Joe Swash rushed to hospital after Dancing On Ice accident

Joe had to have an operation!

Author: Alex RossPublished 5th Mar 2020

Former EastEnders actor Joe Swash is gearing up for the 2020 Dancing On Ice final this weekend, but it looks like his preparation isn't going as well as it could be...

Joe, who broke down in tears during the semi-final whilst skating to his late father's funeral song, took to his Instagram Story this morning to reveal he was 'rushed to hospital' to have an operation on his ear, after his pro partner Alex Murphy accidentally kicked him with her skates on.

Wearing a huge bandage across his head whilst in rehearsals, Joe told fans, "I thought we'd get the elephant out of the room and talk about this stupid, ridiculous bandage on my head. Basically what happened was me and Al were doing disco dance..."

Before Alex interrupted saying, "And my skate kicked him in the ear."

Joe then added, "And the skate kicked me in the ear, which give me cauliflower ear, which got infected. Which meant last night I had to get rushed to hospital and have an operation on it. Best thing is the doctor told me I've gotta keep this on my head until Sunday. So all week we're doing the Bolero, looking like this."

However, despite Joe's horrific injury, it looks like he's getting no sympathy from professional skater Alex, who can't stop laughing at poor Joe's bandage.

Sharing a clip of the pair in training for their 'Bolero' performance in Sunday night's final, Alex told fans, 'I cannot even get thru the first ten seconds with a straight face.' (sic)

Oh Joe! 🙈🙈🙈

Meanwhile, after his amazing semi-final performances last weekend, Joe had viewers in tears when he performed a routine to his late father's funeral song.

Speaking in a VT before he performed to Simply Red's 'Stars', Joe revealed, "Unfortunately my dad passed away when I was 12 and this song was played at his funeral. The song changed. Now every time my mum plays it, it brings back bad memories. I want to give it back to her. Give her new memories for the song."

Check out all of the past Dancing On Ice winners below:

Gaynor Faye - 2006

Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye won the first ever series of Dancing On Ice alongside her professional ice skating partner Daniel Whiston, under the watchful eye of judges Robin Cousins, Karen Barber, Nicky Slater, Jason Gardiner and Karen Kresge.

Kyran Bracken - 2007

Rugby player Kyran Bracken won the show - and the hearts of viewers - in the second series. Beating Clare Buckfield in the final showdown, Kyran won with his professional partner Melanie Lambert.

Suzanne Shaw - 2008

Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw won the 2008 series with professional ice skater Matt Evers. Both of their final performances scored a perfect 30/30, which was the first time that had happened on the show, beating runner-up Chris Fountain.

Ray Quinn - 2009 & 2014

X Factor star-turned-Broadway star Ray Quinn won the show in 2009 alongside his professional partner Maria Filippov. The couple beat journalist Donal MacIntyre and his partner Florentine Houdinière with their final performance. He also won the returners' series in 2014.

Hayley Tamaddon - 2010

Corrie and** Emmerdale actress Hayley won with second-time winner Daniel Whiston, beating Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy to the top spot. She also made it to the final of the returners' show in 2014, finishing second to Ray Quinn.

Sam Attwater - 2011

EastEnders actor Sam Attwater won the coveted prize of first place in 2011 wth his partner Brianne Delcourt, beating TV presenter Laura Hamilton. The pair also returned for the 2014 series, but finished fourth.

Matthew Wolfenden - 2012

Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden won the 2012 series with his professional ice skating partner Nina Ulanova, beating fellow soap star Jorgie Porter to the top. This was also the year that Louie Spence joined the judging panel, if you remember...

Beth Tweddle - 2013

Olympic champion gymnast Beth Tweddle won the 2013 series alongside her partner Daniel Whiston in his THIRD win on the show. She beat EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas and his partner Brianne Delcourt, and came third in the 2014 returners' series with Łukasz Różycki.

Jake Quickenden - 2018

Former The X Factor star Jake Quickenden was the clear winner for the revived series of Dancing On Ice in 2018, winning the show with his partner Vanessa Bauer.

James Jordan - 2019

Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan swapped the ballroom for the ice in 2019, and he showed off his amazing moves alongside skating partner Alexandra Schauman.


James beat Love Island star Wes Nelson and former X Factor contestant Saara Aalto in the final.

Joe Swash - 2020

Perhaps the most surprising result in Dancing On Ice history! Joe Swash and his pro partner Alex Murphy were crowned the 2020 winners beating Diversity star Perri Kiely in the final.

Sonny Jay - 2021

After the most chaotic series in Dancing On Ice history, which saw five celebs have to quit the show, Sonny Jay was crowned the winner ahead of Colin Jackson and Corrie actress Faye Brookes.

Regan Gascoigne - 2022

Paul Gascoigne's son Regan Gascoigne was crowned the 2022 winner of Dancing On Ice, in perhaps the most competitive final in history! Regan and his pro partner Karina Manta were up against Brendan Cole and Kimberley Wyatt in the final.

Nile Wilson - 2023

After a tense final alongside Joey Essex and The Vivienne in March 2023, gymnast Nile Wilson was crowned the 2023 winner with his professional partner Olivia Smart.

Ryan Thomas - 2024

Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas and his partner Amani Fancy were crowned the winners of series 16 during the final on Sunday 10th March 2024. Ryan received the most public votes during a tense final with Miles Nazaire and Vanessa Bauer and Adele Roberts and Mark Hanretty.




Joe will be up against Diversity dancer Perri Kiely and Paralympic champion Libby Clegg during the final of Dancing On Ice on Sunday 8th March.

Find out everything you need to know about Dancing On Ice right here.

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