Adam Thomas was overcome with emotion following the judges’ remarks on his second Strictly Come Dancing performance.
This week, the Emmerdale star, 35, is paired with Luba Mushtuk, 33, and made his dancefloor debut last week with a vibrant cha cha to Waffle House by the Jonas Brothers.
Adam and Luba received a 19 for their first performance, and while their score increased to 23 this time, the criticism was mixed.
The actor and his Russian pro gave it their all in an explosive dance to The Killers’ Somebody Told Me.
Unfortunately, Adam felt compelled to apologise to Luba for ‘letting her down’.
‘This is a different Adam to last week, last week I did understand the smile to get over the nerves, this week you were more engaged, you wanted to take control over everything, and there was a power in your movement,’ judge Motsi Mabuse began in her comments.
‘I do feel the character of the dance could’ve been stronger in your technique,’ she added.
Head judge Shirley then chimed in: ‘I actually thought the character was the best part.
‘It was all a little bit soft, we could move a little bit more moving forward on your footwork.’
Anton Du Beke then noted that there were ‘some mistakes’ as Adam and Luba were ‘out of sync with each other.’
‘You could make a really lovely ballroom dancer, your posture is really good,’ he praised.
‘Your arm is too wide, if you could get your left arm in and angle through the left arm, it would smarten the whole shape up.’
Ending on a positive, though, he assured Adam: ‘Your movement was good, well done, you.’
Resident Mr Nasty Craig Revel Horwood said: ‘There were definitely sync issues and it needs to be danced more on one level, but it had power, it had intent, and it had drama.’
Adam kept his cheery expression despite the criticism, as host Claudia Winkleman was on hand to comfort him.
Asked how he was doing, Adam sarcastically replied: ‘Yeah, I’m great. I’m on top of the world.’
When Claudia hailed him the ‘smiliest’ contestant, he joked: ‘I’m not smiling now, I’ll be honest with you.’
‘I tried my hardest and I just feel like I let you down,’ he said to his pro.
‘No, you didn’t!’, Luba disagreed instantly.
‘I’m sorry,’ Adam apologised.
Claudia, who was always there to pick up the pieces, had some kind words for him.
‘It’s week two, they said the choreography was brilliant, they loved the performance, I don’t want you to be hard on yourself.’
Luba also told her celeb partner: ‘I loved dancing it with you, I’m so, so proud, it was amazing.’
‘I tried my best tonight, hopefully, that will be enough,’ noted a deflated Adam.
Taking to Twitter following his performance, Strictly viewers were keen to build Adam back up.
‘ADAM DID WELL HE NEEDS TO STOP BEATING HIMSELF UP’, exclaimed one viewer.
Another wrote: ‘Adam is very hard on himself. It’s always those people who get to the final! He needs to ease the pressure on himself a little though. I enjoyed it!’
Adam, who has a serious health problem, has found Strictly difficult thus far.
Prior to the programme, the father of two was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can impair mobility and interfere with his training.
To treat his ailment, Adam has been taking ‘very powerful medicine’, saying it’s been ‘difficult’ but he’s ‘on the path to recovery’.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Sunday on BBC One and iPlayer.
