Joe Swash has credited reality TV for restoring his self-belief after feeling ‘lost’ following his departure from BBC soap opera EastEnders.
The actor and presenter spent five-years on Albert Square as affable spiv Mickey Miller, but the character was eventually axed in 2008 – leaving Swash at a loose end.
And he admits his subsequent appearance on the eighth series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – which he would go on to win – gave him a renewed sense of purpose.
Featuring on Wednesday’s edition of Loose Women, Swash, 41, revealed his success on the show – after which he quickly established himself as a TV mainstay – also served as a catalyst for his recent appearance on the all-star I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.
He said: ‘It was one of those things. I thought that chapter was closed and then they asked me about the spin-off show and South Africa.
Grateful: Joe Swash has credited reality TV for restoring his self-belief after feeling ‘lost’ following his departure from BBC soap opera EastEnders
Old times: The actor and presenter spent five-years on Albert Square as affable spiv Mickey Miller, but the character was eventually axed in 2008 – leaving Swash at a loose end
Tears: Swash admits he was ’emotional’ during his second stint on I’m A Celeb because he was missing his family
‘When I think about the jungle I think about it as a human being. When I left EastEnders I was a little bit lost and it gave me so much confidence. It all stems from the jungle.’
The Cockney star admitted it was fiancée Stacey Solomon who urged him to take part in the South African series because ‘she knew how much’ it meant to him.
But her blessing didn’t stop father-of-four Swash breaking down in front of campmates while discussing his family, an emotional display that mirrored his first stint on the show.
‘I was a bit gutted that I was so emotional,’ he explained. ‘The first time round I was in there a lot longer. It was a big deal leaving her.
‘The first time I only had my eldest son Harry and I’d only see them at weekends. I missed them so much and I was starving hungry, we had no food in there. I was more emotional.’
Success: Swash won the eighth series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2008
Don’t mind me: The actor and presenter admits he let his emotions get the better of him while participating in the South African spin-off
True love: Swash says fiancée Stacey Solomon urged him to take part in the South African series because ‘she knew how much’ it meant to him
Having reunited with his family after pre-recording the spin-off last October, Swash now plans to reciprocate Solomon’s declaration of love by getting her name tattooed on his body.
He said: ‘You know what Stacey’s like, She’s going to want one on my forehead or something. I was so touched by it.’
The actor also admits they will consider trying for another baby after welcoming daughter Belle, their third child together, last year.
‘There’s not a lot of one on one time at the moment but it’s all part of having a young family,’ he added. ‘But we’re so lucky. We’ll have to give it another year or so.’
At the time of filming I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, Solomon was still pregnant with their youngest daughter, now three months old.
The couple also share Rose, 16 months, and Rex, two.
Swash is stepfather to Solomon’s sons Zach, 15, and Leighton, nine, from previous relationships and he has a son Harry, 15, with his ex, Emma Sophocleous.
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