Politics
How Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash battled jealousy and sex droughts before FINALLY bagging the house of their dreams
STACEY Solomon has found her fairytale ending, having become engaged to partner Joe Swash and them buying their dream family home together.
The lovebirds have certainly come a long way since they met 11 years ago, from welcoming their first child together to being open about “sex droughts”.
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash share their daily lives together on Instagram – and they are one of our favourite couples[/caption]
Here, Fabulous takes a look back at their love story…
Jungle romance
Former X Factor star Stacey and ex-EastEnders actor Joe started dating in January 2016 after originally meeting on I’m A Celebrity in 2010.
The pair became good friends after they met, and Joe later admitted he’d fancied Stacey back then but it wasn’t the right time.
The pair first sparked dating rumours in January 2016 when Stacey posted a snap of herself on a spa weekend stating that she felt like a “new woman”. Then just days later she was spotted arm-in-arm with Joe in Essex.
The pair met through their I’m a Celebrity ties, after they both appeared on separate series[/caption]
That same month, Stacey made it official on Instagram – sharing a snap of her new boyfriend with some flowers.
Their first kiss
Comically, Joe revealed his first snog with Stacey was like “kissing a dead person”.
Appearing on Shopping With Keith Lemon, Joe told how the pair got close in Australia when Stacey was a guest on spin-off show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! NOW! which he presented.
Joe and Stacey have a playful relationship and often open up about dating life[/caption]
He said: “We spent loads of time together and before I knew it she was going home so I thought, I’ll make a move.”
Stacey added: “He opened the door and he just jumped on me. Keith, I didn’t know what to do so I just stood there like this.”
Joe then chimed: “It was like kissing a dead person! She didn’t move, no tongue action, it was all me. With my tongue I was trying to find her tongue. I was like, ‘what’s going on here’.”
Moving in together
The adorable couple moved in together during October 2018 after three years of dating.
This also meant Joe moving in with Stacey’s sons from previous relationships, Zachary and Leighton.
Stacey was quick to share a snap of their first family dinner in the pad after a long day moving.
Tucking into a takeaway on an array of mismatched objects, the foursome beamed with excitement in the photo – despite not having unpacked any furniture.
Baby arrival
The couple’s first child Rex arrived in 2019[/caption]
The pair welcomed baby boy Rex Toby Francis Swash, on May 23, 2019.
Taking to Instagram, Joe admitted he was in awe of his girlfriend and “witnessed the impossible” as Stacey gave birth.
He shared a photo of Stacey just after giving birth with her newborn nestled on her chest.
Stacey shows off her family home hacks to her millions of followers[/caption]
“This morning. A lot earlier than planned I watched the love of my life bring a new life into the world,” he wrote.
“We are overwhelmed, overjoyed and apprehensive of what’s to come. Mummy and baby are well and resting.
“We are so grateful for all of the love, support and positivity we’ve received over the last 8 months.
“I’m lost for words to describe how I’m feeling. So for now, I’m going to spend the next few days and the rest of my life falling more in love with these two humans.
“I didn’t think it possible but, today I witnessed the impossible. My partner, My love, my life, you are a super human. I am forever in awe. Joe X”
Sex drought
In a candid chat on Loose Women, Stacey opened up about her sex life when the panel discussed whether they could “survive” a sex-less relationship.
Stacey said: “I don’t think I’ve got the time and that sounds horrible but it’s not even a joke.
“I’ve got two children, nine and five, I’ve got a full-time job, family to look after and to take care of and I don’t think I could be with somebody who needed to have sex all the time.
“I don’t think I could survive a sex-full marriage.”
Stacey’s comments come after she previously said she’d rather EAT than have sex with Joe in a graphic chat on Loose Women;
The TV star said would rather have a hearty dinner than bed her man as she confessed her fears that her sex drive is not high enough.
Jealous moments
The down-to-earth couple are honest about their ups and downs[/caption]
Stacey admitted she had a blazing row with Joe as they watched a kinky sex show in Amsterdam.
The curious mum persuaded her TV star partner to take her to the erotic production but said it all ended in tears after Stacey didn’t like Joe looking at other women.
Stacey made the confession on Loose Women, with co-stars Nadia Sawalha, Andrea McLean and Linda Robson laughing uncontrollably.
Stacey said: “We went for a trip away to Amsterdam and part of me was curious about the sex shows.
“Cut a long story short, I went in with Joe and we ended up having a massive row.
“I was like, ‘This is exploitation! Are you enjoying this? Are you looking at her?’”
Woodland proposal
Joe popped the question in December 2020[/caption]
Joe created a floral woodland display as he proposed to Stacey[/caption]
Stacey said she cried with happiness for a long time after Joe proposed[/caption]
In December 2020, Stacey revealed her long-time boyfriend proposed with a huge diamond ring on a walk in the woods.
She posted a picture of her flashing the ring, overcome with emotion, as she lay back on a huge bunch of flowers.
Stacey explained how Joe popped the question while on a walk in the woods opposite their house with her two sons and their child Rex.
The star wrote: “He asked me to marry him and after crying for what felt like a very long time… I said yes” adding emojis of a heart and diamond ring.
She then added a personal message to Joe: “To the moon and back bub. I have no words 
.”
Dream home
Joe and Stacey have just bought their dream family home together[/caption]
This week, Stacey has been overcome with emotion as she shared photos and videos from her new £1.2million Essex house.
In an adorable shot, Stacey and Joe hugged outside the home, which they have named Pickle Cottage.
The engaged couple’s sweet baby son Rex crawled on the grass next to them, as Stacey’s sons Zachary and Leighton wrestled nearby.
The £1.2million pad is called Pickle Cottage, in a nod to Rex’s nickname[/caption]
The Tap To Tidy author captioned her photo with a gushing tribute to her family, writing: “
Home Sweet Home And so a new chapter begins 
We can not even describe how strange it feels that this is home. 
“Never in a million years did we ever think this would be. We feel so lucky and are so grateful to have found this hidden treasure closer to our family and further out.
“We can’t wait to fill it with love and give it our everything. To raise our family here. And to just start a fresh. I’m very emotional for some reason. It still hasn’t sunk in and doesn’t quite feel real.”
Most read in Fabulous
We shared how Stacey revealed modern makeover at new £1.2m Pickle Cottage with gaming room and fancy dining table.
And Stacey can’t hide her excitement as she shares look at ‘beautiful’ downstairs loo in new £1.2m home.
