Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash, the beloved couple known for their appearances on various reality shows, are set to take viewers behind the scenes of their family life in a new series titled Stacey & Joe. Premiering on April 1, 2025, on BBC One, the show promises an authentic glimpse into their day-to-day activities at their home, affectionately named Pickle Cottage, located in Essex.
Stacey, 35, and Joe, 43, first crossed paths on the set of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2010, and their relationship blossomed over the years, culminating in their marriage in 2022. The couple shares three children together: Rex, Rose, and Belle, while Stacey also has two older sons, Zach and Leighton, from previous relationships. Joe is the stepfather to Harry, his son from a previous relationship with Emma Sophocleous.
The series will feature the couple's blended family, which includes five children aged between 17 and two, alongside their two dogs and four ducks. Joe expressed his feelings about their family dynamics, stating, "I love [Zach and Leighton] as much as I love all my other kids. There's no distinction." This sentiment highlights the couple's commitment to fostering a loving environment for all their children.
In a candid discussion with the BBC, Stacey shared her initial apprehensions about allowing cameras into their home. "We panicked when we realised viewers see everything," she admitted. However, she soon found comfort in the idea, saying, "In the end, you sort of relax with that, and you think, 'Oh well, so they saw us get the hump with each other, or they saw us do something wrong'. That is probably the best thing we could show the world, because everything isn't perfect." This perspective reflects their intention to portray a relatable and genuine family experience.
Joe echoed this sentiment, stating, "We don't want to glamourise anything. Our biggest discussions at the beginning of this were, 'how much are people going to want to watch us take the kids to school and change nappies?' Our lives are not that exciting." The couple aims to showcase the ups and downs of family life, including their occasional disagreements, which Joe believes many couples can relate to. "We want to show that we love each other, but sometimes we kill each other. It's all part of it, and other couples do the same, so they'll relate to that," he added.
As the filming progressed, Stacey began to appreciate the opportunity to reflect on their family dynamics. She noted that watching their interactions from an outsider's perspective could be beneficial for their relationship. Joe described Stacey as extremely loyal, likening her to a "mother lion" who fiercely protects her children. "She's just the most wonderful person. I mean, there's nothing about Stacey I would change. People love her in the streets, and, imagine me, I'm so lucky, I get to spend the rest of my life with her," he said.
Despite their loving relationship, Stacey and Joe's parenting styles differ significantly. Stacey acknowledged that she often plays the role of the disciplinarian, while Joe tends to be more lenient. "I'm aware that Stacey takes a lot of the brunt because I let [the children] do something and she's the one that has to say, 'No, you can't do that','" Joe explained. This dynamic stems from Joe's childhood experiences, as he lost his father at a young age and aims to create joyful memories for his children.
Raising five children requires meticulous organization, something Stacey learned after becoming a mother at 17. She reminisced about her early struggles, saying, "I, quite frankly, was probably the most scatty teenager you've ever known. When I had Zachary, I had this one whole life that I was responsible for, and so many things that I had to do that I'd never had to consider." Now, with Joe's support, she feels more equipped to handle the challenges of parenting.
As for expanding their family, Joe expressed his desire for more children, stating, "I would love it if we could welcome another at some point." Stacey, however, is more cautious. "Joe would like me to be a baby machine! My pelvic floor is a shambles. I can't do it again. I would love to, maybe when they're all a bit older and they're all independent, if we would be lucky enough and privileged enough to be able to," she said, emphasizing her need for recovery after having three children in quick succession.
Stacey also shared her dream of having more animals in their household. "I would love to have animals and make our own milk and collect our own eggs and grow our own vegetables. That's a dream of mine - but in the future. At the moment, we're still rearing children," she said. This aspiration reflects their commitment to providing a nurturing and wholesome environment for their children.
Filmed in autumn 2024, Stacey & Joe promises to be a heartwarming exploration of family life, showcasing the couple's genuine interactions and the joys and challenges of raising a blended family. The show is set to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with six episodes scheduled to air weekly in the same time slot. Stacey and Joe hope that their story will resonate with viewers, offering a light-hearted escape from the complexities of modern life.
As the premiere date approaches, both Stacey and Joe express excitement about sharing their lives with the audience. They hope that viewers will find joy in their everyday experiences and perhaps see a reflection of their own family dynamics on screen. With their engaging personalities and relatable struggles, Stacey & Joe is poised to become a delightful addition to the world of reality television.
