joshua becomes good friends with simon barlow (alex bain) when he is enrolled in his primary school in december 2008. in april 2009, ashley's employee graeme proctor (craig gazey) sees joshua's talent at football, which he encourages ashley and claire to nurture. claire initially disapproves of joshua playing football but then encourages him after seeing how good he is. in august 2009, during a charity fete that claire has organised, joshua complains that his throat is sore and collapses in front of janice battersby (vicky entwistle); he has swallowed a bee. he is immediately rushed to hospital where he makes a full recovery to his parents' relief.