How Joe Swash's dad Ricky died as the star traces their Italian family history in BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?
Joe discovers an unexpected link to Sylvia PankhurstJoe Swash tonight embarks on a journey to Italy in Who Do You Think You Are? to trace back his late dad Ricky’s Italian history – but how did he die?
Former EastEnders star Joe speaks about his dad’s death early on in the BBC show and admits it’s had a big impact on his life.
The dad-of-five, who is married to Stacey Solomon, reveals his father Ricky’s side of the family was Italian.
Joe admits: “For me, the past has been something that I’ve not avoided, but I’ve had no interest in.
“I lost my dad when I was quite young and he was quite young. He was only 39 and. I was only 12.
“When my dad was alive, my house was full of life and full of laughter. When my dad died, for a long time it was a house full of sadness and grief.
“For a lot of the time, it was just trying to get through that period.”
Joe says he was “quite vulnerable” growing up as he didn’t have a father figure. He also explains how his dyslexia and undiagnosed ADHD meant he was “misunderstood”.
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How did Joe Swash’s dad die?
As a young child, Joe grew up in Islington, London, with his mum Kiffy, dad Ricky and sisters Shana and Caisie.
But tragedy struck when Ricky, a London cab driver, was 39. He suddenly collapsed at home, with Joe having to make a desperate call to 999.
Ricky had suffered a heart attack and medics were unable to save him. His official cause of death was Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), caused by an undiagnosed heart condition.
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Joe recalled the moment he found his dad during a previous episode of Celebrity Gogglebox. He and Stacey heard a young boy phoning for an ambulance in an episode of 999: What’s Your Emergency?.
Looking emotional, he said to Stacey: “I had to get the ambulance and all that business.”
Joe also spoke about his dad’s death as he paid tribute to him in the 2020 series of Dancing On Ice. He ended up in tears after performing a routine to Stars by Simply Red. The song had been played at Ricky’s funeral.
He said: “I’m probably so different to the person I would have been if he was… It’s hard, it’s a hard thing.
“I miss my dad every day. There’s so much I’d love to show him. There are so many things I’ve done and experienced that I could have shared with him.”
Joe Swash discovers family link to Sylvia Pankhurst
In tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, Joe is stunned to learn of a family link to Sylvia Pankhurst. Sylvia was one of Emmeline Pankhurst’s three daughters and also a Suffragette.
He discovers his great, great grandfather Guisppe Raimo had spoken alongside Sylvia at a 1923 meeting. Together, they raised concerns about Mussolini and the threat his fascist and violent regime would have on world peace.
Joe holds back tears as he realises how Guisppe and Sylvia were right, as Hilter rose to power not long after.
Guisppe had previously moved to London from Italy with his wife and children. Later in Who Do You Think You Are?, Joe travels to Senerchia in Italy, which is where his ancestors are from.
While there, he also uncovers rumours of criminal links and even discovers one of his family members was murdered…
