IT’S rare for an X Factor star to still be around 16 years after losing what was once the biggest show on TV but Stacey Solomon played the long game – going on to become one of the busiest women in entertainment.
This year in particular has been huge for Stacey – having launched her own reality show and landing a spot judging on BGT – but insiders tell us the 36-year-old is struggling behind the scenes as she wades against the vicious turning tide.
The Sun has been told that mum-of-five Stacey is in panic mode as the negativity increases, desperate to get people back on side.
A source revealed: “The bottom line is Stacey is no longer relatable.
“People think she flaunts her wealth and moans all the time – now Stacey’s being advised to rein it in and shut her mouth or risk ruining everything she’s worked so hard for.
“The plan is for Stacey to go back to basics and remember who her audience is. No more bragging about expensive holidays and keeping in mind not everybody is in her position”
Stace cashed in on her relatable ‘ditzy’ personality and – instead of chasing a record deal – turned her attention to social media and the fast cash that comes with being an influencer.
A Loose Women gig ensured she was always in the headlines while online posts sharing her tips and tricks for keeping a house going soon turned into something much more lucrative, releasing books and launching prime time BBC show Sort Your Life Out.
She also signed with the BBC for the fly-on-the-wall series Stacey & Joe, which gave viewers a regularly uncomfortable insight into the ups-and-downs of her marriage to Joe Swash.
It has all helped determined Stacey, 36, build up an estimated net worth of £7.3million and live a comfortable life in a £1.3million Essex mansion she calls Pickle Cottage with Joe and her children.
But nobody likes a show-off and Stacey’s girl-next-door mask has been slowly slipping for some time now, with fans turning on her for “flaunting her wealth”.
Earlier this year she was branded “smug” after bragging about her latest family holiday to Turkey, which set her back a staggering £30,000 a WEEK.
Not exactly the kind of holiday that most of Stacey’s followers – who ironically helped pay for the OTT break – can aspire to.
And even Stacey’s crafting is becoming increasingly out of budget for the average person.
Stacey shares Rex, six, Rose, four, and two-year-old Belle with Joe, 43.
She is also mum to Zachary, 17, and Leighton, 13, from previous relationships.
Creative Stacey left fans’ noses out of joint when she showed off homemade decorations for Belle’s birthday, revealing an incredible display of pink and red roses.
Someone wrote: “Looks amazing….effective and dreamy..however I think the cost of flowers would be quite high for a lot of people… x.”
And another added: “Very expensive for the lay folk x.”
In another move which drew criticism, viewers of on Stacey & Joe were quick to notice her enthusiasm for plugging her private side-hustles – including fashion, homeware and perfume brands.
The repeated appearances of Stacey’s products, some seemingly laid out for the cameras, drew accusations that the show was breaching strict BBC rules against ‘talent’ promoting products on-screen.
PANIC MODE
Stacey is someone who’s undoubtedly used to a bit of backlash here and there – a thick skin is required to survive in her industry.
In May the ‘loveable’ and ‘goofy’ Stacey bared her teeth when she had an almighty diva tantrum over not winning a Bafta.
Sort Your Life Out was nominated in the Entertainment category but lost out to Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour.
Stacey was furious – and didn’t hold back when she took to Instagram to share her thoughts.
She said: “We didn’t win a Bafta. And I know I’m supposed to take it gracefully like a champ but, I’ll be honest, I’m devastated!
“I’m not handling it very well, I’m not taking it very gracefully – I’m devastated! I’m devastated for our whole team, like I’m so gutted for our team.”
And just months later she launched a blistering attack on the National Television Awards when Sort Your Life Out and her fly-on-the-wall Stacey & Joe were nominated in the same category.
She told Magic Radio: “They’ve put Sort Your Life Out and Stacey & Joe in the same blummin’ category for some reason – we’re up against each other which is absolutely ludicrous.”
Our insider said: “Stacey’s been made aware the public aren’t fans of whinging – the Baftas meltdown was embarrassing and she came off as entitled.
“And the only thing she should’ve been was grateful when both of her shows were given nods at the NTAs.”
CAUSING TENSION
Stacey and ex-EastEnders star Joe tied the knot at Pickle Cottage in 2022 and the couple don’t shy away from airing their dirty laundry on their reality show.
One scene on the most recent series showed them clashing after Joe allowed their kids to eat dinner on the sofa while Stacey was working away.
During a tense phone call, a furious Joe branded his wife “out of order” before hanging up on her.
Another episode saw Joe struggling with the chaotic school run while Stacey was on a luxury trip to Lake Como, Italy for a photoshoot.
He didn’t hold back, confessing: “Stacey’s like the permanent teacher and I’m the substitute teacher that the kids just take advantage of.”
We’re told something else bubbling away is Stacey – who has six million Instagram followers to Joe’s two million – often left feeling like the backlash from the public is mainly aimed at her.
A source said: “Things between her and Joe are tense at times because of the sudden unrelenting backlash.
“Stacey tells Joe she takes the brunt of the negativity and that he should be more understanding of the pressure she’s under.
“They love each other and their marriage is totally solid but when she wants to be Stacey can be cutting.
“On more than a few occasions a row has resulted in her telling him she’s sick of being the breadwinner – which is a real kick in the teeth for Joe.”
The couple now have the chance to take a break and reset over Christmas – although they are letting the cameras in to film a third series of their reality show.
And fans should expect a much more down-to-earth approach on the family show, with Stacey desperate to be seen as a relatable, hard-working mum once again.