WORKING mum, Loose Women panellist and everyone’s favourite Dagenham girl Stacey Solomon will soon be on her way to the Cliffs Pavilion to join the rest of the celebrity cast in this year’s panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Stacey, who first found fame on the X Factor, may have only finished third in the TV singing competition behind Olly Murs and winner Joe McElderry, but her career really took off in 2010 when she was crowned the winner of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Since then, she’s become a popular face on panel and reality shows, with a regular gig presenting ITV2 spin-off show, I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp alongside her current partner, former EastEnders actor Joe Swash.
She’s also the mother of two sons, Zachary, nine, and Leighton, three.
We catch up with the 28 year old for a bit of a chit chat.

Can you please tell us a brief bit about your role in Jack and the Beanstalk?

I’m playing Mother Nature in the show, she’s a bit of a Fairy Godmother type who helps Jack, played by Lee Mead, get out of trouble so he can climb the beanstalk, get the girl and win loads of riches. She comes in now and again to help advance the plot and I get to sing some amazing musical numbers too. 

What are your co-stars like? 

I’m so excited to be working with them! This is my second panto and I can’t wait to get started on the show with Lee, Bobby and Robin. We all met at the panto launch and had such a laugh I can’t wait to meet the rest of the cast and crew and get my costume on. 

You need to be in good health to do all these shows. How do you look after your health and wellbeing?

I mainly rely on running around after my two boys; I play games with them to burn off calories. I’ll do an occasional exercise class, but luckily, I don’t gain weight easily. I eat healthily apart from indulging in the odd packet of crisps, nuts and sandwiches. I’m happy pretty much every day, and as I get older, I just get happier.

What does your romance with Joe Swash mean to you?

Everything, because it’s transformed my life. When we met in 2015, I’d given up on men, I thought I was done and I was quite happy to be alone with my sons. I think that’s probably the reason I found Joe - because I was really content and I wasn’t looking for someone to complete me. I’m really happy with him - at the moment I do think he is Mr Right.
He makes me feel secure, loves me unconditionally and sticks up for me even if I’m in the wrong. He’s even tolerant about my horrible habit of picking my nose. That sort of love makes you feel a bit invincible.

Would you like more children?

Definitely. I’m one of seven so I always imagined having a big family. The most attractive thing about Joe is that he’s an incredible father to his 10-year-old son. He’s really selfless and caring, and my boys adore him. But I’m aware I have two children from two relationships, and I read a lot of social studies about the impact on children of broken families. I think very seriously about the emotional effects [of having more children], so we don’t want to rush into having a child just yet.

What do your children think about their mum being in panto?

My kids are nine and three so they’re still at the age where they don’t get embarrassed by what I do so they get really involved in the panto. Once they’re done at school they’ll come to the theatre with me and get to know everyone and be part of the company too. They’re already helping me with my lines and shouting out all the ‘it’s behind you’s’ for me too.

A brave video you posted, celebrating your ‘real bikini body’ and its ‘imperfections’, went viral overnight on Instagram. Why did you decide to post it?

I felt a moral obligation. I don’t think it’s right for people to have a false image of what I look like based on photos that might have been taken after make-up sessions, or those that may have been enhanced. Too many celebrity pictures make women look ‘perfect’. It’s so damaging to other women’s self-esteem. These days, I’m really comfortable with the way I look and I think there are more important things to worry about than than my figure. My wobbly bits, muffin top, saggy boobs and stretch marks from pregnancies are part of me and I’m proud of them.

What’s really important to you in life?

Apart from my brilliant kids, my family and my partner, it’s about being independent. My dad made me and my siblings get weekend jobs as soon as we were old enough, so we learnt the value of working and managing money. I’ve worked in a fish and chip shop and as a saleswoman for double glazing. I never imagined being on X Factor or that I’d continue to have a career and be on Loose Women. Sitting with intelligent, funny women and talking about things I care about is literally my dream job. I’ve been so lucky.

How will you be spending Christmas day this year? 

I’ll be home with the kids and having a day trying to rest. I’ve got a few numbers to sing in the show so I’ll try and rest my voice as much as I can, but the hard part will be getting me to keep quiet. We’ll open presents, have lunch together, watch TV and play games. I can’t wait. 

What’s best, giving or receiving gifts? 

That’s a hard one. Obviously I love giving presents to my loved ones, but it’s also so lovely getting gifts from my kids as it really comes from the heart and that means everything to me. Unless they get me socks in which case I’ll change my mind! 

You’re a Dagenham girl so I’m assuming you’ve been to Southend before…? Will you be able to get out much and see the town in its Christmassy glory, and if so, is there anywhere you plan to visit?

Definitely, I know Southend really well so I’ll try and go out exploring my favourite places with the kids, and just try and stop me from doing my Christmas shopping in between shows! But there’s only one place everyone should be and that’s the Cliffs to see Jack and the Beanstalk, of course. 

  • Jack and the Beanstalk starring Lee Mead, Stacey Solomon, Bobby Davro and Robin Askwith, opens at the Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend, from Saturday December 16 - Sunday January 7. Tickets start at £20.50. Visit southendtheatres.org.uk for booking and more information or call the box office on 01702 351135.