Strictly star reveals he’s engaged to boyfriend calling him ‘my soulmate’
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Joe McFadden is engaged to his boyfriend Rob and told fans he “couldn’t be happier”.
He beamed in a photo with Rob, an artist, shared on social media tonight.
Joe, 48, wrote alongside the photo: “Couldn’t be happier to be engaged to be married to my amazing soulmate, Rob.”
“Congratulations, Joe! What absolutely wonderful news,” one follower replied.
Another said: “Absolutely love this, and I’m so happy for you both. May you have much more happiness come your way!”
Holby City actor Joe won Strictly in 2017 with his pro partner Katya Jones.
After his victory that he was unemployed and single.
The following year he made an appearance on Sport Relief and was busy auditioning for new roles.
At first Joe struggled to land the grittier theatre work he craved, but later toured in an Agatha Christie murder mystery.
In 2019 he performed in a touring production of the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
He most recently starred opposite another Strictly winner – Stacey Dooley – in stage thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Joe spoke out on the Strictly crisis this year, with the Scottish star hinting that Katya was tough on him during the series.
Speaking earlier this month, he said: “What happens in the training room should stay there. She is a Russian, so you can imagine what she was like.
“The pros take it seriously. And that is the way it should be as viewers expect you to do great dances every week.”
The former Holby City actor went head-to-head with Debbie McGee, Gemma Atkinson and Alexandra Burke in the 2017 final dubbed “the best ever” by fans at the time.
After tough competition, “dark horse” of the competition Joe beat the women at the final hurdle to take home the glitterball trophy.
After being announced as the public’s winner, the stunned star said: “It’s completely surreal! I can’t believe it! We did it!”
He then told Claudia Winkleman that he thought he “wouldn’t win in a million years” and added: “I’m so in awe of everyone who started all those weeks ago. We’ve become such a tight unit.”
Joe, whose partner Katya Jones burst into tears after they were crowned, won the judges over with his impressive routines.
Turning to Katya, Joe said: “This one is an amazing woman. Thank you so much for sticking with me and persevering, and being the most amazing artist and dancer and counsellor and slave driver! She’s amazing.”
Joe portrayed surgeon Raffaello “Raf” di Lucca in BBC One medical drama Holby City from 2014 to 2017 when his character was killed off.