UPDATE: |Joe Swash breaks down in tears over ‘misunderstood’ struggle as Stacey Solomon says ‘you deserve better’ News

He was seen breaking down in tears as he opened up about being ‘misunderstood’ as a youngster before getting a diagnosis

Joe Swash was seen breaking down in tears as he opened up about being ‘misunderstood’ as a youngster before getting a diagnosis that explained his behaviour later in life.

The former EastEnders star and his wife Stacey Solomon were back on the small screen on Tuesday night (April 15) with the third episode of their own family reality show, Stacey & Joe, which has been airing on BBC One since the start of the month.

During the latest instalment of the show, which gives an insight into the celebrity couple’s family life at their Pickle Cottage home, Joe opened up about having ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

According to the NHS, ADHD is a condition where the brain works differently to most people. Symptoms often start before the age of 12 and involve a person’s ability to pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive) and their ability to control their impulses (being impulsive).

“Being a kid, I don’t think ADHD back then was even recognised, so I had ADHD and a touch of dyslexia, so I really got tarred with the brush of being a naughty kid,” he shared in a candid moment.

Joe added: “I feel like I sort of invented this character to sort of protect myself a little bit, just making people laugh.”

The I’m A Celebrity and Dancing on Ice winner later headed to a psychiatrist in a bid to “try and get a grip” on his ADHD as he admitted to feeling like the control he had was “slipping away” due to his busy schedule at the time.

Joe shared how he’d previously been offered medication but gave up on it quite quickly as he feared losing his personality. After talking to the psychiatrist, Joe decided to give medication another ago.

He also admitted he wanted Stacey to join him at a session to help her understand why he may act a certain way or think in a specific style as he said they are “polar opposites” when it comes to how they deal with things.

Arriving home, Stacey was quick to ask him how the session went as she admitted to being pleased that he was seeking help. “It was nice to speak to him, because he understands the ins and outs of what’s going on,” Joe admitted.

He then added: “It’s opened up a box of worms for me, where it goes a little bit deeper than I thought it was going to,” as tears began to fill his eyes.

Stacey replied: “I know that’s difficult to think about but ultimately you’re a good person Joe and you’re not able to be your best self at the moment. And you don’t deserve that to be happening to you.”

She added: “This is about getting back on your feet in a place where you feel comfortable, safe, loved. Do it for yourself. You deserve better than how you’ve been living, Joe.”

Joe then broke down and wiped away tears as he tried to close the conversation by saying: “Yeah… so that’s that.” Stacey then rushed over to comfort him as the pair shared a tight embrace and the Loose Women star told him: “I love you.”