Joe Swash seems to have it all in the land of showbiz and celebrity.
He’s got millions of followers on Instagram and Twitter. He’s on the TV almost whenever you switch on, including Celebrity Gogglebox and The Hit List – which is on today (November 23).
And, most importantly, Joe‘s relationship with his wife Stacey Solomon is regarded as one of the most wholesome in entertainment. Together, they appear to head up the family of dreams.
However, while the good times may be rolling for Joe right now, he has faced very serious situations in his life and work.
Joe Swash’s brain condition that led to work ‘axe’
Joe was best known for his stint on EastEnders before reality TV success on I’m A Celebrity.
He played cheeky chappy Mickey Miller in Albert Square between 2003 and 2008. But illness struck in 2005 as Joe was hospitalised with a brain bug.
It left him unable to stand or speak without vomiting.
Doctors diagnosed Joe with meningitis and swelling of the brain.
He spent two weeks in intensive care – and didn’t go home for another month afterwards.
Impact of illness for Joe Swash
Joe took three months of unpaid leave from EastEnders for treatment to help him learn to talk and move again.
He previously said he believes his illness was linked with his axing.
My illness had a massive impact on the job.
He told The Sun in 2008: “My illness had a massive impact on the job. When I came back I couldn’t find my feet.
“New producers came in and brought in new actors and I got lost down the pecking order.”
Bankruptcy followed for Joe Swash
Joe went to the jungle for I’m A Celebrity in late 2o08. He became King of the Jungle after winning over ITV viewers.
However, just months after his big win, Joe went bust in 2009. He also went bankrupt again in 2013.
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Joe previously explained to the Mirror in 2017 that he fell behind on tax and bills, ignoring what he needed to do.
He admitted at the time: “I was chucking [money] away on stuff I didn’t need. I went out every night and had a house with a mortgage.
“When you are young you just don’t think it is ever going to end. I thought I was going to be on EastEnders for years and years.”
Watch Joe on The Hit List on Saturday (November 23) at 5:35pm on BBC One.
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