He took the nation by storm during the first lockdown, with his daily “PE with Joe” live streams, inspiring adults and kids to get active while stuck indoors. Now we’re in the throes of another coronavirus shutdown, Joe Wicks tells Closer how he loves helping people and being a role model to his kids.
Joe, 34, donated the profits from his YouTube sessions to the NHS. And as a result, he became the nation’s favourite PE teacher, amassing over two million new followers, a Guinness World Record for most-streamed fitness class, and even earning himself an MBE for services to fitness and charity.
And Joe tells Closer that he still can’t quite believe his success – having been flogging flyers for his park workout class just six years ago. He says, “Lockdown’s been a difficult time for so many, but I look back on how it all started in March and it’s crazy. I’m so happy that I could inspire people and everyone sort of came together as a fitness community. The MBE was great – but it was the icing on the cake. What made me happiest was helping people and keeping them feeling good and inspiring them to get fit and healthy.”
Joe rose to fame in 2014, after his workout videos and fitness advice on Instagram and YouTube started gaining traction. He went on to release five best-selling books and launch his own TV show, Joe Wicks: The Body Coach, as well as building up 3.8m followers on Instagram.
The star adds that despite his fitness empire, his proudest achievement to date is his family – which includes wife Rosie Jones, 30, daughter Indie, two, and son Marley, nearly one.
He says, “I feel so content right now – I have a little girl, a little boy and the amazing family unit I’d always dreamed of. I’ve always wanted to be a dad and have a loving family I can support and be a good role model to. My kids are two mini-mes – they love food and they make us laugh every day. It’s chaotic and mad – but I love it!”
Check out: Amazon's top lockdown reads
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Amazon's top lockdown reads - slider
1 of 10Normal People by Sally Rooney
It's no surprise that Normal People cropped up on the best-sellers list. This novel's inclusion in the list may well be down to the successful BBC adaptation of the unconventional Irish love story, but it's clearly a popular read.
2 of 10The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
Who doesn't love a rom-com when they're feeling a bit blue? The Flat Share follows Tiffany and Leon - they're flatmates who share a bed, but have never met. An intriguing love story follows.
3 of 10Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce
If you love an all-engrossing thriller to dig your teeth into, Blood Orange is the perfect lockdown read. The novel follows Alison, the lawyer who has it all, as her life unravels underneath her perfect exterior.
4 of 10The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Another thriller pick, The Silent Patient follows Alicia, a woman who hasn't spoken since she shot her husband many years ago, and the psychotherapist who's desperate to find out why she did it.
5 of 10Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
If you're having a bit of Wanderlust this month, you'll love Where The Crawdads Sing. It's a beautiful book about a girl living in isolation in South Carolina and is sure to whisk you away to better times.
6 of 10Slime by David Walliams
Who's kids don't love a David Walliams book? They've proved popular in the past and this newest release is no exception. Main character Ned has won the hearts of children and parents alike with his slime-superpowers.
7 of 10Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul by Mrs Hinch
Mrs Hinch AKA Sophie Hinchcliffe has completely taken over Instagram with her cleaning hacks, and her book is taking over best-seller lists too. There's something oh-so satisfying about shining that sink, she's definitely on to something.
8 of 10The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
The much-loved artist Charlie Mackesy's illustrations were Insta-famous before he authored this heart-warming book. The tale of friendship and kindness is the perfect antidote to worry, sadness or just a bad day.
9 of 10The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel
Unless you've been hiding under a rock recently, it's pretty likely you'll have hear of Hilary Mantel's historical novels. The latest instalment is the final book in her Tudor trilogy, perfect for getting lost in another world.
10 of 10This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay
Adam Kay's best-selling memoir has been hanging out on best-seller lists since it was published in 2017. It's hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, and garners a whole load of extra respect for amazing NHS doctors, nurses and hospital staff.
“Being a parent makes everything more real, too. When I watch documentaries or things like Children In Need, it really gets to me, because I know how much children need love and the fact that some don’t get any breaks my heart. It’s made me super sensitive. It was also partly why I did the PE lessons during lockdown – to keep any problems with children’s mental health at bay.”
Joe grew up in a council estate in Epsom, where his father, Gary, was largely absent due to his drug addiction and time in rehab.
And Joe says that he’s worked hard to create a home life that wasn’t like his own.
He says, “My dad suffered with a drug addiction – he was so loving and amazing when he was there, but he’d always be disappearing to rehab or be out of the house.
“He’d always be arguing with my mum, and home life was quite unstable. I really worked hard to build a strong foundation with Rosie and be conscious about how I interact with her.”
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He adds, “I don’t want to shout and swear, like my mum and dad did, I want to be polite and respectful and teach my kids to communicate calmly.
“My experience of home life as a kid definitely helped me become a better adult. Looking back to where I started, you really wouldn’t have expected much from me – I was a bit of an angry, disruptive class clown.
“But I found a passion for fitness and health and put all my energy into it and here I am.”
Joe is attempting a 24-hour workout for BBC Children In Need 2020 Challenge, from 12 -13 November. Tune into Radio 2, BBC Sounds, Red Button and BBC iPlayer and donate.
Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week.