We’re chuffed to bits to land a pre-Christmas chinwag with Joe Swash, considering his schedule for the foreseeable is largely dominated by panto.
Discussing his thespian gig in Beauty and the Beast, Joe told us, ‘Stacey and the kids love it. The reaction from the kids is priceless and I’m trying to involve them as much as possible, so they don’t feel like they’re missing out. I'm having a great time. And the good thing is, it's in Dunstable near Luton, so I can travel up and down. I'm commuting, so I'm seeing the kids every day. It doesn't disturb Christmas too much.’
Family man Joe, 42 – who recently returned for an EastEnders cameo – is clearly buzzing for Christmas, as he tells us all about what’s in store at Pickle Cottage this festive season. His priority is wife Stacey Solomon, 35, and their children – Harry, 17 (who he shares with ex-fiancée Emma Sophocleous), Zachary, 16, and Leighton, 12 (from Stacey’s previous relationships), and Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, 22 months – having a ball. And that’s already in motion, thanks to his partnership with Jammie Dodgers…
Tell us about creating Christmas mischief with Jammie Dodgers…
Jammie Dodgers are trying to inject as much mischief into the Christmas period as possible with the help of the Elf on the Shelf. Stacey loves Elf on the Shelf. She doesn't just do pictures, she does little films of the elf putting things in places. For us, the Elf on the Shelf got a shrinking machine, so it shrunk the big Jammie Dodger into the little Jammie Dodger, and then my job was to knock on the door with the shoes strapped to my knees screaming, ‘He shrunk me!’ I'm always at the brunt end of all the practical jokes.
Are you feeling organised for Christmas?
I am a last-minute person, but I’ve had to be on it a little bit more because of panto. But to be fair, Stacey is super organised, so Christmas was probably organised a couple of months ago. I just didn't realise. I said to someone the other day, 'I don't even look at a calendar, I know what season it is just by looking at what's on my door.'
What has been your favourite Christmas?
For me, Christmas is all about getting up with the kids super early - them going crazy, opening some presents, having breakfast, putting the fire on, putting some Christmas films on, having Christmas dinner around three/four o'clock, and then later on, when the kids are getting a bit tired, doing some turkey sandwiches. I just want to be indoors with my family.
How do you feel about hosting?
Stacey and I are really lucky, we've got a huge family. So our house is generally an open house to anyone. The door’s always open.
What are some of your highlights this year?
Just watching how our kids are thriving. Watching them grow up this year has been amazing. It's been a big year. One of our kids went to secondary school, one had their GCSEs and left school… so just watching them all develop, we are so lucky. Our kids are all different ages, so I get to see all the different stages at once. Work-wise, I love my jobs and I love what I'm doing. But my priority is the family. I just really hope that [in] 2025, all my kids are as successful as they were this year.
Will there be any more pets at Pickle Cottage in 2025?
Who knows? We could have a zoo by the end of the year. I’d hate to predict it!
Are you going to be setting any New Year’s resolutions?
2025 is going to be the year I get back into the gym to start working on myself a little bit. I used to go to the gym all the time, it’s really good for my physical and mental health. Next year, I’m definitely going to be hitting the gym a little bit more.
You’ve got a home gym haven’t you – is that a good motivator?
The gym there is perfect. The problem is that because Stacey and I work so hard, by the time we get home from work, spend time with the kids and get them to bed, before you know it, it’s nine o’clock. The last thing you want to do is get down the gym. I just need to motivate myself a bit more.
Could we see joint workouts with you and Stacey?
We do go down to Barry’s. Stacey’s sister works there as an instructor, so we do get to go down to Barry’s a few times together which is nice.
And finally, many fans are calling for your EastEnders return to be permanent – how do you feel about that?
It’s overwhelming! It’s really nice that people still like the character Mickey. It was amazing going back and seeing everyone again, and it’s nice to know what Mickey’s been up to. All of my decisions are based around the family, but I’d love to go back one day, maybe. The thing is, they’d never ask me to go back, and they’ve brought people back from the dead. So if they really wanted me, they would have got me!
Joe has teamed up with Jammie Dodgers to inspire parents to bring a sprinkle of Jammie joy to your holiday traditions and encourage families to get mischievous this Christmas! Together they want families to act their shoesize and not take life too seriously!
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Millie Payne is a News and Entertainment Writer for heat. She has specialised in showbiz interviews, features, articles and roundups for over three years and loves combining her love for writing, talking and all things popular culture.