Ever since she moved into Pickle Cottage a couple of months ago, Stacey Solomon hasn’t been able to contain her excitement and emotion as she transforms the Essex property into her family home of dreams. She’s been happily sharing that journey with her 4.5 million Instagram followers and everyone has been keen to do as much of the DIY as possible, but we’re told she’s now realised what a huge project it is turning out to be and that she may be in way over her head. Plus she’s worried about burglars if she gives too much information away online.
“Stacey has always been proud of the fact that she can do most things by herself, especially when it comes to her home, and it’s what’s made her such a big star on Instagram,” our insider says.
“Her followers are so important to her and she’s keen to show them everything that’s going on with the house. She’s tackled a few of the smaller jobs already, but such a big renovation project is just not feasible by herself and she’s often been left wondering what she’s taken on. There’s so much work to be done and she doesn’t know where to start, but she doesn’t want to feel like she’s letting her fans down by getting in help.”
Stacey and fiancé Joe Swash moved to their new home in March with their two-year-old son Rex and Stacey’s two other sons from previous relationships, Zach, 13, and nine-year-old Leighton. So far, we have seen her decorate Rex’s room, help lay some floor in the conservatory and do up the downstairs loo. But with things such as a compete kitchen overhaul, a restructure of the lounge and more or less rebuilding the outdoor pool, she’s had to get people in.
CHECK OUT Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash's love story from the start
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash relationship timeline slider with cover pic
1 of 22Swipe through to see Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash's complete relationship timeline...
2 of 222010: Stacey wins I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
When Stacey won I'm A Celeb in 2010, she was already in a relationship - but it's where she first met Joe, who was presenting the spin-off show, named I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW! at the time. He'd previously won the show in 2008, and Stacey was a guest on the show the following year. The pair became good friends, and Joe later admitted he'd fancied Stacey back then, but it wasn't the right time!
3 of 22January 2016: Stacey and Joe are spotted together
The pair first sparked dating rumours when Stacey shared a snap of herself on a spa weekend saying that she felt like a 'new woman', and just days later was spotted arm-in-arm with Joe in Essex.
4 of 22January 2016: Stacey and Joe go Instagram official
Stacey went Instagram official with her new boyfriend later that month, sharing a snap of Joe with some flowers and she told the Mirror, "It's going really well... We're having fun, spending time together and getting to know each other." Joe added to OK! online, "She's lovely, she's an amazing person... I'm really lucky."
5 of 22March 2016: Joe and Stacey make their first public appearance together
The new couple made their first official public appearance together in March 2016 at the Gala Screening of 'Game of Thrones' Season 5, Episode 8. Stacey also shared a photo of the pair together on Instagram with the caption, '#happy ud83dudc99ud83dude01.' [sic]
6 of 22May 2016: Joe and Stacey go on holiday together with her sons
In May 2016, Stacey shared photos of herself with her sons on holiday in the countryside - and also posted a video of herself with Joe on a romantic row boat trip.
7 of 22August 2016: Stacey discusses having babies with Joe on Loose Women
Although they'd only officially been together for eight months, Stacey revealed that she was feeling pretty positive about the relationship, even adding that they'd discussed having babies together. Joe even said, "I think definitely babies, that's a good idea."
8 of 22October 2016: Joe and Stacey appear on Celebrity Juice and spark engagement rumours
During an appearance on Celebrity Juice together, host Keith Lemon made Joe 'propose' to Stacey - but it wasn't real! Stacey took to Insta with a snap of the pair looking awkward and the caption, 'Looking forward to @celebjuiceofficial tonight! So much fun! P.S thanks @keithlemonforreal for giving me a day of non stop phone calls from family and friends and press congratulating me on my "engagement" ud83dude21 hahahahahaha ud83dude02ud83cudf4bud83dudc9b.' [sic] However, she later added that she'd taken it as a 'pre-proposal'!
9 of 22November 2016: Stacey and Joe present the I'm A Celeb spin-off TV show together
In November 2016, it was announced that Stacey would be joining Joe to present the I'm A Celeb spin-off show, along with Vicky Pattison and Chris Ramsey.
10 of 22July 2017: Stacey is serious about marriage with Joe
In July 2017, Stacey revealed that she was quite serious about getting married to Joe in an interview with Closer. She said, "He is such a brilliant dad which sells it to me the most - he has a great moral compass and a really good heart. We are really serious about each other so we want to do things slowly. I can see myself walking down the aisle with Joe - he really is 'The One!'"
11 of 22August 2017: Stacey accidentally goes wedding dress shopping
Whilst shopping for something to wear to an event, Stacey accidentally stumbled across some wedding dresses, and uploaded a video of herself trying one on with the caption, 'When you go to @suzanneneville to try on dresses for an event but you get carried away and start trying on wedding dresses... I AM NOT GETTING MARRIED, I haven't been proposed to, we aren't even thinking about it (well maybe I am a little bit, or a lot, or all day every day) so don't get carried away! I just couldn't resist. 'I say we should be aloud to wear these dresses for any event or casual brunches or just around the house! Oh my goodness I nearly cried when I had to take it off. So if anyone's ever feeling blue get yourself a little try on session it's literally made my day! Hahaha ud83dude02ud83dude02 P.S I have made sure to tell Joe to stay off of social media because of some phone eating virus ud83dude02ud83dude02.' [sic]
12 of 22December 2017: Stacey reveals she's quite keen to get engaged
Stacey revealed on Loose Women that she was so keen to get engaged to Joe Swash that she'd even take a text proposal! She said, "I think any kind of proposal is great. I'll take a text. That's a great idea. All the pressure's gone, just send a little message."
13 of 22December 2017: The couple spend Christmas Day together
Stacey and Joe took a big step in December 2017, spending Christmas Day together for the first time. Stace shared a snap on Instagram of herself, her sons Zachary and Leighton as well as Joe on Christmas Day. N'aww.
14 of 22October 2018: Joe and Stacey move in together
Stacey revealed that she and Joe had moved in together along with her two sons in October 2018, sharing a photo on Instagram with the caption, 'HOME SWEET HOME. Finally all in and ready to start afresh together. If you're wondering what's going on here... We are eating a Chinese out of random Christmas dishes, using our hands, whilst sat on washing baskets and cardboard boxes eating off a cat basket. Nothing to see here...' [sic]
15 of 22February 2019: Stacey and Joe are expecting a baby together!
The next big milestone in this relationship came in 2019 when they announced their pregnancy! Joe first announced it by sharing a series of photos of Stacey napping with the caption, 'Have been driving myself mad thinking that she's bored senseless of me and can't stand to be awake for longer than 10 minutes of my company... So you can imagine my delight to find out that she still loves me and my company very much she's just been growing a baby. 'I can't begin to describe how happy we are to be able to share this wonderful news. We've been so blessed with 3 incredible children that we've had the privilege of raising and we are forever grateful to have the chance to become parents to another wonderful child. It's all very overwhelming and emotional and we couldn't be happier right now.' [sic]Whilst Stacey shared a photo of the baby scan, writing, 'Every time I go to write anything I sob so... what he said @realjoeswashy ud83dudc9c.' [sic]
16 of 22February 2019: Stacey and Joe open up about their pregnancy on Loose Women
Stacey said, "I'm so elated and excited. We really can't believe we've been privileged to be able to have another child. I forgot who I told and then I was like, 'Who knows this?' We felt it was important to keep it to ourselves until we felt really safe, that was first and foremost. Even when you're ready and you know it's the right time to tell people, you still think, 'Aww, I do just want it to be ours a little longer'." Joe added, "It's brilliant, I'm really chuffed – it's just nice to have the secret out. It's been quiet for so long, we're so excited," as Stacey laughed, "It's been the normal length of time," with Joe agreeing, "But we've had to kind of keep it undercover. But now we can sort of breathe a little bit and let people know." Stacey said, "Joe doesn't often get emotional so there's something really nice about everything he says," with dad-to-be Joe adding, "We feel really blessed. Really excited. I can't wait to see what our little kid's going to look like, can you?" Getting tearful, Stacey said, "I honestly don't know what to say. It's such a massive thing and I still can't believe it's happening to us. I don't really know what to say. I'm really excited," as Joe agreed, "This child is going to tie up the family. My kid and your kids are going to feel like they're part of this big family. We're going to have such a lovely family. It's amazing news and we're really happy!"
17 of 22March 2019: Joe congratulates Stacey over her new job on Celebrity Juice
After Stace landed a job on Loose Women, Joe took to Instagram to share just how proud he was of her. Sharing an adorable snap of the pair, Joe wrote, 'So proud of this one who starts her first day on Celeb Juice tonight. You're gonna smash it @staceysolomon love you bub. ud83dudc9c' [sic]. Aww!
18 of 22March 2019: Stacey reveals how Joe REALLY reacted to her pregnancy news
In an interview, Stacey revealed what Joe's initial reaction to the news she was pregnant had been. She explained, "I showed him the positive pregnancy test and he laughed, like, 'Are you joking? But I haven't seen you in ages!' So, yeah, we were both quite shocked."We were conscious that it's what we wanted, but we weren't specifically looking at a time for it to happen, so it was a really lovely surprise - he was over the moon and it was just lovely actually."Speaking out about whether she'd like to have another boy - Stacey and Joe already have three sons between them - or whether she'd like a girl, the former I'm A Celebrity! winner said that she initially thought it would be nice to have a girl before changing her mind."But then I started to worry – what if it is?" she joked. "I don't know girls! I know how to do boys. I've known boys for 11 years!" adding that the boys all want a little brother, joking that they're at at an age "where they're like, 'Eugh, girls!'"
19 of 22March 2019: Joe shares a sweet snap of Stacey's sons protecting her bump
In March, Joe shared a beautiful photo of himself on the sofa with Stacey and her two sons, who were both cuddled up close to her and her bump. He jokingly captioned the photo, 'Iv got no chance with these 2!' [sic]
20 of 22May 2019: The baby is born!
On Thursday 23rd May, Stacey and Joe welcomed a little boy into the world. Joe announced the news on Stacey's Instagram, sharing a photo of her and the baby with the most heartwarming caption.Revealing that the baby had come a little early, he wrote, 'This morning. A lot earlier than planned I watched the love of my life, bring a new life into the world. We are overwhelmed, overjoyed and apprehensive of what's to come. Mummy and baby are well and resting. 'We are so grateful for all of the love, support and positivity we've received over the last 8 months. I'm lost for words to describe how I'm feeling. So for now, I'm going to spend the next few days and the rest of my life falling more in love with these two humans. I didn't think it possible but, today I witnessed the impossible. My partner, My love, my life, you are a super human. I am forever in awe. Joe X.' [sic]
21 of 22May 2019: Joe shares a beautiful photo of himself with his newborn son
After posting on behalf of Stacey on her Instagram account, Joe then shared his own photo, posting an adorable snap of himself looking a bit teary-eyed and his kissing his boy. He wrote, 'Good morning sonxxxxx'. [sic]
22 of 22May 2019: Stacey gives her Loose Women fans an update
Ironically, Stacey's baby shower was due to take place on today's episode of Loose Women, so during the show, the ladies read out a statement from the new mum, reading, "I was so looking forward to my baby shower today. "I'm gutted I can't be there but me and baby are watching from home, which feels even more special now. Thanks so much. I love you all. The first place I'm going when I can put some normal pants on and walk properly is to the Loose Women studio."Stacey's sister Jemma also gave fans a further update, telling the Loose Women panel, "It was such a lovely birth. I was so, so, so privileged to be a part of it. It was amazing."
Last week, the 32 year old invited her followers to ask her anything about the new house and was inundated with requests to do a whole tour of Pickle Cottage and post up the floor plans. But she said she didn’t want to do that as she was worried it could encourage burglars and doesn’t want to make her family a target – and we’re told she’s worried she could have shared too much already.
“Stacey loves keeping her fans up-to-date with her life, but ever since the house move she is worried she’s given too much away,” our source explains. “It’s hard getting the balance right and she needs to make sure she has privacy and protection as well. But her Instagram page is what has made her a big star and letting fans into her life is one of the main reasons for that. It can be hard for her.”
Look! More news!
Stacey Solomon fumes as Joe Swash reveals wedding date LIVE on air
In the past year Stacey has also become one of the country’s most in-demand TV stars. As well as being a regular on ITV’s Loose Women, she is currently filming BBC show Sort Your Life Out, which has seen her have to be away from her family, something which she is also finding hard.
“The past year or so has been a whirlwind for Stacey and she’s so grateful for everything, but it can all be overwhelming,” we’re told. “But everything she’s doing is to make sure her boys have a good life and she knows they love the new place. But sometimes she misses the carefree days when there wasn’t so much pressure on her, and at times, she’s scared this new dream life won’t last.”
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