Dancing On Ice fans in tears at Joe Swash's son's speech about his late grandfather
Joe broke down in tears as he performed to his dad's funeral song
The semi-final of hit ITV show Dancing On Ice took to our TV screens on Sunday 1st March, with Perri Kiely, Joe Swash, Libby Clegg and Ben Hanlin looking to impress viewers at home with their performances.
After Diversity star Perri scored the perfect 40/40, Ben and Libby found themselves in the bottom two, and former EastEnders actor Joe Swash broke down in tears as 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."
After receiving 38/40 from the judges following his amazing routine, Joe told the crowd, "That was really difficult. I found it hard watching the VT. I'm so glad. I'm lucky to have Alex, to be here, have the score."
Joe's professional skating partner Alex Murphy then added, "I just wanted him to have a happy memory. There was a lot of pressure to do that routine. I’m happy he has something to go home with."
But perhaps the most emotional part of the whole thing was when hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield interviewed Joe's 12-year-old son Harry, who was sat in the audience supporting his dad.
He told them, "Let me just say Grandad is looking down watching. He's not just smiling, he's crying happy tears I don't think he is anywhere near as proud of him as I am."
After hearing his mature words, viewers of the show were quick to take to social media to praise the 12-year-old, with many being reduced to tears at his words.
One user wrote, 'The way @realjoeswash son speaks about him on dancing on ice'. (sic) Another added, 'Joe Swash’s eldest son is possibly the cutest boy EVER. So adorable'. (sic)
A third then wrote, 'Omg how sweet is Joe’s son!!'. (sic)
Check out all of the past Dancing On Ice winners ahead of next weekend's final:
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.
Meanwhile, after his amazing performances, Joe made it through to next weekend's final, alongside Perri Kiely and Libby Clegg.
The Dancing On Ice final takes place on Sunday 8th March on ITV.