Joe Swash hints at 'exciting' acting comeback 16 years after BBC EastEnders exit
EXCLUSIVE: Joe Swash has hinted he could be making a major comeback to his acting career, over a decade after becoming a fan favourite on BBC soap EastEnders as Mickey Miller.
It’s been 16 years since Joe Swash graced Albert Square as Mickey Miller, before he left EastEnders, and his acting career, behind to pursue a job in TV presenting. However, the former soap star has hinted he could be making an “exciting” move back into the industry.
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Joe told fans to “watch this space”. When quizzed on if he would consider reigniting his passion for acting, the star teased: “I can’t say too much - but I have some really exciting things happening this year - so watch this space!”
Joe, 42, joined the EastEnders cast in 2003. He was later accompanied by his younger sister, Shana Swash, 33, who starred as his on-screen sibling Demi Miller. Joe’s character Mickey was part of the soap for five years, but eventually left the Square in 2008 alongside Keith Miller (David Spinx) and their dog Genghis.
At the time a source claimed to The Sun of Joe’s exit: "[Joe] and David [who plays Keith] were told their characters had run out of steam by EastEnders boss Diederick Santer. Joe was stunned at first. He's loved playing Mickey and felt the fans still enjoyed watching his antics."
Joe recently addressed his disappointment over his sudden departure from the BBC soap during a conversation with his I'm A Celebrity... South Africa campmate, Carol Vorderman, last year.
He told the Countdown star: “I had the worst outro ever! I didn’t even leave at the end of the episode.
"So usually you leave at the end of the episode and you get the 'doof doof'. Mine, I went to Norwich to be a bellboy at a hotel, and mid-scene I just walked into the Vic and went, 'Right, see you later'.
"They turned back to Phil, turned back to me and I’d gone. I was like 'What, that’s it?' I was there five years and not one 'doof doof'!"
Meanwhile, Joe is also considering a major move in his personal life, as he and Stacey Solomon are “definitely interested” in becoming foster parents.
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The subject is very close to the actor and TV presenter’s heart, as his mum, Kiffy, has been a foster carer for over 11 years, while Joe has just become the first ambassador of Comfort Cases UK - a foster care charity helping to support vulnerable children across England and Wales.
The former EastEnders star still has a close bond with his foster sibling, Daniel, who moved into their family home when he was just seven-years-old.
He told Express.co.uk: “It would definitely be of interest to both Stacey and I [to become foster parents], as we have seen the difference my mum has made to little Daniel’s life and the young man he is growing up to be.
“And it truly scares us to think what could’ve happened if my mum had never met him; and the difference it would’ve made to his life.”
