Stacey Solomon, 35, breaks silence on fan reaction to divisive BBC series amid ‘regrets’ over Stacey and Joe backlash
Stacey Solomon has broken her silence on the reception her BBC reality series with husband Joe Swash has received following reports she “regretted” how she came across on-screen.
The TV presenter, 35, addressed the fanfare in an Instagram video posted yesterday evening ahead of the final episode of Stacey & Joe.
Solomon’s statement comes after reports suggested she was having “serious regrets” about opening up her family life to cameras following mixed reactions from viewers.
The couple invited film crews into their home, Pickle Cottage, to capture their day-to-day lives in what has been described as a “Kardashians-style” show.
In her Instagram message, Solomon ignored the negativity that has circulated online and instead expressed gratitude for the positive reception to the series.
“I just wanted to come on here quickly and say your messages and all of the things I get tagged in and all the comments and everything about the show have been so lovely. The feedback has been really amazing,” she said.
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The mother-of-five added: “I’ve enjoyed watching it back and then hearing from you and getting your feedback and stuff so I just wanted to say thank you, thanks for watching it.”
She concluded: “I’m so glad you enjoyed it that’s all we ever wanted was to make people smile.”
The series has received mixed reviews since its debut, with some viewers criticising the content for being in a primetime BBC slot at the expense of licence fee payers.
However, others praised its authenticity as Solomon and Swash gave fans an inside look to their lives like never before.
This mixed reaction allegedly left Solomon concerned about how she and her husband were being portrayed.
A source claimed to The Sun: “Stacey is regretting signing up to do the show. She’s not used to the backlash they are getting as everything she touches normally turns to gold.”
The friend is said to have told the publication: “She feels like she is coming across as bossy. He can’t manage anything without her, so she is forced to be the ‘grown up’. It’s caused friction.”
One episode highlighted these tensions when Solomon was left devastated after Swash missed an important meeting.
Despite her pleas not to let her down, the former EastEnders star arrived five hours late after going fishing with friends. This left Solomon juggling childcare whilst trying to launch her own perfume.
In Tuesday’s episode, viewers saw the couple attend a therapy session at the Henry Centre in Westcliff Essex, where tensions surfaced.
During the session, Swash revealed he feels like a “problem” in Solomon’s “perfect” life due to his ADHD.
“All that I’m hearing is that I’m this huge problem in Stacey’s perfect life. That’s all I’m hearing. I don’t hear no positive stuff about me as a person,” he told the counsellor.
Solomon responded: “I would say this is our biggest issue in our whole relationship. Is that I cannot say anything without you taking it so personally, as an attack on you as a whole person.”
Speaking ahead of the show, the couple had emphasised their commitment to showing the reality of their relationship rather than a perfect image.
“So many people represent their lives as being so perfect on Instagram. It’s our responsibility to show the real – the highs and the lows,” said Swash.
Solomon agreed: “What you see is what you get. What we’ve learnt about each other is that we’re not a perfect couple.”
The pair also revealed that watching their “bickering” back has helped them understand each other better, claiming the experience has been more effective than couples’ therapy.
Despite the reports of regret, the BBC has given the green light for another series of Stacey and Joe.
Both Solomon and Swash described the news as “exciting” as they looked ahead to filming the new series.