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Joe Swash
Joe Swash
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Joseph Adam Swash (born 1981 or 1982)[1] is a British actor and television presenter from London, best known for his role of Mickey Miller in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders and various presenting roles with ITV2. He won the eighth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2008 and the twelfth series of Dancing on Ice in 2020.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Career

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Early work

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When Swash was seven, he made his first television appearance in an Andrex advertisement. In 1991, when he was nine years old he played the role of a little boy pretending to be an orphan in You Rang, M'Lord? then when he was eleven he was cast in the film The Adventures of Pinocchio, as The Fighting boy with Dawn French and Griff Rhys Jones, and co-starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Richard Claxton and Correy Carrier. His character, known as The Fighting Boy because he scuffled with Lampwick over a gun, was turned into a donkey after going on a Roller Coaster. He made minor appearances in several television series such as Casualty, The South Bank Show, The Bill, Soldier Soldier and Nickelodeon's LOL: Laugh Out Loud. In 2002, Joe Swash appeared as a participant in the ITV documentary Club Reps.[3]

EastEnders

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Swash was about to give up on the idea of becoming an actor when he gained a role in BBC One soap opera EastEnders. He was cast as Mickey Miller and made his first appearance in EastEnders in April 2003 as a recurring character. Owing to a positive viewer reception, producer Louise Berridge turned Mickey into a regular character, and his on-screen family arrived a year later, including Mickey's little sister Demi, played by Swash's real sister, Shana. His son, Harry Swash, also appeared in the soap as his niece Summer Swann for a minimal period. On 26 February 2008, it was announced that Joe Swash, along with the actor who plays his stepfather, David Spinx, were being written out of EastEnders in a "big explosive storyline". He made his final appearance in July 2008. Since the announcement of his departure, Swash has been critical of the direction producers took with his character. He has blamed his three-month screen absence in 2005 on Mickey becoming little more than "light-relief".[4]

However, he has expressed an interest in returning.[5] He later reprised his role of Mickey Miller for two episodes on 19 and 20 September 2011, in order to coincide with his on screen brother's departure from the soap. He reprised the role for two episodes on 9 and 10 December 2024.

I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

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In November 2008, Swash entered the Australian jungle to appear in the eighth series of the British reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, which he went on to win.[6]

From 2009 onwards, Swash has been part of the presenting team on the spin-off series I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here, NOW!. He co-presented the show with Caroline Flack (2009–2010), Russell Kane (2009–2011), Laura Whitmore (2011–2015), Rob Beckett (2012–2014) and David Morgan (2015).

In 2016, the show was renamed I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp. Swash has co-presented this show with Vicky Pattison (2016), Stacey Solomon (2016), Chris Ramsey (2016), Joel Dommett (2017–2018) and Scarlett Moffatt (2017–2018). On 20 July 2019, it was confirmed that Swash had left the show and would not return for the series that year.[7]

Dancing on Ice

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In January 2020, Swash appeared as a contestant on the twelfth series of Dancing on Ice. Swash was partnered with Alexandra Schauman from week 1 until she sustained an injury in week 3. He was re-partnered with Alex Murphy in week 4. Swash and Murphy went on to win the series, beating Perri Kiely and his partner Vanessa Bauer.[8]

Other television appearances

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In 2009, Swash, along with ex-rugby player Austin Healey, appeared in the second series of Hole in the Wall, as a team captain.

In 2010, he was a team captain on What Do Kids Know? with Rufus Hound and Sara Cox on Watch.

In 2011, Swash presented the children's show Gimme A Break on the CBBC Channel. In 2011, Swash and Caroline Flack worked on ITV2 game show Minute to Win It as team captains. In November 2011 Driving Academy aired on the CBBC Channel, with Swash as presenter/narrator. In 2014, a brand new series was aired with celebrities taking part called Celebrity Driving Academy.

In 2013 and 2014, Swash was a regular team captain on ITV2 panel show Fake Reaction. In 2016, he joined the line-up on The Jump as a contestant.

In 2021, Swash appeared on the cooking show Celebrity Masterchef, when he made the final 3.

In 2023, he appeared in I'm a Celebrity... South Africa.[9]

Theatre

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Swash subsequently performed as Buttons in the pantomime Cinderella, at the Central Theatre in Chatham, Medway.

In 2009 and 2010, he appeared in the pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Bristol.

Other work

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In February 2009, Swash and TV presenter Tim Vincent broke a Guinness World Record for throwing the most pancakes to a partner as part of a challenge on Channel 4's The Paul O'Grady Show.

Personal life

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Swash was forced to take a three-month break from EastEnders in 2005 after he contracted meningoencephalitis.[10]

On 16 June 2007, Swash's fiancée, Emma Sophocleous, gave birth to their first child, a boy.[11] On 19 January 2008, it was announced the couple had separated.[12] On 3 November 2009, Swash was declared bankrupt by London's High Court after failing to pay a £20,000 tax bill. Swash's agent Becca Barr said it was a mix-up and the actor was not in financial difficulty.[13]

Swash was in a relationship with his EastEnders co-star Kara Tointon from 2008 to 2010.[14]

Swash started dating Stacey Solomon in January 2016, after meeting on I'm a Celebrity several years previously. In 2019, the two announced that they were expecting their first child together, joining their family of Swash's son and Solomon's two sons. In May 2019, Solomon gave birth to their first child together, a boy.[15]

Swash and Solomon got engaged on 24 December 2020, after being together for five years.[16] In July 2021 the pair announced they were expecting a baby girl.[17] On 5 October 2021 Stacey announced on Instagram that the baby had been born.[18] On 24 July 2022 they were married in a small ceremony held at their home, Pickle Cottage, in Essex.[19]

On 28 December 2022, Solomon announced she was eight months pregnant with her fifth child and third with Swash.[20] The couple announced the birth of their second daughter on 11 February 2023.[21]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 The Adventures of Pinocchio Fighting Boy
2002 Shooters Boy #1 Credited as Joseph Swash
2018 The Best of EastEnders Mickey Miller Uncredited
Direct-to-video

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1991 You Rang M'Lord Child BBC Season 3 episode 2
1995 Soldier Soldier Sam Garvey ITV Season 4 episode 8 Baby Love and episode 10 Going Back
1996, 2001 London's Burning To be added
2000 Time Gentlemen Please Young hoodlum in bar Credited as Joseph Swash
2003–2008, 2011, 2024 EastEnders Mickey Miller Regular role; 368 episodes
2006, 2008 The Weakest Link Himself
2008 I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Winner
All Star Family Fortunes
2008–2011 Gimmie a Break Co-presenter
2009 Hole in the Wall Team captain
The Sunday Night Project
Total Wipeout
2009–2012, 2014 Celebrity Juice Panelist
2009–2018 I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp Co-presenter
2010 What Do Kids Know? Team captain
The Cube: Celebrity Special Contestant
2011 Minute to Win It Team captain
Let's Dance for Comic Relief Participant
2011–2014 Driving Academy Presenter / narrator
2012 The Magicians
Mad Mad World
2013 Take Me Out: Christmas Special Contestant
2013–2014 Fake Reaction
2014 Through the Keyhole
Celebrity Dinner Date
Keep It in the Family
2014, 2020 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars
2015, 2016 The Dog Ate My Homework Panelist
2015 Reality Bites Guest panelist
Big Star's Little Star
Celebrity Benchmark Benchmarker
The Chase: Celebrity Special Contestant
2016 The Jump
2016, 2022 Pointless Celebrities
2017 The Crystal Maze
2020 Dancing on Ice Winner
Would I Lie to You?
2020–2021 Thomas & Friends Sonny (voice)
2023 I'm a Celebrity... South Africa Himself
Joe Swash: Teens In Care
EastEnders: The Six Presenter; 2 episodes
The Festive Pottery Throw Down Contestant
2025 Batch from Scratch: Cooking for Less Co-presenter With Suzanne Mulholland
Meal Deals: Behind the Bargain Presenter Two-part documentary[22]
TBA Joe Swash: Britain’s Young Dads (w/t) Upcoming documentary[23]

Books

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  • Joe's Kitchen. Glasgow: Pavilion Books. 13 October 2022. ISBN 978-0008560720.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Joseph Adam Swash (born 20 January 1982) is an English actor and television presenter best known for portraying the character Mickey Miller in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders from 2003 to 2008. Born in Islington, London, Swash began his acting career as a child, making his television debut at age seven in an Andrex toilet paper advertisement, followed by guest appearances in medical drama Casualty and police procedural The Bill. His breakthrough came with EastEnders, where he played the mischievous lodger Mickey Miller, a role he reprised briefly in December 2024 for the show's 40th anniversary episodes. Following his departure from EastEnders, Swash transitioned into reality television, achieving widespread popularity by winning the eighth series of ITV's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2008, defeating tennis legend Martina Navratilova in the final. He has since competed in other high-profile shows, including Dancing on Ice (2019 and 2020), Celebrity MasterChef (2016), and The Jump (2014), showcasing his versatility as an entertainer. In addition to acting and competing, Swash has built a presenting career, co-hosting the family-oriented reality series Stacey & Joe on BBC One since 2025, which documents his home life with his wife and children at their Essex residence, Pickle Cottage. In 2025, he hosted the BBC Three special EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In and presented the Channel 4 documentary Britain's Young Dads. He also ventured into publishing with the release of his debut cookbook, Joe's Kitchen: Homemade Meals for a Happy Family, in 2022. Swash's personal life has been prominently featured in the media, particularly his long-term relationship with singer and television personality , whom he met in 2010 on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. The couple, who began dating in 2016 after years of friendship, got engaged in 2020 and married in an intimate ceremony at Upton House, , on 24 July 2022. Together, they have three children: son Rex (born 2019), daughter Rose (born 2021), and daughter Belle (born 2023). Swash is also father to son Harry (born 2007) from his previous relationship with dancer Emma Sophocleous and serves as stepfather to Solomon's two sons from prior relationships, Zachary (born 2008) and Leighton (born 2012). The family of seven, along with pets including two dogs and four ducks, often shares glimpses of their blended household dynamics through their television work and .

Early life

Childhood

Joseph Adam Swash was born on 20 January 1982 in , , to parents Kiffy Swash and Ricky Swash. His father, Ricky, passed away suddenly from when Joe was 11 years old, an event that profoundly shaped his early family life. Following this loss, Swash's mother Kiffy raised him as a , later becoming a foster carer for over a decade, which integrated foster sibling Daniel into the household. Swash grew up alongside his sisters, including Shana Swash (born 28 July 1990), with whom he shared a close sibling bond; Shana later pursued acting, appearing on as his on-screen sister Demi Miller. The family resided in , where Swash attended a local before progressing to Highbury Grove School, experiencing a typical urban childhood marked by the challenges of his father's early death and his mother's resilience in providing stability. Swash's initial interest in performing arts emerged early, leading to his first professional acting opportunity at age seven in a 1989 Andrex advertisement, where he featured alongside the brand's iconic puppy. This early exposure, inspired by family encouragement and local opportunities in London's creative scene, sparked his passion for acting before any formal training.

Education

Swash attended Highbury Grove School, a comprehensive in , , from the ages of 11 to 16. During this period, he encountered significant academic challenges stemming from undiagnosed and ADHD, which contributed to perceptions of him as disruptive and inattentive in class. These difficulties, later formally recognized in adulthood, affected his reading and writing abilities, making schoolwork particularly arduous. At , Swash enrolled in the School, a renowned weekend drama group in , where he received intensive acting training that honed his performance skills. The program, recommended by a family friend's connection to actress , provided a structured outlet for his creative interests outside formal schooling. Swash completed his examinations at age 16 upon leaving Highbury Grove School. He pursued no further formal higher education, opting instead to focus on developing his career through ongoing training and early opportunities.

Career

Early acting roles

Swash first appeared at age seven in an Andrex toilet paper advertisement. His first scripted came at age nine in 1991, appearing as a boy pretending to be a poor in an episode of the sitcom You Rang, M'Lord?. This early marked the beginning of his sporadic foray into during his childhood. Throughout the 1990s, Swash secured several minor parts in British television series and film. In 1994, he played Sam Garvey in two episodes of the ITV drama Soldier Soldier. Two years later, in 1996, he appeared in the family fantasy film as a fighting boy, a small role in the production starring . His television work continued with a guest appearance as a pimp in the 1998 ITV miniseries , followed by the role of Jed in the 1999 BBC children's drama Hope & Glory. These credits, often uncredited or brief, reflected his emerging presence in youth-oriented and ensemble programming. Entering the early 2000s, Swash's resume included additional guest spots that highlighted his versatility in supporting roles. In 1999, he portrayed Adam Summers in the episode "Rock Bottom" of the long-running The Bill. The following year, 2000, saw him as Denny Ingram in the Casualty episode "" and as a young hoodlum (credited as Gary's Friend #1) in an episode of the comedy series . He also featured as Boy #1 in the 2002 low-budget crime film Shooters. While attending Highbury Grove School and training at the School, Swash navigated these infrequent opportunities alongside his education. By around age 20, Swash was actively pursuing more significant acting parts amid a period of limited success, having nearly decided to abandon his acting aspirations altogether due to the challenges of inconsistent work.

EastEnders

Joe Swash was cast as in the in 2003 at the age of 21, portraying a market trader who was depicted as a family-oriented young man joining the newly introduced Miller family in the fictional borough of . The role marked a significant breakthrough for Swash, with producers selecting him for his ability to embody a relatable, working-class character amid the show's focus on community dynamics. During his initial tenure from 2003 to 2008, featured in several key storylines centered on family conflicts and personal relationships within the Miller household. Notable arcs included his romantic involvement with characters like Rosie, which explored themes of young love and heartbreak, and tensions with his brother over family loyalties and financial struggles, such as the impact of Keith's gambling addiction on the siblings. Interactions with sister-in-law highlighted intergenerational family drama, including support during her health crises and conflicts arising from the Millers' relocation to the Square. These narratives emphasized Mickey's growth from a naive newcomer to a more resilient figure navigating loyalty and betrayal, appearing in over 300 episodes that solidified his presence in the series. Swash departed in 2008, with leaving to pursue opportunities abroad, a decision Swash attributed to his desire for new acting challenges beyond the soap format. He briefly returned in 2011 for a short storyline involving a family reunion, where reappeared to support during a period of upheaval, reuniting with relatives like his father Mike and addressing unresolved family ties. This guest stint lasted a few episodes and underscored the enduring appeal of the Miller family dynamics. In 2024, Swash reprised the role of for a two-episode guest arc airing on December 9 and 10, marking his first appearance in over a decade and tying into ongoing narratives involving the Miller family's legacy. The storyline focused on Mickey's brief return to amid contemporary family developments, providing closure and nostalgia for long-term viewers. Swash's portrayal of significantly boosted his career visibility, establishing him as a recognizable face in British television and cultivating a dedicated fanbase that appreciated the character's grounded, relatable qualities. The role's longevity and emotional depth helped transition Swash from child acting to adult stardom, with fans often citing it as pivotal to his public persona.

Reality television

Swash first gained significant attention in through his participation in the eighth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2008, where he emerged as the winner, earning the title "King of the Jungle" after defeating runner-up . The finale drew a peak audience of 9.7 million viewers, marking one of the highest ratings for the ITV series at the time. His victory showcased a more vulnerable and humorous side of Swash, endearing him to audiences beyond his persona. In 2014, Swash participated in the inaugural series of ITV's The Jump, a skiing competition, but withdrew early after sustaining an ankle injury. In 2023, Swash returned for the all-stars edition of I'm a ...Get Me Out of Here! , a special series featuring past contestants, where he reflected on the transformative impact of his original win. During the show, he competed in challenges but was eliminated after losing the "Temple of Doom" trial to fellow contestant . This appearance reinforced his status as a reality TV staple while allowing him to revisit the experience that he later credited with reshaping his professional life. Swash achieved another major reality TV milestone by winning the twelfth series of in 2020, partnering with professional skater Alex Murphy after an initial injury swap from Alexandra Schauman. The duo triumphed in the final against Diversity member , with the episode attracting 4.6 million viewers. His journey involved overcoming skating challenges over several weeks, highlighting his perseverance and athleticism in a format that further diversified his public image. Swash also competed as a finalist in the 2021 series of Celebrity MasterChef, reaching the final alongside and before Cox was crowned winner. His participation in the cooking competition demonstrated his willingness to engage in varied reality formats, though it drew mixed viewer reactions regarding his culinary skills. These reality TV successes significantly boosted Swash's profile, humanizing him as relatable and resilient beyond his acting roots, and paving the way for subsequent presenting roles by establishing him as a versatile entertainer. Swash himself has described the 2008 I'm a Celebrity win as the foundation for over a decade of career opportunities, including family milestones and sustained media presence.

Television presenting

Following his victory on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2008, Swash transitioned into television presenting, leveraging his on-screen charisma to host companion shows for the ITV reality series. From 2009 to 2010, Swash co-hosted the spin-off I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! NOW!, providing backstage insights and interviews from the Australian jungle location. The program was later rebranded as I'm a Celebrity... Extra Camp in 2011, with Swash continuing as a co-host until 2018, often alongside presenters like , whom he first collaborated with in 2009. During this period, he contributed to the show's light-hearted analysis of celebrity contestants and challenges, appearing in various formats including live segments and panel discussions. Swash expanded his presenting portfolio with guest appearances on mainstream programs, including segments on BBC One's , where he discussed personal topics like fatherhood in episodes aired as recently as October 2025. He also featured in children's and lifestyle programming, such as a 2014 episode of Channel 5's , where he tested tech gadgets in an engaging, family-oriented style. In recent years, Swash has taken on more investigative and documentary-style presenting roles. In 2025, he hosted the two-part series Meal Deals: Behind the Bargain, exploring the cultural and economic impact of the UK's supermarket trend through interviews with consumers and industry experts. That same year, he fronted 's Joe Swash: Forgotten Young Dads (working title Britain's Young Dads), a examining the challenges faced by teenage and young fathers, drawing parallels to his own experiences becoming a parent in his mid-20s. Additionally, since April 2025, Swash has co-hosted the series Stacey & Joe with his wife , offering an intimate look at their family life at Pickle Cottage; the show was renewed for a second series in September 2025. Swash's presenting style is marked by humor and relatability, often incorporating anecdotes from his family life to connect with audiences on everyday topics like and choices. This approach has been praised for making complex or personal subjects accessible, particularly in his shift toward family-focused documentaries.

Theatre

Joe Swash made his professional theatre debut in the Cinderella as Buttons at the Central Theatre in Chatham from December 2008 to January 2009, though he was forced to withdraw mid-run due to flu. He reprised the role of Buttons in productions across various venues throughout the 2010s, including at the in during the 2015–2016 season. Swash's subsequent pantomime appearances included the role of the Prince in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Bristol Hippodrome for the 2009–2010 season. He continued with lead comedic roles in holiday productions, such as Wishee Washee in Aladdin at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent in 2011 and Dandini in Cinderella at York Barbican in 2012. More recently, in the 2024–2025 season, he portrayed the comic character Flip Flop (Phillipe Fillop) in Beauty and the Beast at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable. Pantomime has proven particularly appealing to Swash for its family-friendly format, allowing him to perform in engaging, interactive shows suitable for young audiences, including his own children, who have attended his performances. This seasonal work also supports his work-life balance, enabling time at home with his family outside the holiday period while capitalizing on his energetic, audience-engaging style honed from television. Swash's theatre career has remained largely confined to , with no significant non- stage credits reported, concentrating his live performances on the and seasons. Critics have noted his lively, if occasionally awkward, portrayals, praising his lovable and ability to connect with crowds through humor and direct interaction, as seen in his Snow White run where he infused the princely role with flair.

Other ventures

In 2009, Swash, alongside television presenter , set a on for throwing the most pancakes to a partner in one minute. In 2023, Swash published his debut cookbook, Joe's Kitchen: Easy Family Recipes for Everyday Adventures, featuring simple recipes inspired by his home cooking. Swash has ventured into business with the formation of Big H and Little R Ltd in early 2025, a co-founded with Ken Tointon, father of his former partner . The venture's name appears to reference Swash's children, Harry and Rex, though specific details on its operations remain undisclosed. In 2025, Swash co-hosted the Channel 4 series Batch from Scratch: Cooking for Less with batch cooking expert Suzanne Mulholland, known as The Batch Lady, focusing on budget-friendly meal preparation and family organization. The program, sponsored by , premiered in February and was renewed for a second series in July, emphasizing time-saving recipes tailored to participants' needs. Swash has engaged in dyslexia awareness efforts, drawing from his personal diagnosis alongside ADHD, which he discussed publicly in the BBC series Stacey & Joe. In one episode, he delivered an inspirational talk at his former school in Islington, sharing experiences of growing up with the conditions and overcoming associated challenges. Beyond television, Swash has made guest appearances on radio and podcasts, including a 2025 segment on with to promote their projects. He also featured on the Nearly Parents Podcast discussing family life and on Life's a Beach sharing travel anecdotes.

Personal life

Relationships and family

Swash's early romantic life in the included a high-profile relationship with his co-star , whom he began dating in late 2008 after meeting on set in 2005. The couple, who portrayed siblings on the soap, ended their two-year relationship amicably in May 2010, remaining friends thereafter. Prior to Tointon, Swash was in a long-term with Emma Sophocleous from 2005 to 2008, during which they became engaged. The relationship produced their son, Harry, born on June 16, 2007, five months before their separation in January 2008. Swash began dating Stacey in early 2016, following their initial meeting on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2010. The couple announced their engagement in December 2020 and married on July 24, 2022, in an intimate ceremony at their home, Pickle Cottage, a woodland estate they had recently purchased. Together, they have three children: son Rex, born May 23, 2019; daughter , born October 4, 2021; and daughter Belle, born February 7, 2023. Swash is also stepfather to Solomon's two sons from previous relationships: (born 2008, with ) and Leighton (born 2012, with Aaron Barham). This brings Swash's total biological children to four, including Harry. The resides in at Pickle Cottage, where they have documented extensive home renovations and daily life on , highlighting their blended family dynamics. In October 2009, Joe Swash was declared bankrupt by a court after failing to pay the remaining £20,000 of a £120,000 tax bill owed to from his earnings on . The financial difficulties stemmed from a combination of factors, including a year-long absence from work due to in 2005, which ended his role on the soap and left him without an income safety net as a self-employed , followed by irresponsible spending on partying and unnecessary purchases during his early fame. Swash later reflected that he "buried his head in the sand" regarding his finances, exacerbated by poor money management after his 2008 win on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, where lavish lifestyle choices and lack of at a young age contributed to accumulating debts. Swash's agent stated at the time that he intended to settle the outstanding amount imminently to resolve the bankruptcy. He was discharged from bankruptcy in 2012 after implementing repayment plans supported by a resurgence in his television presenting career, which provided the necessary income stability. He was declared bankrupt a second time in March 2013 over a £50,000 tax bill. These experiences prompted Swash to adopt a more cautious approach to finances, emphasizing long-term and avoiding past extravagances to achieve greater stability.

Filmography

Film

Joe Swash's feature film appearances are limited to two early roles in British productions, marking his initial foray into cinema during his teenage years. His film has remained sparse thereafter, with no major leading roles or subsequent credits in theatrical releases, contrasting sharply with his extensive work. In 1996, at the age of 14, Swash debuted on the big screen as the Fighting Boy in , a family directed by that reimagines Carlo Collodi's classic tale with live-action puppetry and adventure sequences involving a wooden puppet boy navigating a whimsical yet perilous world. His minor role contributed to the film's ensemble of young characters encountering magical and moral challenges. Swash's second and final credit came in 2002 with Shooters, a gritty British crime drama co-directed by Colin Teague and Glenn Durfort, where he played Boy #1 (credited as Joseph Swash) in a brief appearance amid a story of gangsters, gun-running, and urban despair in . This low-budget indie project highlighted his sporadic involvement in cinema, primarily in supporting child roles during his formative acting years.

Television

Joe Swash began his television career as a in the early 1990s. In 1991, he appeared in an episode of the sitcom You Rang, M'Lord?, playing a minor role as a boy. During the same decade, he made guest appearances in episodes of the ITV police drama , including a role in 1999. Swash's breakthrough came in the 2000s with his recurring role as in the from 2003 to 2008, portraying the character in over 350 episodes as a market trader and family member involved in various storylines. He briefly reprised the role in 2011 for his on-screen brother's exit storyline and returned for a surprise in 2024. In 2008, Swash won the eighth series of ITV's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, earning the title "King of the Jungle" after competing in the Australian jungle for three weeks. In 2009, he participated in a on , successfully throwing the most pancakes to a partner with presenter in one minute. Additionally, Swash made frequent on daytime shows such as ITV's This Morning and throughout the decade, discussing his career and personal life. Entering the 2010s, Swash transitioned into presenting, co-hosting ITV2's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Extra Camp (later renamed Extra Camp) from 2011 to 2018 alongside various co-presenters including , , and Chris Ramsey. He made a one-off on Channel 5's in 2014, testing consumer technology. Swash also joined the 2023 all-stars edition of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in , reuniting with past contestants. In 2016, he competed in Celebrity MasterChef, finishing fifth. In the 2020s, Swash continued with reality competitions, winning the twelfth series of ITV's in 2020 with professional partner Alex Murphy after performing routines that impressed judges and viewers. He competed in BBC One's Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, reaching the final but finishing as runner-up to Paralympian . More recently, Swash presented Channel 4's two-part documentary Meal Deals: Behind the Bargain in May 2025, exploring the popularity of supermarket meal deals and their cultural impact. In October 2025, he fronted BBC Three's Joe Swash: Forgotten Young Dads (working title Britain’s Young Dads), a documentary meeting young fathers to discuss challenges like and societal stigma, drawing from his own experiences as a parent. Swash has maintained guest spots on and This Morning into this decade, often promoting his projects.

Books

Joe Swash published his debut book, Joe's Kitchen: Homemade Meals for a Happy Family, in October 2022 through Publishers. The cookbook features over 100 budget-friendly recipes emphasizing simple, nutritious family meals, drawing from Swash's personal experiences as a father of four and his participation in Celebrity MasterChef in 2021. Recipes range from quick weeknight dinners like one-pan chicken trays to desserts such as no-bake cheesecakes, with a focus on minimizing waste and involving children in cooking. Swash incorporates anecdotes about his family life with wife , highlighting how cooking helped him cope with grief following his father's death in 1991. The book received positive reception for its approachable style and practical advice, becoming a Sunday Times in the UK. Critics praised its emphasis on joyful, inclusive cooking without requiring advanced skills. It sold well in the celebrity category, appealing to readers interested in everyday home cooking amid rising food costs. No other major books by Swash have been published as of 2025, though the includes subtle insights tied to his blended dynamics.

References

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