Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash Face Claims of Not Being Legally Married
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are reportedly not legally married, despite their lavish ceremony taking place at their home, Pickle Cottage, more than three years ago. The former X Factor contestant, 36, tied the knot with ex-EastEnders star Joe, 44, in a ceremony held at their residence in 2022, but recent reports claim that none of it was legally binding.
Busy Family Life Cited as Reason for Lack of Legal Wedding
Citing their hectic family life as a reason behind the absence of a legal wedding, a source told The Sun: "They always intended to do the legal part, but with six kids and busy diaries just haven’t got round to it — life has got in the way." Stacey and Joe are parents to Rex, six, Rose, four, and three-year-old Belle together, while Stacey has Zachary, 18, from a previous relationship, and Joe has Harry, 18, with his ex-partner Emma Sophocleous.
The source also claimed that fans of Stacey and Joe, who boast a combined following of eight million and document their family life through their BBC reality show Stacey & Joe, might feel as if they have been "misled" by the news. However, in a previous social media post, it is clear the couple did not seek to deceive and admitted they had not formally registered their marriage.
Stacey Solomon's Explanation on Instagram
After getting married at home in 2022, Stacey made clear in an Instagram Story that they were not able to get legally married. Responding to a fan's questions about home weddings, Stacey wrote: "To get married anywhere legally, the place has to have a 'civil ceremony' licence. One of the requirements for this licence is that the premises must be made 'readily available' for ceremonies. As this is our private family home and we need it to remain that way we couldn't go for that option. So we are having a relaxed private blessing in front of our closest friends & family and a ceremony of our love to each other and we will register our marriage legally after."
Speculation Over Wedding Ring and Relationship Dynamics
The claims come following increased interest in their relationship, as Stacey has been pictured without her wedding ring multiple times, although she has also been seen wearing it. Stacey directly addressed the speculation during a recent TV appearance on This Morning, saying: "There's a new rumour each week. I'm terrible. I don't read any of that stuff." Looking down the barrel of the camera, Stacey added: "Have I not been wearing my ring? I probably took it off to go to the toilet or something, I don't know!"
On Mother's Day, Stacey shared an image with her children with her ring missing, while Joe honoured her on his account with a smiling family picture. For Zach's 18th birthday post, Stacey's hand was out of view of the pictures. Joe and Stacey began dating in 2016, six years after they met on the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here spin-off show.
Admissions of Relationship Challenges
The couple have allowed cameras to document the ups and downs of family life for their BBC reality show, Stacey & Joe, which has run for two series. In September, the pair admitted they "argue all the time." Joe has previously revealed that at times there has been a "feisty atmosphere" between them.
The pair also admitted their relationship isn't perfect. Last April, Stacey confessed: "I think sometimes it's really good and sometimes it's really c**p ain't it? I think sometimes, everyone's looking for this perfect partner, when actually the perfect one is the one you want to kill half the time, and are in love with half the time." The Mirror contacted a representative of Stacey and Joe for comment, but no response has been reported at this time.
