Stacey Solomon supported her husband, Joe Swash, as he confronted challenges related to his health. In their new BBC series, Stacey and Joe, Joe shared his experiences with ADHD alongside Stacey.
The latest episode focussed on how this condition impacts his daily life and explored strategies for better management. While driving through his childhood neighbourhood of Islington, Joe reminisced about his past, including a visit to his old school where he revealed he faced difficulties because teachers “couldn’t control” him.
Joe said: “As a child, I don’t think ADHD was even recognised, so I had ADHD and a bit of dyslexia, which led to me being labelled as a naughty kid. I feel like I invented a character to protect myself by making people laugh.”
During the filming of the series, Joe chose to seek treatment for his ADHD again due to his busy lifestyle and his desire to better manage his neurodiversity. This decision came after a previous attempt to regulate his condition with medication.
He said: “I feel like I’m letting things slip away a little bit.” Joe voiced his worries about treatment, adding: “The problem is, throughout my career, my enthusiasm and energy have propelled me forward—whether it was participating in I’m a Celebrity, acting in EastEnders, or competing on Dancing on Ice.
“I really don’t want to lose that energy because it’s a significant part of who I am. I’m concerned about losing my sense of self through medication.” To explore his options, he consulted psychiatrist Dr. Harrison Howarth in London.
Discussing his challenges with ADHD, Joe said: “I need to get a grip on my ADHD. My life is really busy, and I’m incredibly disorganised. My wife is the complete opposite; she is ultra-organised.
“I’ll receive a script with a deadline, and instead of getting started, I procrastinate, leading to a last-minute panic.” Joe shared that, while he may look fine physically, he often feels mentally exhausted after work.
He expressed to the psychiatrist his hesitation to start medication due to fears it might change his personality. He said: “My ADHD has shaped who I am today, and I’m worried about losing that part of myself.” The psychiatrist reassured him, clarifying that the prescribed medication does not alter one’s personality, prompting Joe to express his desire for Stacey to attend a future appointment.
“He believes that her presence would help her understand how ADHD impacts his daily life. He explained: “She doesn’t understand why I do the things I do, which frustrates me. I get defensive, thinking, ‘I don’t know.’ It would help if we were all on the same page because, right now, I feel like a burden.”
Joe found the recent appointment affirming as he spoke with someone knowledgeable about his situation. In an emotional conversation with Stacey, he expressed past feelings of being misunderstood: He said: “When I was a kid at school, I wasn’t a bad person or a bad boy.” Stacey’s said: “You’ve never been a bad person.”