The US singer-songwriter says his new disability has changed the way he lives and works.

Adam Thomas has admitted that he’s “struggling” and in “pain” after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis ahead of his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. The Waterloo Road star is one of the 15 celebrities preparing to put themselves to the test as they compete on the 21st series of dance competition series Strictly. Just days after it was announced that he had joined the cast, Thomas shared on his 35th birthday that he had recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. An autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. It usually affects the hands, feet and wrists and can cause flare-up periods where symptoms become worse for a period of time. On Sunday (3 September), the former Coronation Street star posted a shirtless selfie to Instagram following a swimming session. Writing in the caption, Thomas said that he was posting the image “to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable”. “Am not in the best shape of my life, but I could be worse,” he wrote. “This year has been tough there’s no doubt about that… but I’ve just got to stay focused now! I’m still struggling and the pain is still there but I’m putting on a brave face I’ve got to stay strong [sic]!” Thomas continued: “Swimming helps me so much with my arthritis, I mean as much as it kills me getting my top off and going for a swim, I know it’s helping me and I know it’s also helping me deal with the issues I’ve got with me and my body. Which is a good thing!” “Got a feeling am going to get a lot more out of the next few months than I bargained for [sic]! Let’s go!” Thomas announced that he had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last month, explaining that he had “been in a lot of pain since January”. “It started with my knees and then travelled to my wrists, fingers and now ankles and toes,” he wrote. “I never knew what was happening and finally after several blood tests and back and forth to doctors and hospitals, I’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid Arthritis!” The actor had originally said that he signed up for Strictly – which begins later this month – in order “to be able to move again, get fit and do it, all with a smile on my face”. Strictly Come Dancing returns in September on BBC One. Read More Kanye West and ‘wife’ Bianca Censori banned from Venice boat company after ‘obscenities’ on board Yellowstone season 5: Kevin Costner finally explains why he quit the show Fyre Fest 2.0? Chris Rock and Diplo escape Burning Man festival as 70,000 stranded in desert How to look after your joints, as women experience ‘significantly higher’ pain than men How can parents and children battle back-to-school anxiety? Khloe Kardashian officially changes son Tatum’s last name

Man Utd's Bruno Fernandes played more minutes than any other men's player over the past 12 months.

The Shawshank Redemption actor Tim Robbins had a brutally honest response to a conservative author who claimed on Twitter the two ‘hanged out.’ Nick Adams, an Australian-born American Trump supporter, has written numerous books, with his most recent titled The Most Dangerous President in History, written about Joe Biden. Other books of Adams include Trump and Churchill: Defenders of Western Civilisation and Retaking America: Crushing Political Correctness. Adams tweeted a picture of him and Robbins on Friday with the caption ‘hanging out with Tim Robbins at JFK.’ Robbins responded to the tweet by quoting it, adding : ‘not ‘hanging out.’ Dude asked for a picture. I obliged. He left.’ Robbins’ response gained so much attention that Twitter added a community note to Adams’ original tweet that read: ‘According to Tim Robbins, they were not hanging out. When asked to take a photo, Robbins obliged.’ Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Many Twitter users loved Robbins’ harsh honesty: Adams didn’t seem to be too happy about Robbins’ clarification, and the piling laughter at his expense. He went on to call Robbins a ‘woke Hollywood liberal.’ Adams Twitter profile proudly displays his belief that he’s an ‘Alpha Male’. As well as his pinned tweet reading: ‘Yes, I am more successful and attractive than you. No, I will not be apologizing for it.’ Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

'Rocket Man' legend Sir Elton John has seen a huge spike in Spotify streams since his epic Glastonbury headline set.

A new women’s pro hockey league will begin competing in North America as early as January

Jennifer Lawrence exuded movie star glamour alongside her co-stars as she graced the New York premiere held at Lincoln Square

During his first three seasons, Justin Herbert came up big when the Los Angeles Chargers needed a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter or overtime

Biden administration attorneys say a Louisiana-based federal judge’s order broadly limiting executive branch communications with social media companies could cause “grave harm” by preventing the government from “engaging in a vast range of lawful and responsible conduct.”

PlayStation 5 buyers can save when they shop at GameStop.

K-pop star Danielle, a member of the girl group NewJeans, first developed a taste for fashion when she was a child.

The Ohio State University Police Department is assisting Columbus police with the ongoing investigation