Stacey Solomon has finally spoken out after weeks of speculation surrounding her marriage to Joe Swash — and her response is both defiant and surprisingly honest.
The TV favourite, 36, married former EastEnders star Joe, 44, in a romantic ceremony in 2022. But questions over their relationship began to grow last month after it emerged that the couple had reportedly not yet formally registered their marriage.
The revelation immediately raised eyebrows among fans, especially as the pair have long been seen as one of British television’s most relatable and much-loved couples.
Just hours after the reports surfaced, Stacey was photographed wearing her engagement ring — but without her wedding band — prompting even more online chatter about whether all was well behind closed doors.
Now, the Loose Women star has shut down rumours of divorce, insisting that she still “fancies the pants” off Joe, while also admitting that, like any real couple, there are moments when she simply “can’t stand him.”
Speaking candidly on the Sort Your Life Out Unpacked podcast, Stacey dismissed the outside noise surrounding her relationship and said she is not interested in letting speculation control her marriage.
She said: “Who cares if the whole world is like: ‘Oh, they’re on the brink of divorce’? Being in the public eye I think creates certain pressures, but not on our relationship because half the time what they’re saying — if we know it’s not true, who cares?”
Stacey added with typical honesty: “Sometimes I fancy the pants off him and can’t wait to come home to see him.”
But she did not pretend that married life is perfect every second of the day.
The presenter continued: “Sometimes I’m like: ‘Get out of my stratosphere — stay away from me.’ I think we’re just like any other couple.”
Her comments come after a difficult period of public attention around her family life with Joe.
The couple share three children together: Rex, seven, Rose, four, and two-year-old Belle. Their blended family also includes Stacey’s older sons Zachary, 18, and Leighton, 13, as well as Joe’s son Harry, 18, from previous relationships.
After reports claimed their marriage had not been made legal, a source told the Daily Mail that the couple’s busy family life had played a major role in the delay.
The insider said: “They have six kids. If you look back at when they actually got married, it was just like a whirlwind, baby after baby. They just haven’t got round to it yet.”
Earlier this month, Stacey returned to Instagram after taking a month away from social media, telling fans she had been “shutting off from the world” amid growing questions about her marriage.
She shared a glimpse into family life with a series of sunny photos of herself spending time with her children. However, followers quickly noticed that Joe did not appear in the pictures.
The update showed Stacey enjoying slow moments at home, including time in the garden and baking chocolate cupcakes with the children.
She captioned the post: “A slow April, in our little world…”
She continued: “Missed coming on here and chatting to you all, but had a lovely April shutting off from the world & just being. Hope you’re all ok.”
The post came after reports that filming for Stacey and Joe’s family reality show had been paused following tensions at home.
The Daily Mail previously revealed that a crew had been booked back in December to begin filming, but the schedule was reportedly thrown into difficulty as pressure behind the scenes at Pickle Cottage became harder to manage.
An insider claimed there had been “problems between Stacey and Joe,” adding to speculation surrounding the couple.
Filming later resumed, with Stacey spotted shooting scenes for Stacey & Joe at Scotts Tulip Farm in Brentwood, close to the family’s £1.2 million home.
The BBC announced last month that the show had been renewed for a third season and would continue following the couple’s blended family as they navigate everyday life at Pickle Cottage.
The popular programme has given viewers a look inside Stacey and Joe’s family world, showing their parenting routines, home life and the chaotic charm that has made them such a relatable couple to fans.
But recent reports have put their relationship under a brighter spotlight than ever.
For many followers, Stacey’s latest comments appear to be her clearest attempt yet to take control of the narrative — acknowledging the reality of marriage while firmly dismissing the idea that the couple are heading for divorce.
Rather than presenting a picture-perfect romance, Stacey described a relationship that can be loving, frustrating, funny and intense all at once.
Her message was clear: behind the headlines, they are simply a couple trying to manage family life, work pressure and the ordinary highs and lows of marriage.
And while the missing wedding band, legal paperwork questions and filming disruption may have fuelled speculation, Stacey’s own words suggest she is not ready to let rumours define her relationship.
For now, the Loose Women star appears determined to keep moving forward — with humour, honesty and the same unfiltered style that has made fans connect with her for years.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
