I have to get into shape - I've got a dad bod!'

Actor, presenter and super-dad Joe Swash on balancing work and family life, parenting through the difficult teen years, his return to EastEnders and his resolution to get fit

- JEN PHARO

With six children, a busy showbiz career and prioritising his marriage to national treasure Stacey Solomon, Joe Swash is struggling to find time for himself.

The TV star, 42, has noticed the pounds creeping on and has set himself a 2025 resolution to get back into the gym and transform his dad bod.

“I need to get myself into shape,” Joe tells OK! during our exclusive chat. “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 covered in candy canes, and a loud purple blazer, to promote the Heathrow Express HeXmas Hotline, which allowed passengers at Paddington Station to dial Santa or let loved ones know they were on their way.

He looks just the part, but he's more than a little relieved his promotional outfit is so forgiving - unlike the skintight costume Stacey made him wear for their son Rex's second birthday party!

"Underneath this waistcoat, it's not pretty," laughs Joe. "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 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, in 2020, Joe won Dancing On Ice and showed off a rippling physique. For the semi-finals, he skated to Rod Stewart's Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? and ripped open his shirt to reveal a taut six-pack. But according to Joe, those days are long gone.