Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash showcased the strength of their marriage on Sunday as the family joined thousands in north London for Arsenal's lively victory parade. The couple, along with their children, celebrated the Gunners' Premier League title win just hours after the team's heartbreaking loss in the Champions League final.
A Family Affair in Islington
Stacey, 36, and Joe, 44, brought their son Rex, seven, as well as Stacey's eldest sons Zachary, 18, and Leighton, 13, to watch the team buses pass by. The star revealed they found a 'safe' spot in front of a Space NK store and thanked the staff for their assistance on the crowded streets. Stacey shared several snapshots from the family day out on Instagram, including one of her cuddling Joe alongside her father, David.
The singer reflected on the sentimental moment, saying: 'Dad took me, my brother and my sister to the Arsenal parade 22 years ago and today we got to take our babies and be with Dad.'
Gratitude for Space NK
Sharing a photo of the family positioned outside Space NK, she wrote: 'HUGE SHOUT OUT to the girls at @spacenk in Islington because I knew I'd feel safe if we pitched up near a SpaceNK and they made us feel so welcome and safe all day. It was MANIC in Islington but it felt so calm here and the girls on the shop floor were SO lovely and helpful to EVERYONE. I would have been nervous being anywhere else.'
The choice of location also proved advantageous for Stacey, as she later told her followers she had purchased a candle from the shop.
Addressing Marriage Speculation
The family outing provided a happier contrast to recent speculation about Stacey and Joe's marriage. Last week, Stacey addressed reports that they had yet to formally register their marriage, which had raised eyebrows. Hours later, she was photographed wearing her engagement ring but no wedding band, prompting further questions. However, the star dismissed divorce rumours, insisting she still 'fancies the pants' off Joe, but also admitted there are times she 'couldn't stand him'.
Speaking on the Sort Your Life Out Unpacked podcast, she said: 'Who cares if the whole world is like: "Oh, they're on the brink of divorce"? Being in the public eye I think creates certain pressures, but not on our relationship because half the time what they're saying... If we know it's not true, who cares?' She added: 'Sometimes I fancy the pants off him and can't wait to come home to see him. Sometimes I'm like: "Get out of my stratosphere – stay away from me." I think we're just like any other couple.'
Family Life and Reality TV
The couple are parents to Rex, seven, Rose, four, and two-year-old Belle, along with Stacey's older sons Zachary, 18, and Leighton, 13, and Joe's son Harry, 18, from previous relationships. After news broke that they had not made their marriage legal, a source told Daily Mail: 'They have six kids. If you look back at when they actually got married, it was just like a whirlwind, baby after baby. They just haven't got round to it yet.'
This came after filming for their family reality TV show was paused due to tensions at home, which reportedly affected the shooting schedule. The Daily Mail revealed that crew were booked in December to start filming, but tensions at Pickle Cottage became increasingly difficult to manage behind the cameras. An insider revealed 'there have been problems between Stacey and Joe.' Filming later resumed, with Stacey spotted shooting scenes for Stacey & Joe at Scotts Tulip Farm in Brentwood, near her £1.2 million home. The BBC announced last month that season three has been greenlit and will continue to follow the couple's blended family.
