expect fireworks between Adam and Jimmy Bullard this season. It’s been reported that the pair are no longer speaking after an explosive behind-the-scenes row. The row allegedly erupted during a Bushtucker Trial, with Adam “screaming” at Jimmy, leaving fellow campmates stunned.
A source told The Sun: “Adam totally lost it. It was completely unexpected and deeply shocked the other campmates – including Jimmy, who didn’t see it coming. Adam is intensely competitive and was taking his jungle return very seriously. He was frustrated by what happened in the Bushtucker Trial and lost his temper.”
What can we expect from Adam Thomas on I’m A Celebrity South Africa?
So far, camp life hasn’t been great for poor old Adam. He ended up in Savannah Scrub, the basic camp, after losing the opening challenge.
First, he picked the wrong glass of OJ to drink from, meaning Ashley Roberts had first pick of the campmates when it came to picking teams. Adam was then tied to his teammate Beverley Callard. They took on the Tipped Over The Edge challenge.
Although Bev done brilliantly, Adam took more than 10 minutes to complete a simple puzzle. As a result, Ashley decided to send him to Savannah Scrub. They’ll have basic rice and beans rations, uncomfortable beds and sleep in a camp open to the elements.
He was soon joined by Bev and Seann Walsh. And, when they arrived, they realised that entirely “useless” Adam hadn’t even managed to light the campfire! Not only that, but none of the three Savannah Scrub campmates know how to cook. Tonight, new arrival Gemma Collins continues her head-to-head eating challenge to win food for Savannah Scrub.
But will she manage it, or will her new camp pals continue to go hungry?
Read more: Adam Thomas snubbed by ITV after ‘explosive’ unaired row with I’m A Celebrity co-star
