They appear to be the picture-perfect couple, but it’s been quite a fraught time for Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash in recent weeks. Following an emotional public row – which came amid the pressures of filming their new reality show – Stacey jetted off on a girlie holiday to Las Vegas, saying, ‘I didn’t know how much I needed this’. And now the pair are set to spend even more time apart, with Joe heading off to do panto until January.
In a bid to reignite their spark, sources tell heat that the couple – who have been together since 2016, and married for over two years – are planning a romantic holiday in early 2025. ‘Stacey loves the festive period and prides herself on trying to make it perfect for the family. But it’s exhausting, too, which is why she and Joe are talking about going away as a family when he finishes his run in panto,’ our insider says. ‘Stacey adores time away on holiday. Making memories with Joe and the kids is her favourite thing to do. Stacey thinks a holiday would be a good chance for her and Joe to reconnect and to spend some quality time together.’
Stacey, 35, has been holding the fort at home with their kids – Rex, four, Rose, two, and one-year-old Belle, as well as her sons Zachary, 16, and Leighton, 11 – while former EastEnders actor Joe, 42, who is also dad to son Harry, 17, has been busy preparing for his starring role in Beauty And The Beast at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable.
Stacey recently admitted that it hasn’t been easy. Posting a video of them together, she told her Instagram followers, ‘Home sweet home with my husband who has been estranged. He's doing panto this year, which the kids are so excited about. But that means he's in rehearsals every day until he starts and then he doesn't finish until 7 Jan. So between the hours of 6 in the morning when he leaves and 8pm at night when he gets back, we don't get to see him.’
Stacey has been spending increasing amounts of time without her man. As well as her lavish Vegas trip – where she watched her idol Adele perform – she also took Rex, Rose and Belle to the Moana 2 premiere, and went to Winter Wonderland with Zachary and Leighton. And we’re told that the distance between the pair – who last enjoyed a family holiday to Turkey in August – has taken a toll on their relationship. ‘They both lead really busy lives at the best of times, and their work often means they have to spend a fair amount of time apart,’ our source says. ‘That would be hard for most couples, but Joe is Stacey’s best mate, as well as her partner, so it makes it doubly difficult when he’s not there.’
Last month, Stacey was seen looking tearful as she was consoled by a crew member during a reported bust-up between the pair while filming their reality TV show Escape To Pickle Cottage. The source tells us, ‘The row with Joe was over something silly that just escalated and blew into a bigger drama than it should have – mainly because Stacey was so exhausted and emotionally drained. She was just about keeping her head above water as it was with five kids and her work commitments – adding the show on top tipped her over the edge.’
But after her solo trip to Vegas, Stacey’s realised how crucial it is to take some time out. ‘The holiday gave her some headspace and a massive boost, but she obviously wished Joe had been there, too,’ our insider adds. ‘The trip just served to underline how important time away can be and that’s why she can’t wait to get the opportunity to do that with Joe in the new year.’