Stacey Solomon was conspicuously absent from the TV Choice Awards on Monday night, while her partner Joe Swash avoided press interviews. Their reality show, Stacey & Joe, failed to win an award despite drawing 4 million viewers. The negative headlines have continued, but one friend says the picture being painted is unrecognisable.
The friend, who has known Stacey for over a decade, says recent claims that she is 'tricky' and 'ruthless in business' are far from the truth. Rumours of a feud with 'cleanfluencer' Mrs Hinch – real name Sophie – and that Stacey 'used' her former friend for brand deals have also been dismissed. 'The Stacey I know is down to earth, generous and has worked so hard,' the friend said.
Stacey rose to fame after her 2009 X Factor audition, holding baby Zachary as a 19-year-old single mum. Now a mother of five, she has graced Loose Women, hosted Sort Your Life Out, and starred in a BBC reality show with Joe Swash. Her success includes brand deals with Asda, Primark, and a jewellery line, funding her dream home, Pickle Cottage, a £1.2million Essex property.
The friend recalled meeting Stacey at a 2014 Thorpe Park event following her split from Leighton's father. Despite wanting to shield her sons from media, Stacey was polite and later invited the friend behind the scenes of her music video. Over the years, they shared dinners and karaoke nights. Before Stacey left for I'm a Celebrity in 2016, the friend told her 'never change'.
The friend believes that the decision to put filming for her reality show on hold in December was to protect her family, not a sign of difficulty. 'Industry insiders might find it odd, but Stacey has always wanted to protect her loved ones,' the friend concluded.
