Adam Thomas has revealed he's in a much better place financially than when he left Emmerdale in 2018.
The brother of Corrie star, Ryan Thomas, 34, played Adam Barton in the ITV soap, but admitted he 'didn't know where his next pay cheque was coming' from when he quit the role.
The actor has two kids, son Teddy, eight, and daughter Elsie-Rose, four, whom he shares with wife Caroline.
Fortunately for the family, Adam has bagged a gig in the revamped school-based drama Waterloo Road after the father-of-two appeared in the show in 2009.
The actor, who plays Donte Charles in the programme, reckons the job couldn't have come at a better time as he opened up about his financial situation.
"Ever since I left Emmerdale, I’ve been going from job to job, not knowing necessarily where my next pay cheque is coming from. It’s tough and it’s a lot to take on," Adam admitted.
"I think this job has helped a lot because it’s just brought stability into our lives. It was a year’s contract and I knew what money I was getting. I felt like I could breathe. But now I’m like, 'What am I doing next?'
Revealing the challenges of the ever-changing industry, he concluded:"I find it quite tough to be present and try and enjoy as much as I can instead of thinking about what’s coming next," reports OK! magazine.
Adam retreated from the spotlight after leaving Emmerdale and instead rolled up his sleeves in his restaurant.
However, after just three years, Adam announced the shock closure of The Spinn in Gatley, but not before he received a call asking him to meet with Cameron Roach, the producer of Waterloo Road.
Recalling the conversation, Adam told us: "I was washing pots in my restaurant!"
The star went on to reveal that after chatting with the producer, he said he'd have to "speak to his agent" - even though he didn't have one - before accepting the role.
The actor will be reunited with his former co-star and on-screen wife in the show, Katie Griffiths who plays Chlo Charles, as well as Angela Griffin as Kim Campbell.
Discussing his return to the show, Adam said: "We picked up where we left off, it was crazy, we've not seen each other for so long."
The new series of Waterloo Road starts on January 3 on BBC One - and it's a real family affair for the former Emmerdale star.
Adam's son Teddy and 14-year-old niece Scarlett – the eldest daughter of his soap star brother Ryan – will play his on-screen children.
Scarlett recently rocked up on the red carpet for a special screening of Waterloo Road with her proud mum actress Tina O'Brien, who also starred in the show.
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