Stacey Solomon’s blended brood is growing even bigger, with the star sharing the happy news last month that she was expecting baby number five with husband Joe Swash. But despite her joy, Stacey revealed on Loose Women last week that she’d been struggling with anxiety.
Appearing on the ITV show, Stacey, 33, looked worried as she revealed she fears she could be left with nothing if her showbiz career ends. She shared, “Even to this day I think, ‘Well, we’re comfortable now but something’s going to go wrong at some point.’”
But it’s not only her fears for the future that have been playing on her mind as she prepares to add to her brood. Stacey can’t help but think back to daughter Rose’s dramatic birth in October 2021.
Rose was born unexpectedly on Stacey’s 32nd birthday at Pickle Cottage after the star was sent home from hospital following mild contractions. Stacey told her followers just after the birth, “I woke up feeling a little twingey so I went to check in on her. She seemed happy as Larry and the contractions weren’t too strong, so I went home.
“But she decided she was ready to meet us immediately. So our community midwives came straight over with all the gas and air.” She added, “I quickly regretted not staying in hospital and getting an epidural!”
As well as the fear that history may repeat itself, insiders say that Stacey is also stressing over the logistics around the birth.
“If she were to have another home birth, she’d want to make sure the children are taken care of and don’t witness the same sort of drama she experienced with Rose,” adds the source.
And with her TV work flourishing, Stacey has never been busier, leading pals to fear that she may have too much on her plate.
The source says, “She’s always been a worrier and had a bit of imposter syndrome, but it’s really amplified at the moment. Sometimes she says she feels like she’s living someone else’s life rather than her own because it seems too good to be true – she gets herself into a panic spiral. Some very happy moments have been quickly overtaken by dark and negative thoughts. Her mates are worried that this type of negative thinking is just going to create unnecessary stress and anxiety when she’s already facing a huge challenge ahead, expecting her fifth child.”
The bubbly star first found fame back in 2009, after appearing as a contestant on The X Factor. Winning over viewers with her sweet personality, she went on to win I’m A Celeb in 2010, as well as landing herself a seat on the Loose Women panel.
From humble beginnings, Stacey – who is mum to Zachary, 14, and Leighton, 10, from previous relationships, and shares Rex, three, and Rose, one, with Joe – has often opened up about having her first child at the age of 17, sharing that Government benefits “saved [her] life” when navigating parenthood.
Since rising to fame, Stacey now lives a luxurious life at Pickle Cottage – her £1.2 million Essex home that the couple bought in 2021. Boasting a sprawling garden and a private pool, Stacey often shares her happy life with her followers – balancing being mum and wife with brand deals and TV shows.
And last year the Sort Your Life Out presenter got her fairy-tale ending after marrying EastEnders actor Joe, 40, writing “You know you’re in love [when] reality is finally better than your dreams.”
But even when living her dream life, the TV personality has been open about battling her “out of control” anxiety – and our source says that Stacey’s imposter syndrome is becoming a big issue that threatens to drag both her and her loved ones down.
They share, “Her friends and family all know she doesn’t need to worry! She and Joe have a nice lifestyle and a lot of mouths to feed, but they’re both very hard working and social-media jobs are really lucrative for them.”
The source continues, “But they know it’s not her fault –Stacey realises she’s so lucky for her lifestyle. She always feels so grateful. Her friends and family have assured her time and time again that none of this amazing life is going anywhere and she’s very sensible when it comes to money and looking after her family. But it doesn’t stop her worrying.”
After taking on board the concerns of those around her, Stacey is now trying to find ways to cope with any unwanted thoughts.
The source shares, “Stacey does want to have some positive change in her life. With her being pregnant and constantly on the go, she finds it hard to meditate or get herself in a calm state – but she’s going to start reading some self-help books because she knows she can’t go on like this. Her pals feel she should be enjoying her success and her family life rather than constantly worrying.”