Adam Thomas sent Emmerdale fans wild after he shared a photograph from the ITV set.

The soap star featured on the show as lovable farmboy Adam Barton from 2009 to 2018 and soon became a fan-favourite.

His character left Emmerdale when he went on the run after confessing to the murder of his wife Emma Barton (Gillian Kearney), to protect his mother Moira (Natalie Robb) from prison.

The actor has appeared on other shows including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, where he finished third place behind Joel Dommett and Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt in 2016.

However, Adam posted a picture on social media on Friday and caused a frenzy among fans.

The star shared an image of him smiling next to an Emmerdale road sign on Instagram with the caption: ‘I’m BACK!!!!’

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Adam Thomas (pictured as Adam Barton) sent Emmerdale fans wild after he shared a photograph from the ITV set

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The soap star featured on the show as lovable farmboy Adam Barton from 2009 to 2018 and soon became a fan-favourite. He posted a photo on social media on Friday with the caption: ‘I’m BACK!!!!’ (pictured)

The post received thousands of likes and fans rushed to comment: ‘Omg this is amazing, just need Kelvin Fletcher and we are sorted x.’;

‘SCREAMING! This better be fr [for real].’;

‘The boy is back! Robert, Aaron and Adam. I can’t wait!!’;

‘I really hope this is true as you were my favorite Barton ever!!!!!!!’;

‘I hope this means your back for good.’;

‘Is this true? Please be true.’

When Adam’s departure was announced back in 2017, 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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The post received thousands of likes and fans rushed to comment: ‘Omg this is amazing, just need Kelvin Fletcher and we are sorted x.’

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His character left Emmerdale when he went on the run after confessing to the murder of his wife Emma Barton (Gillian Kearney), to protect his mother Moira (Natalie Robb) from prison

‘I’d like to thank everyone at Emmerdale for both giving me the opportunity to work as part of such a great team and for giving my character Adam Barton some great storylines too.’

Meanwhile series Producer Iain MacLeod said: ‘Everyone will be really gutted to see Adam go! He’s a top bloke and a really talented actor.

‘But he’s given us a lot of notice, so we’ve been able to prepare a huge exit story for him.

‘I’m really excited to see it play out on screen – however sad it will be to wave goodbye to such a brilliant character and cast member.’

Adam’s social media post comes after he issued an update on his struggle with arthritis, telling his followers ‘my life has completely changed’.

The former Emmerdale star was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis – a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in joints and is incurable – before his time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023.

Adam has kept his followers updated on his struggles since, heartbreakingly admitting in late 2024 that he was left ‘barely able to walk’ due to the severity of the pain.

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Adam Thomas issued an update on his struggle with arthritis, telling his followers ‘my life has completely changed’

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The former Emmerdale star was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis – a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in joints and is incurable – before his time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023

The actor had previously revealed that he had been in pain every single day for two years after also being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

But in a life-changing update earlier this month, the Waterloo Road star told his followers he is at last pain-free thanks to a miraculous biologic injection.

Looking in great spirits, Adam captioned a selfie of himself: ‘These last few weeks… my life completely changed!

‘As some of you know, I’ve been battling psoriatic arthritis for the past 3 years and it’s been tough, Constant pain, constant struggle. But today I can say something I honestly never thought I would… I’m pain free!!

‘Not a bit better, not improving but ZERO pain! None. For the first time in YEARS.

‘A few weeks ago I had my first biologic injection and it changed my life literally overnight. I know that for most people it can take weeks to work, but for me… it was instant. And I’m still in shock.

‘I mean I know that this is not a cure and I’m still doing all I can to support my body naturally through food, movement, and rest. But this has given me something I haven’t felt in a long time!

‘Now it’s time to rebuild, mentally, physically, emotionally. This next chapter is all about prioritising my wellbeing, becoming the happiest, healthiest version of me… and finally enjoying life again.

‘Let’s goo!!!’

Biologic injections are types of medication that use proteins to target specific parts of the immune systems suffering with inflammation.