Joe Swash bravely opened up about his struggles with ADHD in the latest episode of Stacey & Joe, leaving viewers emotional as wife Stacey Solomon offered him her full support during a particularly vulnerable moment.
The former EastEnders star got candid during the April 15 episode of their BBC reality show, revealing how ADHD – and a touch of dyslexia – impacted him as a child. “Being a kid, I don’t think ADHD back then was even recognised,” Joe explained. “So I really got tarred with the brush of being a naughty kid.”
He admitted that, as a coping mechanism, he created a bit of a persona to deflect from how he really felt. “I feel like I sort of invented this character to sort of protect myself a little bit, just making people laugh,” he shared, according to the London Evening Standard.
Cameras followed Joe as he visited a psychiatrist for the first time to get professional advice on how to manage ADHD while juggling his busy family and work life. The session stirred up more than he expected. Though the visit offered clarity, it was an emotional experience. Joe decided to explore going back on medication, hoping it might help bring some balance.
Back at Pickle Cottage, Joe reflected on the session with Stacey, telling her: “It was nice to speak to him, because he understands the ins and outs of what’s going on. It’s opened up a box of worms for me, where it goes a little bit deeper than I thought it was going to.”
Dropping his usual cheeky on-screen persona, Joe struggled to hold back tears. Stacey, ever the supportive partner, gently reassured him: “I know that’s difficult to think about but ultimately you’re a good person, Joe, and you’re not able to be your best self at the moment. You don’t deserve to be going through this. This is about finding your footing again.”
Trying to keep things light despite clearly being overwhelmed, Joe wiped his eyes and muttered: “Yeah… so that’s that.” Without missing a beat, Stacey wrapped him in a warm hug, softly whispering: “I love you.”
The touching exchange struck a chord with fans, who praised Joe for his honesty and Stacey for being such a solid rock by his side. It was a raw and emotional moment that showed a different side of the usually bubbly duo – and one that many viewers clearly related to.
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