STRICTLY star Adam Thomas has revealed he was forced into a terrifying hospital dash with his son while on holiday.
The Emmerdale actor, 35, said the horror incident "unlocked a new fear" in him, as he dubbed his youngster a "brave lil old soul".
Adam took to his Instagram page to post a picture of Teddy, nine, flashing a smile as he sported a series of stitches under his right eyebrow after suffering "a deep gash".
He also uploaded a snap of the youngster just moments after the incident, prior to medical treatment, where he again managed to muster a grin despite the gaping wound.
Teddy was wrapped in blankets as he prepared to be seen by medics, with later snaps showing him getting back to normal posing with his mum and cousins.
The 2023 dance show star wrote: "I didn’t think I could love this little boy anymore, but I was wrong!
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"I see him in a completely different light now, a new-found respect and admiration for this brave lil old soul.
"He had a fall whilst we were away and ended up cutting just under his eye… it was quite a deep gash and so had to have stitches but he handled the whole experience like a champ!
"Throughout all of it he just kept checking on me, Caz and Elsie asking if we’re okay and for us not to worry!
"Luckily it was only a few stitches and I know things can always be worse and they are for so many people, so just got to count our lucky blessings.
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"But seeing your child have to go through that last night really was a big wake up call for me… a new fear unlocked x"
One fan was quick to gush: "Awwwww bless him! Speedy recovery darling."
A second put: "He's blessed having you as his parents. He's a credit to you."
ROLE REVERSE
Back in April, Adam told how the roles were reversed and Teddy was caring for him amid his arthritis battle.
He shares Teddy and daughter Elsie, six, with wife Caroline.
In 2023, Adam told how he'd been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and just weeks ago, he was left in tears with the painful condition.
He uploaded a video of his eldest child putting a compress on his ankle as he lay on the sofa and wrote: "Today I had such a bad flare up with my arthritis.
"I was in so much pain, still am... but just to add to the pain I kicked a chair in a scene today at work and I can't tell you how much it hurt.
"Tried to play it cool, but wow.
"Good little Ted for looking after me."
The Waterloo Road star also opened up about the condition after previously ending up in hospital and said: "I don't want to suffer in silence anymore."
STRICTLY CURSE
Adam previously told how he had attempted to overcome his health battle for the BBC One dance show.
He was partnered with Russian pro Luba Mushtuk, 33.
They left the competition in week seven after performing a rumba in the dance-off.
During the series, he had to pull out of Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two due to illness.
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At the time, he said: “I’m surprised I’ve lasted this long without getting ill.
“I had to miss work and a bit of training.”