In a surprising career move, TV star Joe Swash has entered into a business venture with Ken Tointon—the father of his famous ex-girlfriend, actress Kara Tointon. 

Given Joe’s past admission that he regretted their breakup, this unexpected partnership has raised eyebrows.

Joe’s New Business Venture

Joe, 43, has launched a company named Big H and Little R Ltd, which appears to reference his eldest son, Harry, 17, and his youngest son, Rex, 4. 

While his wife, Stacey Solomon, 35, has been a major influence in his life and career, it seems that Joe has sought outside expertise in this latest endeavor.

Ken Tointon, a 76-year-old semi-retired accountant, was initially listed as part of the business but quickly stepped away, according to filings with Companies House. 

Although his involvement was brief, the connection between Joe and Ken has sparked intrigue, especially since it comes 14 years after Joe and Kara ended their relationship.

A Look Back at Joe and Kara’s Relationship

Joe and Kara, both former EastEnders stars, were a couple for two years before their romance came to an end in 2010. At the time, the pair appeared deeply in love, with Kara even teasing marriage plans in interviews.

“You’ll have to ask him when we’re getting married,” she once joked, hinting at a future together.

However, their relationship ultimately crumbled, and Joe later admitted that he was the reason for the breakup. Reflecting on their split, he confessed:

“It was all down to me, and nothing to do with Kara. She genuinely does everything right. It was my fault it broke down. I didn’t know what I had until she was gone.”

His candid admission suggested he had deep regrets about losing her, making his recent business move with her father all the more unexpected.

Why Did Joe Turn to Ken?

It remains unclear why Joe sought out Ken Tointon for assistance with his business. Given Ken’s extensive financial experience, his input would have been valuable, but the partnership was short-lived.

Ken has had a long career as an accountant, though in recent years, his name has surfaced in connection with a financial controversy. In 2024, it was reported that Ken became involved with steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta, whose GFG Alliance has been under scrutiny for alleged fraudulent trading and money laundering—allegations the company has denied.

A Financial Times investigation revealed that as pressure mounted on Gupta’s businesses, Ken was brought in to prepare unaudited financial statements after major auditing firms refused to work with them.

At the time, a spokesperson for GFG Alliance explained:

“We appointed Ken Tointon, a third-party qualified accountant, as a restructuring director to some Liberty businesses.”

While there is no suggestion that Ken was involved in any wrongdoing, his association with the case added an extra layer of curiosity to Joe’s decision to collaborate with him.

What’s Next for Joe?

Joe Swash has built a successful career as a television presenter and reality star, winning over fans with his down-to-earth personality. After his soap opera days, he transitioned into presenting, making a name for himself on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! NOW! and later appearing on various ITV projects alongside his wife, Stacey Solomon.

His latest venture, Big H and Little R Ltd, remains a mystery in terms of its purpose and direction. However, with Ken Tointon no longer involved, it will be interesting to see how Joe proceeds with the business.

Whether this partnership was simply a brief financial consultation or part of a deeper professional connection, it certainly adds an intriguing twist to Joe’s business journey.

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