In a strikingly honest new interview, television personality Stacey Solomon has pulled back the curtain on her marriage to actor and presenter Joe Swash, confessing that their relationship is far from perfect and they experience fallouts lasting for months at a time.
The Reality Behind the 'Golden Couple' Image
Solomon, 36, and Swash, 43, who have been married for three years and live in their £1.2 million Essex home, Pickle Cottage, are often seen as a fan-favourite celebrity pair. However, the Loose Women panellist has revealed the intense pressure of juggling two busy careers while raising their five children, which includes three under the age of six.
"How can you not fall out with your husband?" Solomon questioned in her conversation with Good Housekeeping. She explained that despite having some help from her parents, the daily grind of chores and childcare leads to constant arguments. "Everything's a kerfuffle," she admitted, describing their hectic home life.
'I Can't Even Look at You Right Now'
The couple's arguments can become so severe that they enter prolonged periods of tension. Solomon shared a blunt insight into these phases, stating they sometimes have "a couple of months of, 'F***king hell, I can't even look at you right now.'" She attributed these rifts to the sheer exhaustion of their situation but emphasised that their shared morals and values ultimately bring them back together.
Their youngest three children are all under six, while Solomon's two older sons—Zachary, 17, from a previous relationship with Dean Cox, and Leighton, 12, from her engagement to Aaron Barnham—also live at home, adding to the dynamic household.
Authenticity on Screen and Regrets
The pair recently allowed cameras into their home for their documentary series, Stacey & Joe, which aimed to show an authentic portrayal of their relationship. In scenes filmed over the 2024 Christmas period, Swash joked about making "another kid next year," to which Solomon swiftly replied, "I don't think so... I don't think we had sex in 2024."
However, this openness has come at a cost. A source told The Sun that Solomon had regrets about the show after receiving backlash, with viewers criticising Swash's time management and her own hyper-organised habits. The insider said she felt she was coming across as "bossy" and was forced to be the "grown-up," which caused friction.
Despite this, Swash defended their decision to be real, telling Closer magazine it was their responsibility to show "the highs and the lows" and counter the perfect images often presented on social media. The couple first met in 2010 after Solomon won I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and Swash hosted the spin-off show, beginning their relationship in 2016 before marrying in 2022.
