She’s been praised for her candid revelations on parenting, her long-term struggle with mental health and her battle with post-natal depression.
And, six weeks after giving birth to daughter Rose, mum-of-four Stacey Solomon, 32, confessed she’s struggling as she grapples with life with a newborn again.
Last week, the worn-out Loose Women panellist – who shares her first daughter with fiancé Joe Swash, 39 – posted a video for her 4.8m Instagram followers, saying, “And we’re back in bed again. Shock horror. I am as tired as I look – I look like a small boy.
“I’ve just got no energy. I had so many plans for my maternity leave and can’t wait to get some energy back and do all the stuff I imagined we’d be doing.”
As Rose began to cry, she added, “I feel a bit sad that it’s flying by and the days are so short and I’m not doing anything because I’m so tired.”
Earlier this year, the former Jungle Queen confessed to “tremendous guilt” she still feels after struggling to bond with eldest son Zach, 13, after he was born when she was 17.
Shortly after her confession, Stacey – who tragically suffered a miscarriage during her struggle to conceive a fourth child – took a break from social media, which she later confessed was down to a crippling bout of anxiety.
As she continues to bravely document her struggles, pals reveal the coping techniques she has in place to prevent herself from spiralling again, in the hope it can help others.
Check out The X Factor facts that will make your brain tingle
The X Factor facts - slider
1 of 131) There's been more than 20 judges
Yup. There's been a whopping 24 judges on the X Factor UK; Simon Cowell, Sharon Osborne, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue, Brian Friedman (throwback), Cheryl Tweedy, Mel B, Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Louis Tomlinson, Nicole Scherzinger, Tulisa, Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Ayda Field, Kelly Rowland, Paula Abdul, Geri Halliwell, Natalie Imbruglia, Katy Perry, Pixie Lott, Alexandra Burke, Leona Lewis and Anastacia.
2 of 132) Mollie King auditioned for The X Factor
Mollie King auditioned for the show twice; once as a solo artist and then again in girl group Fallen Angels. She was unsuccessfully on the ITV show but it didn't matter because soon after, she joined The Saturdays and made it big.
3 of 133) The producers approach some contestants
Similar to Love Island, the bosses at The X Factor also get in touch with potential stars. Rylan Clark-Neal confirmed that the producers approach people during an intimate chat at This Morning Live. He explained, "I actually got invited to go on The X Factor."It's no secret that it's a TV show some people turn up, some people they find online. They said would you like to audition for The X Factor."
4 of 134) Rylan Clark-Neal said 'no' at first
At first Rylan Clark-Neal actually declined going on The X Factor. The now TV presenter admitted, "I said no it's not something I'd want to do. "I'd just gone on Signed by Katie Price – a modelling show – the year before The X Factor and I said 'No it's muggy, it's embarrassing'. I've just done one reality show I don't want to jump to another one but thanks so much."Three weeks before the actual audition they called him again and managed to convince him to perform and well, the rest is history.
5 of 135) Max George was disqualified from the show
Remember The Wanted? Well Max George followed in the footsteps of Mollie King and auditioned alone and then again in the group Avenue – however it didn't work out. The group Avenue were disqualified after it came to light that they'd been put in a group by a former employee of the ITV show.
6 of 136) Another member of The Wanted auditioned for the show
Just like Max, Tom Parker auditioned for the show but didn't manage to make it to the judges round. Luckily he later joined The Wanted and they sold a few records.
7 of 137) The Conway Sisters are the only act to be voted off by their mentor
Only one act in the history of The X Factor has been voted off by their own mentor and it was The Conway Sisters back in 2005. Things were tense during the vote off between the girlband and Chico, however everyone was stunned when Simon Cowell voted to keep Chico in the competition - sending his own act home.
8 of 138) An Ibizia Weekender star auditioned for The X Factor
Ibiza Weekender rep Deano also went on the show and during his audition he took his top off. He managed to make it through as a wildcard but failed to get through to the next round.
9 of 139) Jasmin Walia swapped TOWIE for The X Factor
Former TOWIE star Jasmin Walia auditioned for the show back in 2014 (while she still appeared on the ITVBe show). Unfortunately she did make it through, burst into tears and was comforted by Mel B.
10 of 1310) Sam Bailey broke a X Factor winner record
Sam Bailey released the quickest album out of all the X Factor winners – she dropped The Power of Love in March just THREE months after starring on the show.
11 of 1311) Lauren Murray spills the beans on X Factor pay
Ever wondered how much the X Factor stars get paid while they're on the show? Well 2015 contestant Lauren Murray admitted they get peanuts, she told the Mirror, "For two months I haven't been earning anything."You're given an allowance but it's not much. It's pocket money, like my Grandad would give me. It's less than £50 a week."
12 of 1312) Jess Glynne was approached by X Factor producers
Jess Glynne may be the British female solo artist with the most number 1 songs on the Official Singles Chart but things could have gone another way if she went on X Factor. The singer has admitted she was approached by ITV producers when she was 15 to go on the talent show however she declined."I just wasn't really feeling it. It wasn't really me. It was a great thing to see but also a great thing to walk away from. "I was quite an opinionated girl, I still am, and I know what I want so I don't think it would have been the right thing for me. "Some people do need that platform, and for some people it's perfect because not everyone enjoys the creative part, the writing and making the music. But that's my favourite part," she told the Independent.
13 of 1313) Gary Barlow claims the changing rooms are bugged
Gary Barlow was an X Factor judge for three years so you'd assume that he loved it but after leaving the show he claimed the X Factor bosses would tell them what to say on the show.He wrote in his autobiography A Better Me, "About half an hour before the show goes live, the producers would come in and and they'd go, 'Oh my God. That Misha. She's a bully. Can't believe it."'She is such a bully. In fact, you know what? You should say it. You should say it on air. She's bullied everyone all week.'"They leave the room. Ben: 'Do not say that'. Later Misha comes on… Tulisa: 'I think you're a bully'. Louis: 'I think you're a bully'."He then bizarrely added: "Was the dressing room bugged? They always seemed to know what was being talked about behind closed doors, and eaten, too. "What ever happened in that building always found its way to the press."
Meditation and breathing exercises
Stacey regularly turns to “meditation and mindfulness” to help combat her anxiety, revealing she uses breathing exercises to help calm her in moments of stress.
After slipping out of her routine since giving birth, pals say Joe has encouraged her to return to her morning meditations.
A source says, “Stacey was so exhausted when she had Rose that she stopped doing things that helped ground her and ease the panic.
“Over the last couple of weeks, Joe’s been urging her to get back to that ‘calming routine’, sitting with her to do the deep breathing exercises, and taking the kids every morning to give her time to meditate, which has really been helping her.”
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Reaching out to Adele’s BFF
Stacey has also been seeking support from Adele’s childhood BFF, Laura Dockrill, who suffered from postpartum psychosis after giving birth to her son, Jet, in 2018.
Laura, 35, detailed her struggle in her book, What Have I Done?, and launched a podcast, Zombiemum, to raise awareness of the condition, which left her sectioned in a psychiatric ward.
The source says, “Stacey’s a huge fan of Laura’s podcast and they’ve messaged on Instagram over the past few weeks, which has reminded her she’s not alone. Laura’s helped her to let go of the pressure she puts on herself to be the ‘perfect mum’.”
Stacey also launched her own parenting podcast, Here We Go Again, after having Rex in 2019.
Social media breaks
Fans love Stacey’s updates of her day-to-day life on Instagram, but her recent absences and fewer posts on social media have sparked concern.
In April, the star said she was “going to put my phone in a drawer for a few days” after having a tough week.
In the following months, her breaks became more frequent, which she attributed to anxiety that left her feeling “strange”.
And insiders say Stacey has become more aware of her triggers since becoming a mum for the fourth time, so she’s set stricter boundaries.
The source says, “Taking social media breaks helps her to prioritise self-care as well as limiting the temptation to compare her life to other people’s. She sets time limits and strict breaks to help clear her head and focus her energy on herself and her loved ones.”
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Tidying and organising Pickle Cottage
Earlier this year, the Sort Your Life Out host revealed she uses tidying and organising as a way to help keep her anxiety under control.
She said, “The only way for me to completely block out those thoughts when I’m feeling out of control is to focus my mind on a task, and that can be tidying something, organising something or crafting something.”
And insiders say she has a list of tasks she can turn her mind to when she’s having a difficult day.
The source says, “Stacey’s in her ‘happy place’ when she’s creating a new space at home or even just re-organising the kids’ toys or baking a cake, which she finds therapeutic.
“She’s constantly making notes of what she wants to tackle next and, by doing that, it helps shift her mindset and concentrate on a task rather than being consumed by panic.”
Country walks and home workouts
Stacey recently gave fans a sneak peak of “Pickles Gym” – the new fitness room at her £1.2m Essex mansion.
And insiders say the star – who regularly enjoys country walks with her kids – has created the space in the hope it will encourage her to make more time to exercise, which she credits with staving off panic attacks.
The source says, “Stacey always feels much better when she’s worked out, and her own gym means she’ll be able to devote more time to her fitness and overall mental wellbeing. Her goal is to start exercising every morning, which she hopes will take the edge off her anxiety.”