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Joe Swash has been candid about his tumultuous struggle with mental health in 2008, as he fought for custody of his son Harry with his ex-partner Emma Sophocleous.
The 40-year-old presenter admitted he was “a mess” when he wasn’t on TV, even recalling “thought everything would be better” when he wasn’t alive.
But describing his now-wife Stacey Solomon as “an angel sent to me,” the former EastEnders star explained that things turned around when she met her.
‘When the cameras were off, I was in a mess’: Joe Swash recalls falling into ‘dark depression’ during custody battle with his ex over son Harry, 15 (pictured with Harry)
Joe and his former fiancé Emma welcomed their son Harry in 2007, before ending their three-year relationship less than a year later.
The couple then entered a bitter custody battle, which prevented the TV personality from seeing his son regularly until it was resolved.
Describing the mental toll it took on him, Joe explained to Fabulous Magazine, “When the cameras were off, I was in a mess. I’d lock myself in my flat and not talk to anyone.’
Sweet: But by describing his now-wife Stacey Solomon as “an angel sent to me,” the former EastEnders star explained that things turned around when they met her
Joe and his former partner Emma ended their three-year relationship less than a year after welcoming Harry (pictured together 2006)
He added that his mother Catherine was increasingly concerned because he would not answer calls, the actor explained that while he had no suicidal thoughts, he sometimes thought it would be easier that way.
Losing his own father at age 11 due to a heart condition, Joe expressed his hopes for a family, with the custody battle resulting in his belief that he would never have one.
“It reminded me of my father. And all that sadness that keeps you locked up comes on top of it. It was a really bad time and it went on for years,” he continued.
Joe now has joint custody of 15-year-old son Harry, and often shares photos together on Instagram as they maintain a close bond.
Mentally challenging: Speaking of the tough time, Joe explained, “When the cameras were out, I was in a mess. I’d lock myself in my flat and not talk to anyone’
Angel: ‘I do believe that Stacey was an angel sent to me by my father to take me out of the real darkness in my life. If I hadn’t met her, everything would have been very different. I don’t know what would have happened to me,” he explained
And alongside Harry, the presenter has a blended family with wife Stacey, their two children Rose, one, and Rex, three, along with Stacey’s two sons from previous relationships, Zachary, 14, and Leighton, 10.
Joe described her as “an angel” and admitted he didn’t know where he would be if he didn’t have Stacey. The couple met in 2010 and started dating five years later.
“I do believe that Stacey was an angel sent to me by my father to take me out of the real darkness in my life. If I hadn’t met her, everything would have been very different. I don’t know what would have happened to me,” he explained.
The couple first met during the X Factor star’s stint on I’m A Celebrity, which Joe won in 2008, and hosted the spin-off show during Stacey’s season.
But despite meeting then, Stacey was with ex-boyfriend Aaron Barnham at the time, meaning the relationship didn’t turn romantic until years later.
The duo went public in January 2016 with their romance and after Covid-19 delays, they finally tied the knot in a lavish ceremony earlier this year.
Family: And besides Harry, the host has a blended family with wife Stacey, their two children Rose, one, and Rex, three, along with Stacey’s two sons from previous relationships, Zachary, 14, and Leighton, 10 (pictured with Rose and Rex )
First meeting: The pair first met during the X Factor star’s stint on I’m A Celebrity, which Joe won in 2008, and hosted the spin-off show during Stacey’s season