EastEnders star Joe Swash and Loose Women panellist Stacey Solomon have been in a relationship since the mid-2010s – but they admit they have enjoyed lows as well as highs over the years

Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash have opened up about their near decade long relationship(Image: apolloniallewellyn/Instagram )

Joe Swash has admitted he has made “mistakes” over the course of his nine year romance with Stacey Solomon. The 43-year-old EastEnders star has been in a relationship with 35-year-old Loose Women star Stacey since 2016.

The couple tied-the-knot in 2022 and they have welcomed three children together; son Rex, daughter Rose, and youngest daughter Belle. Together the couple raise Joe’s son, Harry, from a previous relationship – as well as Stacey’s older sons Zachary and Leighton from two of her prior romances.

Fans of Joe and Stacey were alarmed last year when they were spotted arguing in the street. Now the couple have opened up about the highs and lows of their romance via a new reality show.

The couple welcomed cameras into their home, Pickle Cottage, for their show, titled Stacey & Joe. Promoting the show via an interview with The Sunday Times, the couple insisted they weren’t trying to portray a fake, glamorised marriage via the series.

Opening up to the weekend paper, Joe said: “We haven’t got all the answers. Our kids throw tantrums just the same as everybody else’s. We argue, but it’s generally for the right reasons — because we’re trying to sort out what’s best for the kids and our family.”

Stacey and Joe have welcomed cameras into their lives for a reality TV show(Image: Stacey Solomon/Instagram)

Going into detail about the show, he then confessed: “We aren’t trying to portray a glamorous lifestyle. Bringing up a family these days isn’t easy and we all make mistakes. But you admit your mistake, learn from it and move on.”

Praising his wife, Joe said: “Without her, the house would fall apart.” And he then said: “I know that being with me can’t be easy. I was on my own for years and lived like a student, eating takeaways, only doing the washing up when I ran out of plates. Stacey has organised me and the kids and the whole thing.”

Joe’s comments come months after he and Stacey rowed in the streets. The incident took place in November last year – with reports suggesting Stacey was reduced to tears following the argument.

The Sun has reported that the couple will discuss the incident in upcoming scenes from the new show – which is expected to air on Tuesday. It is suggested the duo argued after emotions came to the fore during a tense therapy session.

Stacey is said to have booked a session for her and Joe at the Henry Centre in Westcliff, Essex to help Joe after he was diagnosed with ADHD. They speak to counsellor Natalie Corbett, when Joe reportedly says: “All I am doing is trying to dedicate myself to my family and do everything I possibly can, every minute of the day.

“Then to sit here and listen to the fact that I am a huge problem — all I am hearing is that I am a huge problem in Stacey’s perfect life.”

Stacey then allegedly replied: “I would say this is our biggest issue in our whole relationship. I cannot say anything without you taking it so personally as an attack on you as a whole person.” The couple are then shown discussing what they thought of the therapy session in the car after the row.

It is suggested Joe wasn’t a fan of the session as he admits he “hated every second”. Despite this, Stacey suggests they give it another go as she thinks they can be “so happy” together. She then says that she doesn’t think the issues in their relationship come down to Joe’s ADHD and the couple decide to continue with the sessions and raise a toast to a “lifetime of counselling”.

Stacey & Joe airs on BBC One on Tuesday’s at 8pm.