Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash’s busy life is taking a toll on their relationship, with Joe struggling under the pressure

Joe Swash is struggling under the pressure, according to a source(Image: BBC)

Amid ever busier work schedules, a source has revealed to new magazine that the juggle between work and family life is taking its toll on Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash. The couple have vowed to take time out to remember why they’re so good for each other. Stacey and Joe have a blended family of six children and are sharing the ups and downs of life at Pickle Cottage – and their relationship – in their BBC reality show.

Alongside looking after their adorable brood and other work commitments, filming can be exhausting and is proving particularly tough on Joe, claims the source.

“Joe is under a lot of pressure. He’s a wonderful father and does so much. They’ve still got young children so it’s hard work, especially with most of them still demanding their parents’ attention,” the source explains. They also claim that Stacey’s other projects, including her hit BBC show Sort Your Life Out, which she has been filming across the country in recent weeks, has led to Joe stepping up more at home.

Stacey and Joe have a blended family of six children(Image: BBC)

Last week, the couple appeared as armchair critics on Celebrity Gogglebox – and raised eyebrows when Joe joked that he wanted to “get away” from his other half. “When the kids grow up, I’m going to the moon to get away from you. You’re off your head,” Joe said in a tongue- in-cheek comment, which left Stacey laughing. While the couple can see the humorous side of their disagreements on screen, the source says it’s not been a bed of roses for them behind closed doors. “The pressure is starting to show. They thought they could be The Waltons version of The Kardashians, but it’s such hard work,” they explained. The source continued, “There’s tension in the air and there is a bit of bickering. But it puts a strain on any relationship. You look at those on reality shows, such as the wives in The Real Housewives, with cameras in their houses 24/7, and a lot of their relationships crack under the pressure.“ Stacey, 35, and Joe, 43, who often share insights into their family life – the good, the bad and the funny – on their social media accounts, got together in 2016, after initially meeting on I’m A Celebrity in 2010. They married in 2022 in a beautiful ceremony in the grounds of their Essex home, dubbed Pickle Cottage by Stacey.

Stacey and Joe often share the ups and downs of their relationship

And it’s no wonder life at home can be hectic. The couple have three kids together – Rex, six, Rose, three, and Belle, two – while Stacey is also mum to Zachary, 17, and Leighton, 12, and Joe has 18-year-old son Harry with his ex Emma Sophocleous. They’ve not shied away from the difficulties of family life, with series one of their TV show documenting several tough moments between the couple. One episode showed Stacey devastated after Joe didn’t show up to look after the kids so she could have an important meeting. Her husband eventually arriving five hours late, to Stacey’s visible dismay. “Joe was supposed to come to this meeting, but he’s been delayed indefinitely it seems,” Stacey said to camera. Joe then arrived and apologised for being “20 minutes late” due to traffic, with a frustrated Stacey correcting him that he was actually several hours late. During the show, Joe was also seen opening up about his battles with ADHD as he was filmed meeting a psychiatrist to help him “get a grip” on his diagnosis. He admitted he wasn’t “in the best place”.

Stacey is doing her best to try and support Joe(Image: INSTAGRAM)

“I would love to know what I can actually do to support him because I try my hardest but I think sometimes I probably escalate the situation because I get frustrated,” admitted Stacey after talking to Joe about his appointment. She added, “I just want to be there to support Joe, whatever that means.” Alongside her TV work, Stacey recently announced that she’s launching her own perfume range and she has ongoing partnerships with brands including George at Asda and Abbott Lyon. She also co-owns hair and beauty range REHAB. Things don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon either, after it was confirmed earlier this year that Stacey and Joe’s show has been commissioned for a second season. And filming is thought to be underway already. But the source maintains that a break away from the cameras – however small– is just what Stacey and Joe need. And they’re aware that they need to focus on each other, given the frenetic nature of their lives at the minute. “They’re worried that if they don’t have a break from the cameras and the limelight, it could affect what makes their relationship special,” the source claims.

“They’re still very much in love and are really trying to focus on each other amid the silly bickering and moments of tension, and remember why they got together in the first place – and why they’re actually so perfect together. They have vowed to carve out some quality time this summer to do that.”