Stacey Solomon is said to be ‘apprehensive’ about her new reality show, as she enforces ‘ground rules’ for filming with her six children, who are all expected to appear

Telly favourite Stacey Solomon is all set to expose her private life in unprecedented detail as she and her household gear up to star in a brand new real-life show that’s giving off some serious Kardashian vibes. With the cameras getting ready to roll at Pickle Cottage, it looks like this new BBC program titled Escape to Pickle Cottage could take the 35-year-old presenter and her family – including hubby Joe Swash, sons Zach, 16, Harry, 16, Leighton, 12, Rex, five, daughters Rose, two, and Belle, 20 months – on quite the tumultuous ride.

A source told OK!: “Although Stacey is very excited about the reality show with her family, she’s also quite apprehensive and nervous about it as she’ll really be putting herself out there. Yes, she shares a lot of her family and home life on Instagram but that is just little snippets. Having your own tv show is completely different and, unlike on socials, there will be a big camera crew filming their every day life. They will have to learn to live with cameras in their house and following them around – at the moment it’s just her or Joe filming on their phones.”

Stacey and Joe have reportedly signed up to film with their kids

With her family already familiar with the spotlight – Stacey often shares updates on their life, from celebrating big birthdays to holiday escapades with her 6 million followers – it seemed like a match made in heaven.

Yet, as filming kicked off with a family trip to Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent, captured by a camera crew, Stacey is said to be anxious about the “intrusive nature” of a TV show, particularly with her kids set to feature prominently. And it seems some fans echo these worries, voicing their unease online.

One person posted: “I am so against monetising children who cannot consent to being filmed and whose young years are put out there for public consumption. their younger selves will be in the public domain forever, have the parents thought this through? “. Another shared: “It’s surprising how many people don’t understand the importance of protecting the children from the media.”

However, some other fans have leapt to her defence amid the criticism, with one saying: “She is just natural and is a good mother looking after her children,” while another hailed the programme as featuring: “two loving parents, nice siblings and extended family, lovely home and experiences.”

Stacey shares a lot of her life online, especially her pride over her children ( 
Image:
INSTAGRAM)

The source said the latest TV project will be “a lot more intrusive”, and Stacey has concerns about the impact it might on their family, especially their kids’ privacy. “Stacey is used to the odd bit of criticism on her Instagram but the comments are normally positive, so it’s quite a shock to see people slating her choice to do this TV show,” they said. “It really hurts when people say she’s cashing in on her kids and risking their safety by filming them. Every job she takes on is for them and she has weighed everything up.

“She’s never hidden them, and both her and Joe have been in the public eye for a long time so she feels they can protect the children from the pitfalls of fame as they grow up. She knows more people will recognise the children once they’re on TV but Stacey is prepared for that. She has set some ground rules with the crew to help protect the kids, like not filming them in their school uniform, or on play dates. Other reality TV stars have since said that filming has been hard on their children – and Stacey is adamant that won’t happen to them.”

In May, Stacey said her goal was to spend more time with her kids ( 
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The star, who shot to fame on X Factor in 2009, confessed in May that her ultimate goal was to leave television behind to cherish time with her little ones. Stacey pointed out her preference for home-based projects, but it seems there are still ambitions afoot, as she’s all about setting clear limits.

The source added: “She sees it as a huge opportunity for them all, it will make her brand even bigger as a tv show opens up a whole new audience and it will help financial secure the kids’ future and that’s what she does it all for. The older kids won’t be in it as much as they’re not as keen and Stacey respects that.

“But this show will make her into an even bigger star and will open up so many more opportunities and she says the pros outweigh the cons. Plus the younger kids love being in front of the cameras and she can’t wait to show them off.”