She’s enjoyed being in her newlywed bubble for the past six weeks, spending quality time with husband Joe Swash and their five children at their love nest, Pickle Cottage. But the honeymoon period will soon be over for Stacey Solomon as she heads back to work and finds herself more in demand than ever – which, while flattering, is causing stress.
The 33-year-old star is thrilled because she’s being courted by This Morning to join the team, but insiders say she’s also feeling worried and torn as she doesn’t want to upset her Loose Women family or current regular presenters, Holly Willoughby and Alison Hammond.
Closer’s source says, “Producers have seen Stacey’s star rise and her popularity grow, but it was really after her wedding that discussions were had about bringing her over to This Morning. She’s been really shocked to get the offer to try out for the show, but she doesn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. She knows it would be huge for her and her brand – but she’s also nervous about the possibility of getting involved in a viper’s nest.
“There are so many presenters gunning for a spot on that sofa! There are also politics about nabbing her from a different show, but ultimately it would be up to Stacey. She also doesn’t want it to seem like she is betraying her Loose Women family or that she’s stepping on Holly or Alison’s toes, so she is feeling very nervous about it all. At the same time, her husband Joe thinks it would be a big leap ahead in her TV career and that she would be mad to say no to it.”
Over the past few years, Stacey has become a national treasure thanks to her honest take on parenting, relationships and being the queen of DIY. This has led to hugely lucrative ranges and collaborations with Primark, In The Style, Air Wick and Dove, plus two books based on her signature “Tap to Tidy” Instagram tag. But she is also one of TV’s most in-demand stars and was nominated for a BAFTA for her show Sort Your Life Out.
But since marrying Joe in the grounds of Pickle Cottage in July, she’s taken a break from work so they could enjoy a family honeymoon together at home, along with Joe’s son Harry, 15, Stacey’s sons Zachary, 14, and Leighton, 10, and their two children together, Rex, three, and Rose, 10 months. Loved-up Stacey even told her 5.4 million Instagram followers how it has been the best six weeks of their lives as they just relaxed and did normal family things.
Now though, the star is keen to get back to work, even though she knows she has a big decision to make. The source says, “Stacey’s being advised to consider the offer and she knows she can’t just turn something like this down – but she’s hoping she can spend time mulling it over as she is still feeling incredibly overwhelmed after the wedding.
“She’s told producers as much and has said that she is worried she wouldn’t be reliable, as her schedule for Loose Women is more relaxed – she can dip in and out. But they’ve told her they can be flexible and that they would be happy to work around her schedule to start with.
“She’s a huge admirer of Holly, who juggles This Morning four days a week with being mum to Harry, 13, Belle, 11, and Chester, seven. She also thinks Alison is fantastic on Fridays. It’s early days yet and it might not happen for a while, but bosses are keen to make it work.”
Holly – who has been ITV’s golden girl since joining the show in 2009 – is often rumoured to be considering leaving This Morning, especially since branching out to start her wellness brand, Wylde Moon. But our source adds that Stacey isn’t trying to take her place.
The insider says, “Obviously there has been a lot of talk about Holly leaving the show over the years and Stacey doesn’t even think producers would want her to fill in for her on that scale. But that’s where her pals feel like she is doing herself a disservice and always underestimating herself. Her mates all think she could be doing more and that she’s a natural when it comes to communicating with viewers on live TV, which is no easy feat. She’s often saying she’s nervous – but that is part of her charm and she has a growing loyal fanbase that TV execs seem to be taking note of this. She’s hot property right now, and her wedding to Joe has only enhanced that – but Stacey still feels worried about it all.”
