Joe McFadden was born Joseph Martin McFadden in Glasgow, Scotland to Irish parents. He began acting at 12 years old when a talent scout from the detective show 'Taggart' visited his school, Holyrood Secondary and invited him to play the role of the son of a murder victim.
He followed this with various Scottish stage, film and television roles including the leading role Prentice McHoan in 'The Crow Road"(for which he was nominated for a BAFTA) before moving to London and joining the original London production of the Tony award winning musical Rent as the narrator, Mark Cohen.
He has appeared in notable stage productions for The Royal Court, National Theatre Of Scotland and played the title role of 'Aladdin' at The Old Vic theatre opposite Sir Ian McKellen
On television he has played many memorable roles in various hit television shows including the lead policeman, PC Joe Mason in ITV's 'Heartbeat' and also the brilliant trauma surgeon Raffaelo (Raf) Di Lucca in BBC hospital drama 'Holby City'
In 2017, 13 million viewers watched him lift the glitterball in the BBC dancing competition 'Strictly Come Dancing'
Holby City(1999)as Raffaello Di Lucca
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag(2013)as Additional Voices
Little White Lies(2010)as Greg
Cranford(2007)
Isolation Interviews(2020)as Self
Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years(2024)as Self - Contestant 2017
Strictly Come Dancing(2004)as Self - Contestant, Self - Audience Member
Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh(2020)as Self
The Steph Show(2020)as Self - Guest
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two(2004)as Self
The Brontes at the BBC(2016)as Andrew Lawton
Harry Hill's TV Burp: The Best Bits(2011)as PC Joe Mason
Harry Hill's TV Burp Gold 2(2009)as PC Joe Mason
