From child molestation to adultery – Josh has been involved in some shocking scandals lately – but how much do you really know about the 27-year-old?
Early life
Joshua James was born on March 3 1988 in Tonitown, Arkansas and was the first of parents James and Michelle’s 19 children.
Like his 18 siblings, Josh was raised as a conservative Christian and was homeschooled until he turned 16.
Before his television work Josh worked as a car dealer and was actively involved in politics.
READ MORE: JESSA AND JILL DUGGAR SPEAK OUT ABOUT CHILD SEX ABUSE AT HANDS OF BROTHER JOSH
Most recently, Josh was executive director of a Family Research Council organisation. He was given the role as they believed his profile would help the non-profit group appeal to a younger audience.
During his work in politics, particularly Christian Rights, Josh has been labelled an ‘anti-gay activist’ and also voiced his negative views on abortion and divorce.
Fame and family
His family shot to fame in 2005 when their documentary 19 Kids and Counting debuted on TLC. The show followed their lives, and revealed the strict rules the children lived under.
These included limited access to television and chaperoned courtship – in which a couple is accompanied on dates by adults.
The tight relationship rules didn’t stop Josh meeting and marrying Anna Keller, and their nuptials were shown on A Very Duggar Wedding in 2009.
Following his parents rules, Josh claimed he and Anna didn’t share their first kiss until they were husband and wife.
Josh and Anna have four children: Mackynzie, six, Michael, four, Marcus, three and newborn daughter Meredith.
Scandals and rehab
In May 2015 hit the headlines for a very different reason. It was revealed that, when he was 14 and 15, Josh molested five young girls, four of whom were his sisters.
A police report, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by In Touch Weekly, claimed that Josh inappropriately touched the girls mostly when they were sleeping, though a few cases occurred when they were awake.
Following the revelation that one of Josh’s victims had included a ‘much younger sister’, who was reportedly unaware of the abuse, his parents sent him to a Christian ministry and training programme.
READ MORE: JOSH DUGGAR’S PARENTS ‘HEARTBROKEN’ AS HE REVEALS CHEATING AND PORN ADDICTION
Because of Arkansas Law, Josh could not be charged for his crimes as reports of sexual abuse must be filed within three years of being reported. Josh’s other victim is allegedly still underage.
As a result of the scandal, Josh was forced to resign from his role at the Family Research Council. TLC also axed 19 Kids and Counting.
In August 2015 Josh attracted more scandal when it was revealed he’d used dating site Ashley Madison in an attempt to cheat on Anna. Following the site’s data breach, which showed credit card transactions in Josh’s name, he admitted to his infidelities and to watching explicit videos online.
Anna stood by Josh, who admitted: “I have been the biggest hypocrite ever.”
Since the molestation and adultery revelations, Josh has checked into a rehab centre for ‘long-term treatment’.