Lead Deckhand ofBelow Deck Mediterranean,Joe Bradley, remains controversial in the popular reality TV series.Having only starred in one season of the show, yet creating quite a stir, many question whether the eccentric character will be invited back. Joe entered with little knowledge and expertise in yachting but was surprisingly awarded the lead deckhand position by Bosun, Iain Maclean.
During his stint onBelow Deck Medseason 9, Joe turned heads withhis pension for drama and numerous mistakes.With critics and fans flocking to social media outlets to discuss the havoc he wrecked on the show, many wonder what is next for the Liverpool native. While nobody can be certain Joe will be offered a position inBelow Deck Medseason 10, we are certain that he has remained close to the show’s associates.
Joe’s Journey On Below Deck Mediterranean
Everything You Need To Know
Below Deck Medfeatured some entertaining rivalries, romantic pursuits, and emotional breakdowns, all of which Joe was involved with. Joe entered during season 9 and, despite a plethora of slip-ups, he was considered competent enough by Iain to be deemed the lead deckhand. Captain Sandy Yawn wasn’t overjoyed with this revelation as she wasn’t consulted and did not share Iain’s sentiment regarding the newest addition. With the captain often asking deckhand Nathan Gallagher to pick up his slack,it seems likely that she would have preferred Nathan’s leadership.
Joe and Nathan became instant friends, forming a “bromance” that would last throughout the season. While Joe, Nathan, and deckhand Gael Cameron established strong relationships, the dynamic started to shift whenNathan and Gael’s budding romancebegan. Out of possible envy or frustration,Joe would overstep and call her a “princess”despite her overwhelming positive track record and hardworking attitude.
Joe hooked up with both of them consecutively, sending the love triangle spiraling.
He quickly became romantically involved withstewardesses Bri Mullerand Elena “Ellie” Dubaich.Joe hooked up with both of them consecutively,sending the love triangle spiraling. Despite expressing minimal interest in either party, Bri and Ellie would compete throughout the season for his attention. The feud did not seemingly end until Ellie overheard him singing about his disinterest in them both. With the feud at a close, he would turn his focus to the newest stew ofBelow Deck Medseason 9, Carrie O’Neal.
Joe Is Still Engaged In A Love Triangle
The Below Deck Feud Did Not End After Filming
Joe managed to conserve friendships with Bri and Ellie following the season’s close, despite the subtle manipulation of their feelings. In an episode ofBelow Deck Mediterranean After Show,Joe revealed that he and Ellie were still friends. Unfortunately,there seems to be some lingering tension.
Ellie’s remaining feelings for Joe may have made maintaining a platonic friendship difficult, but Joe’s gesture did little to discourage her interest.
When Joe had met Ellie at her home, she, prompted by a romantic gesture of flowers and a card, offered him a massage. According to the stew, he didn’t react well to her “professional treatment.” Joe claimed he didn’t want one and “Maybe she’s taken that hard?”Ellie’s remaining feelings for Joe made having a platonic friendship difficult, butJoe’s gesture did little to discourage her interest.
With further disagreements,Joe and Ellie’s friendship doesn’t feel feasible.During this trip,Ellie was allegedly badmouthing Bri,“like she was a rat.”Joe, disagreeing with her gossip, was off-put by their reunion. He must have been upset with her commentary because a short time after their reunion, he met Bri in LA, where they kissed. The former lead deckhand insisted that a smooch was the extent of their interaction, but the intimacy landed Bri and Joe on Ellie’s blocked list.
His theory, that “She’s just not happy I’m still friends with Bri” remained until Ellie revealed, in an interview with theDailyDish,thatJoe reached out with a genuine apology.He recognized his immaturity and regretted the damage he had done to both women. The pair seem to be on good terms with “no animosity towards him.” Since the drama, Ellie and Bri have been working on mending their friendship.
Joe Has Maintained A Friendship With Nathan
Below Deck’s Joe And Nathan Are Still In Contact
One relationship that has remained steadily in Joe’s life is his irrefutable friendship with his costar, Nathan. The two bonded immediately upon meeting one another and became the season’s “dynamic duo” with hilarious antics and incredible chemistry. While reality TV relationships are often fabricated and discarded after filming,these men have proven that lifelong, on-screen friendships can prevail.The “bromance” has continued past the show’s final episode, with Joe and Nathan constantly keeping in touch.
In an interview withDecider, Joe claimed the pair speak daily, and Nathan reiterated,“We’re having, like, four- or five-hour phone calls every day. It’s crazy.”The two were overjoyed by their instant spark, and Nathan, not subverting the rumors of their romantic relationship, told the interviewee,“Never in a million years would I ever expect to meet someone like Joe on a reality TV show.”Joe followed up with, “Without Nathan, I don’t think it would’ve gone as well for me.”That statement rings especially true, with Joe and Nathan sharing many managerial responsibilities throughout the season.
Will Joe Ever Return To Below Deck Mediterranean?
Does The Charter Really Need Him?
The charter would fare just as well without Joe’s involvement. His petty name-calling, romantic pursuits, and childish antics onlyhindered the performances of those around him. On the other hand, highly dramatized scenes make entertaining media and the show’s ratings may benefit from Joe’s participation. While he garnered negative press and criticism for his leadership abilities, there are some rumorsJoe may return forBelow Deck Medseason 10.
In a Reddit thread created by@bword___, the OP sharedGael, Joe, and Nathan may return for another season.Nathan, allegedly, will be awarded the bosun position, which may cause strife with Joe, who desperately tried to prove his abilities throughout the season. Some users aren’t exactly elated with the news, with@BlackberryThin423commenting, “Would have been fine not to see Joe again lol.” This sentiment seems to be shared with the vast majority of users with this comment the most liked in the thread.
Joe stood out onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9 for all the wrong reasons. While he may have had good intentions, his constant involvement in drama, disrespect of his coworkers, and managerial deficiencies only impeded the charter. He may return for another season, but his welcome may not be warm. No matter the consensus, at least he found a lifelong friendship from the experience.
What Is Joe Up To After The Show?
Joe Has Been Doing A Lot
After Joe appeared on the most recent season ofBelow Deck Med, it appears he returned for another season. As mentioned before, there are rumors Joe and other season 9 cast members are returning for season 10. While nothing is confirmed, this would explain what Joe has been doing since last season. Even if Joe doesn’t return forBelow Deck Medseason 10,he is still active in the yachting industry post-show. Many of his Instagram posts included him on the boat, clearly working on charter. Besides potentially returning toBelow Deck Med, Joe has been enjoying any off time.
In an Instagram video from mid-January,Joe shared a video of himself hyping himself up for the gym and then proceeding to complete his workout. He mentioned in his caption that he was unemployed, so he’s likely on a break until his next adventure.
Unemployment vibes - Mid Jan on a Thursday.
Joe added several tags to the video, including ones that said Liverpool and UK, which likely means he’s back home now that he’s not working.
Overall, since the show, Joe has been working and enjoying some time off. Whether viewers will get to see Joe on anotherBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason is still up in the air, but it seems likely he could be making his return. Viewers will just have to wait and see once the new season is confirmed.
Below Deck Mediterranean
Cast
Below Deck Mediterranean is a Bravo reality television series that follows a crew that works aboard a gigantic superyacht during the busy season. The show highlights the challenges of the crew as they serve their high-end clientele. Each season tackles new locations, such as Greece, Croatia, Italy, and France, with some repeating.
