She candidly confessed last week that she and husband Joe Swash are sleeping in separate beds – just two years after tying the knot.
Discussing how having three kids in just four years – Rex, five, Rose, two, and Belle, 16 months – has affected their intimacy, Stacey Solomon, 34, quipped to her husband, “We used to sleep in a bed together, do you remember that?”
The conversation – during their appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox – was sparked after watching a couple share a kiss in Channel 4 series The Nevermets. Joe, 42, said to his wife, “We used to have pillow talk, didn’t we?” To which she laughed and replied, “It’s what happens, innit babe?”
And insiders say that while the mum-of-five – who also has sons Zachary, 16, and Leighton, 12, from previous relationships – might have joked about their new sleeping arrangements, she’s secretly concerned about the effect it might be having on their marriage.
The source says, “Having three young kids in such a short space of time has been incredible, but it’s understandably also put a strain on their relationship and that’s something Stacey worries about – especially when they’re just two years into their marriage.
“Right now, she’s worried they could start to feel more like room mates than lovers and if they don’t start making a conscious effort to carve out time for each other and find more of a balance, the spark could eventually fizzle out and they might never get it back.”
The former X Factor star hasn’t been shy about opening up about their sex life in the past. After a fan questioned if she had hand sanitiser by her bed for “sexy time” during an Instagram Q&A, the star joked, “How dirty do you think my husband is?!”
And back in 2018, the Loose Women panellist admitted she would “rather eat than have sex” amid fears her sex drive wasn’t high enough. During an appearance on Good Morning Britain later that year, she berated Joe – who told viewers he likes to blindfold his partner – for lying about their sex life.
And insiders say after frankly opening up about her fears to Joe – who also has a son from a previous relationship – during a heart-to-heart, the couple have vowed to make a conscious effort to reignite the spark.
The source says, “Stacey misses that intense physical connection they had when they first started dating in 2015 – admitting they couldn’t keep their hands off each other and would have sex almost daily.
“They both confessed how it’s not just about intimacy, but also about generally making time for each other and having that physical closeness which enhances their emotional connection. They’re both longing to get that back, including all the kisses and cuddles.
“They’ve agreed to not only sleep-train the kids to avoid them having to get into bed with them, but to also carve out weekly date nights – already scheduling some in to ensure these ideas don’t just get pushed to the wayside, which can easily happen in their busy lives.
“They’re also planning a romantic getaway for their upcoming second wedding anniversary on 24 July – with Stacey telling pals how she’s going to buy a load of new sexy underwear to surprise Joe with to spice things up and just have fun with each other again.
“They love the family they’ve created and are still crazy about each other, but they know that they need to find more of a balance and make time to connect. They’re hoping their new plan will help get things back on track.”