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Adam Thomas recalls desperate attempt to resuscitate his late father

Adam Thomas.
Adam Thomas has talked about trying to resuscitate his father who died in 2020. (Getty Images)

Adam Thomas has recalled "jumping up and down on my dad" in a desperate attempt to save his father's life.

The former Emmerdale star - brother of ex Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas and Love Island 2016 contestant Scott Thomas - lost his father, 70s soul singer Dougie James, when he died unexpectedly in December 2020, aged 72.

Adam, 33, has now revealed on his family podcast Mancs On The Mic: "I remember getting out of the car and running upstairs in Scott's house, and just seeing him there laying on the sofa.

"I just thought 'I've got to try and help him.' So I'm taking him off the couch and I'm trying to resuscitate him, I don't know whether I'm doing it right or whether I'm doing it wrong.

Read more: 'Waterloo Road' announces Adam Thomas' niece will join him for comeback cast

Adam Thomas and Ryan Thomas at the Royal Enfield Continental GT stand during the 'Top to Tip' 50th anniversary on May 11, 2014 in Silverstone, Northampton.  (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Royal Enfield)
Adam Thomas and his brother Ryan have a podcast with their brother Scott. (Getty Images)

"I remember just thinking, 'Wow, this is just not how I expected it to go.'

"I'm crying my eyes out going, 'Come on, dad.' I'm jumping up and down on my dad, trying to save him.

"It's just so hard, because you don't really talk about it that much and that's the one thing that I regret, that that's the last memory of my dad."

Adam continued: "I'm jumping up and down on my dad, trying to save his life, and his phone starts to ring, someone's calling him.

Adam Thomas with Angela Griffin and Katie Griffiths on the set of Waterloo Road. (BBC)
Adam Thomas with Angela Griffin and Katie Griffiths on the set of Waterloo Road. (BBC)

"And it's my dad singing Kung Foo Fighting, and I'm just like, 'What is going on?'

"I'm thinking, 'My dad's in the room right now just watching me trying to save his life, laughing is a**e off.'"

James was the lead singer of Dougie James And The Soul Train, who once toured with The Jackson Five.

Adam paid tribute to his father following his death in 2020.

Read more: Ryan Thomas walks from London to Manchester for Mental Health Awareness Week

Sharing an image of them together on Instagram he wrote: "My sunshine on a cloudy day. Thank you to all my friends family and all of you guys for all the lovely messages over the past week or so I needed it so thank you.

"My dad ladies and gentlemen. Mr Dougie James. RIP."

Adam made his name playing Adam Barton in ITV soap Emmerdale and is due to return later this year as Dante Charles in BBC school drama Waterloo Road.

Watch: Adam Thomas left Emmerdale in 2018