He's one of the favourites to win this year's series of Dancing On Ice - and no-one is cheering louder for Joe-Warren Plant than his proud dad.
Warren Plant stood proudly outside Blackpool Tower as he watched the iconic tourist attraction light up for his son.
The tower lit up with the words 'Vote Joe and Vanessa' as Emmerdale star Joe took to the ice with professional partner Vanessa Bauer for the fourth episode of the Sunday night celeb skating contest.
And his dad was overcome with emotion.
A tearful Warren, 53, who is originally from Manchester, told the Manchester Evening News : "He's absolutely smashing it.
"We are so proud of what he's done, him and Vanessa.
"I'm at the front of Blackpool Tower now and I'm overwhelmed.
"The way he's performed, I'm in awe."
The tribute was arranged for the 18-year-old actor by Shop It Local in Blackpool, a service that delivers food and essentials to the elderly and vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic which Joe has been helping.
"I've had goodwill messages from up and down the country and from as far as America and Australia," said Warren.
At the start of the competition Joe-Warren took to Instagram to have his say over talk that he already knew his way around the rink ahead of the skating contest.
The soap star, who plays Jacob Gallagher, says he's learned all his moves while training with Vanessa.
He said on his Instagram: "I’m not sure how the rumours came about, but I’ve seen a couple of articles claiming that I had private skating lessons before I started Dancing On Ice and I just wanted to assure you all that I haven’t!"
"He's never had professional skating lessons before," said Warren.
And he reckons that his son could go on to win.
"Fingers crossed he can go all the way in the competition.
"I've put a bet on him winning. I've got to believe in my son.
"I'm outside the tower now and I'm crying."
Blackpool-born Joe is represented by Scream Management based at MediaCityUK, Salford and is the youngest ever Dancing On Ice contestant.
He has played Jacob in the ITV soap Emmerdale for 10 years and landed the role when he was just eight.
"We sent him to drama school when he was four and he was eight when he got his audition for Emmerdale," said Warren.
"He's celebrated his 10 year anniversary."
