Joe Swash has opened up about a possible return to EastEnders after fans saw him reprise the role of Mickey Miller for a special episode, alongside Laila Morse
He received a hero’s welcome when he returned to EastEnders and stripped off for a very cheeky cameo last week – now Joe Swash is eyeing a permanent return to the soap.
Joe, 42, who played ducking and diving Mickey Miller from 2003 to 2013, returned as a CEO of a swanky eco-friendly B&B chain in the Cotswolds, before Laila Morse’s character Big Mo roped him into stripping off for her charity calendar. Now, as EastEnders gears up to celebrate its 40th anniversary in February, Joe admits he loved being back on screen with Laila and fellow EastEnders legends Shane Richie (Alfie Moon), Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) and Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater).
Joe said: “I love that place. I have the most amazing fond memories of being on EastEnders. I was super honoured to be asked back. It felt like home.” The cameo was a little early Christmas present for fans, but many would love to see him return full time. It’s an offer Joe would have to balance with his family life.
In their blended family, Joe and Stacey share Harry, 17, Zachary, 16, Leighton, 12, Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, 23 months. Joe said: “If they wanted me to go back in, that would be something I would think about. I’ve got a big family so it would have to suit me and the family ultimately. Soaps are quite full on and I have quite a young family.” Whether or not he goes back permanently, Joe will always treasure his memories of Walford and is excited the soap is celebrating its 40th anniversary in February.
Joe returned to EastEnders last week (Image: BBC)
He said: “I really enjoyed my time. The people that worked there, the directors and the writers and the bosses all were just such amazing people. I loved it there, I really did. So yeah, I’ll be celebrating the anniversary with everyone else. As much as I was in it, I’m a fan of the show as well. 40 years they’ve done really well. It’s a real milestone.”
Fans were thrilled when they saw Mickey strip naked holding nothing but a Christmas present to cover his modesty. But Joe reckons it’s time he got back in the gym. He said: “I need to get myself into shape. I’ve never had such a dad bod in all my life as I have right now. I’ve never looked so ‘dad’.”
For our interview Joe is dressed in a snug waistcoat fittingly covered in candy canes and loud purple blazer as he promotes Heathrow Express’ HeXmas Hotline, which allows passengers at Paddington Station to dial Santa or let loved ones know they’re on their way. He looks just the part but he’s more than a little relieved his promotional outfit is so forgiving – unlike the skin tight crab costume Stacey made him wear for his son Rex’s first birthday party.
Joe admits that he used to be ‘really fit’ but is now embracing the dad bod (Image: ITV)
Joe said: “Underneath this waistcoat, it’s not pretty. I wouldn’t get into a morph suit now with these lumps and bumps! The last time I dressed up was for Rex’s birthday. He was into Moana and Stacey convinced me that she had this amazing crab costume for me to wear for his birthday party.
“It was just a purple morph suit with a bin lid on my back, painted gold. I felt quite exposed.” Just five years ago (2020), Joe won Dancing On Ice and had a rippling physique and a taut six pack. He said: “I used to be really fit. I used to go to the gym three or four times a week.
“Now, with the kids and work, I don’t have the time, so I’m going to try and make time.” For Joe, it’s not just about transforming his body and looking great, it’s also about maintaining good mental health. He added: “I just think it’s good for my mental health as well just to stay fit. It’s so underestimated how good it is to feel good about yourself. If you feel good about yourself, you feel good about the world.”
Joe’s even moved his rowing machine into the kids’ playroom so he can look after them while he stays fit. However, he admits he’s not managed to clock up many metres through the festive season. He said: “I like working out. I do a little bit of everything in the gym. I like running. I like rowing, I lift the odd weight – but we’re talking about Joe from a long time ago. I’m a different person… this is Joe from five or six years ago.
“I like the rowing machine and I put it in the kids play room to row at home. But I haven’t done that in a while. This year I’ll go try and get a bit fitter.” But before that Joe is preparing for Christmas Day where he plans to cook turkey and a beef wellington for his family. He said: “I love cooking. This year I’m doing a turkey crown and a little beef wellington. My beef wellington is special.”
Joe has been starring as Flip Flop in Beauty and the Beast panto. He loves it (oh yes he does) but it does mean he’ll be performing on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. He says, “I’m working in panto this year so I’ve only got Christmas Day off so for me a perfect Christmas would be just with the family.
“The kids enjoy themselves, doing Christmas dinner. And just spending quality time with that lot before I go back into work.” Though he has got a cheeky surprise in store for his kids – and it involves dressing up again. He said: “This year I might dress up as The Grinch and let the kids catch me trying to steal presents for fun. That is the plan, me getting caught trying to nick the presents.”
The HeXmas Hotline runs daily until this Friday December 20th (9am–3pm) at the Heathrow Express platform at Paddington Station. With trains every 15 minutes and special advance tickets for just £10, it’s the easiest, most festive way to travel this Christmas!
