It’s all change at Pickle Cottage, as Stacey Solomon gets glammed up for her upcoming work projects – with an insider telling Closer that the star has dipped out of the race for a seat on the This Morning sofa.
By her own admission, Stacey, 33, spent the past few months barely finding the time to even wash her hair as she adjusted to life as a mum of five. But in recent weeks, she’s totally revamped her image. From strict workout routines to experimental new hairstyles, we’re told the TV personality is hoping to take her brand in a more glamorous direction.
Our insider reveals, “As ITV bosses scramble to save This Morning, they’ve been looking for squeaky-clean stars with a wholesome image and large fanbase already in place – and Stacey certainly fits the bill! They’ve been desperate to get her to consider taking the role.”
But while Stacey is happy to see her career reach new heights, she’s staying firmly on the side-lines when it comes to the role of Phillip Schofield’s replacement.
Our insider adds, “There was a real excitement and buzz around who’d be drafted in for This Morning – but for someone like Stacey, it’s just not that appealing. She’s not desperate for increased exposure, so she doesn’t see why she should put herself, or her family, in harm’s way by attaching her name to all this drama. Stacey doesn’t agree with anything that has gone on or the way it’s been handled. She just doesn’t need that sort of toxicity in her life.”
In recent weeks, it was reported that TV duo Holly Willoughby, 42, and Phillip Schofield, 61, were feuding behind the scenes – before Phillip stepped down from the show after more than 20 years, revealing that he’d been involved in an affair with a younger staff member.
And as ITV bosses urge Stacey to consider a permanent seat on the This Morning sofa, we’re told Stacey’s inner circle agree she should stay out of the high-profile scandal. Our insider shares, “Stacey’s pals feel like she’s as clean as a whistle when it comes to her reputation, and she doesn’t need to rock the boat by getting involved.”
Alongside listening to the warnings of her close friends, our insider shares that Stacey is also desperate to avoid any fallouts with her other TV ties.
“Stacey doesn’t want to burn any bridges – obviously ITV have been good to her in the years since she kickstarted her career on X Factor. Stacey also doesn’t want to upset her pals at Loose Women. There’s a really odd atmosphere in the ITV studios right now. The shocking news has made everyone stop and think – and not be so hasty with their decisions.”
Stacey has become one of TV’s most in-demand presenters over the years, hosting shows such as Loose Women and Sort Your Life Out, winning I’m A Celebrity! in 2010, before recently signing to Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine. Alongside her booming career, the busy presenter is mum to five children – son Zachary, 15, with ex-boyfriend Dean Cox, son Leighton, 11, with ex-fiancé Aaron Barnham, and Rex, four, Rose, one, and Belle, three months, with former EastEnders actor Joe Swash, 41.
And as Stacey focuses on her upcoming projects, our source says she is putting all her energy into her new direction.
We’re told, “Stacey is thrilled with all the offers rolling in, but she’s also been feeling a bit overwhelmed – which is why she’s giving herself a confidence-boosting Hollywood makeover to really spruce up her image.
She wants to step it up when it comes to her appearance in front of the cameras and have that distinction between her home life and work life.”
They add, “Sometimes Stacey is filled with self-doubt and has a freak out, which is exactly why she’s doing this makeover. She’s almost creating an alter-ego for when she’s being ‘Stacey the superstar’.”
