Stacey Solomon has stepped back from Loose Women and other high profile commitments, but the former X Factor star may have a very good reason for doing so

A source has claimed that Stacey and Joe could be considering baby number six(Image: Instagram)

Stacey Solomon has been gradually withdrawing from various high-profile commitments in recent months, sparking speculation about her future plans. The beloved star has been noticeably absent from Loose Women since announcing a hiatus from the ITV chat show last December – making just one appearance since. Furthermore, Stacey was conspicuously missing from the 25th anniversary portrait of the ITV show, which celebrated its current stars.

The former X Factor contestant is also believed to have stepped back from her popular Channel 4 show Renovation Rescue and declared that she was leaving her role as brand ambassador for In The Style, a position she’s held since 2021, to concentrate on her family. And it’s possible that balancing her highly successful career with her bustling family life became too overwhelming, reports OK!.

Stacey and Joe may be considering another little one, claims a source(Image: Instagram/@staceysolomon)

They say Stacey is acutely aware of how fast her babies are growing up(Image: No credit)

No one can deny that Stacey’s house is a busy one. She shares Rex, five, Rose, three, and one year old Belle with former EastEnders actor Joe Swash, as well as Leighton, 12, and Zachary, 15, from previous relationships (Joe also has an 18 year old son, Henry, from a past relationship). Now, a source has claimed that devoted mum Stacey, the devoted mum, as she and Joe gear up to introduce their new reality show, Escape To Pickle Cottage – may have plans for expanding their brood.

“Despite all her success, Stacey says being a mum is the best thing that has happened to her and she loves having such a big family, even though it can be hard work,” they revealed. “Belle is turning two soon, and she hates the fact that she’s no longer a baby and she is starting to get broody again. Both her and Joe would love baby number six at some point.”

Stacey has previously, albeit jokingly at times, confessed to feeling broody – and with the family set to open their doors to a TV crew, it seems like an ideal moment for another addition to the clan. In January, the 34 year old caused a stir when she posted a heartwarming clip of her three year old son Rex helping little Belle take her first steps, captioned with ‘Why am I broody?’

Stacey has noticeably stepped back from several roles – including as a popular panelist on Loose Women(Image: ITV)

Back in May, the celeb shared her ultimate goal to leave television behind to be with her five kids, stating she only wants work that allows her to stay at home. And the insider reveals that with her eldest, Zach, hitting 16, she’s acutely conscious of the fleeting nature of time. “She is only taking on things that work for her as a mum now. Zach is now doing an apprenticeship – so she knows how quickly time goes and she just wants to be with her children as much as she can while they’re little.”

They suggest that a new baby would be a seamless addition to her upcoming reality show. “She could continue to film while pregnant and then the new baby would fit right in with the show and viewers would love it.” The source says Joe, whose mother was a foster carer, is keen on fostering, but Stacey feels she’s not ready for that step yet and believes they haven’t completed their own family. Friends of the duo are reportedly bracing for a significant announcement come 2025.

Stacey and Joe clearly adore kids (Image: Instagram)

Stacey is a doting mum, and with Belle almost turning two, a source claims she’s ‘broody’(Image: Instagram)

“Friends are already predicting that Stacey announces a new baby next year, and she would love another little girl so she has three of each – the girls would all be so close growing up”, they revealed. “She also loves seeing how great Joe is as a girl dad. It brings tears to her eyes when he plays fairies and dolls and princesses with them and she wants more of that.”

If Stacey and Joe, who have weathered the highs and lows of family life thus far, truly are contemplating welcoming another tot into their clan, it would be a delightful addition to a loving family – and would only enhance what is already set to be a thrilling peek behind the scenes of their lives at Pickle Cottage.