Jake Quickenden
Dancing on Ice winner Jake Quickenden reveals how becoming a dad has changed his outlook – and healed a lot of heartache…
His good looks and distinctive vocals saw Jake Quickenden shoot to fame on The X Factor back in 2014. He finished in 11th place but the same year, he was runner-up in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Four years later, he was crowned the undisputed champion of Dancing on Ice. But his biggest role to date began this February, when the 32-year-old welcomed his first child with girlfriend Sophie Church. Here, the besotted new dad opens up about online abuse oddly aimed at his newborn (?!), raising awareness about bone cancer on ITV’s The Real Full Monty and – after writing a new hit single, When I’m Gone – admits that becoming a father has seen him adopt a whole new outlook…
The first lockdown must have been very difficult for you and Sophie…
It was, because I like to be out and working. Then Sophie had a miscarriage and that came as a huge shock to us both. But we weren’t going to let it hold us back. We really wanted a baby.
Sophie was in a bad way, so I just supported her in any way I could. Luckily, we were finally blessed with Leo.
How is Leo doing now – early on he was a bit poorly, wasn’t he?
Yes, he had silent reflux. He’s so much better, thank you. There is nothing worse than watching your child in pain. I never want to go through that again.
Your step-son, Freddie, seems to be a big fan of Leo!
He is. I’ve been in Freddie’s life for three years now and I treat him as my own. It’s like I have two boys in my life. He’s really taken with Leo and I adore just watching them play together. I’m a lucky man.
You went through a hard time when trolls targeted Leo on social media following his birth, didn’t you?
I was staggered. I don’t care if they abuse me, but I don’t understand the mentality
of people who want to target a newborn baby. My partner, Sophie, also received revolting messages. But she told me not to respond. I only hope they can change the laws soon – this whole thing has got to stop.
Leo Oliver is named in memory of your brother, Oliver – who you lost to bone cancer almost 10 years ago. Has Leo helped you get over that loss?
Yes, in a big way. When Leo was born it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted. I now have a brand-new life ahead of me. In a way, Leo has helped heal the past loss of both my brother and my dad. My dad always told me to be good at everything I try to do in life. Now, I want to teach that to both Leo and Freddie. It all feels like a new beginning.
How has becoming a father changed your outlook on life?
I feel like life isn’t just about me and my work any more. I now have someone else to care about – and I want to spend more time trying to be a good and caring father to Leo. I look at life through different eyes.
When you appeared on the X Factor in 2014 – how do you look back on that experience?
It was a difficult time. I was grieving for my brother and my dad. I couldn’t focus in the way that I should have. That’s how I remember my time on the show. It was… hard. But of course, I’m truly grateful for that opportunity because it offered me a chance I wouldn’t have got anywhere else. I was young then and I needed that experience – and it led me to a more secure place in life. I think the X Factor helped me grow up.
You went on to win Dancing on Ice in 2018, but you’ve continued with music, too…
When Leo was born, I just felt inspired to write a song, so I went into the studio to write When I’m Gone with a friend of mine. It came at a really happy time for me. But I couldn’t believe it when it shot into the charts, beating Bruno Mars. That came as a real shock!
● When I’m Gone, the new single by Jake Quickenden, is available to download on all platforms.