What started out as a heartfelt peek into Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash’s family life is starting to feel a bit too real for the couple—especially Stacey, who is reportedly having regrets about opening their doors to the cameras.
The show, which promised a raw and relatable look at life inside their Essex home, is facing criticism from viewers—and that’s hitting Stacey hard.
Inside “Stacey & Joe”: A Family Show That Was Meant to Keep It Real
The idea behind Stacey & Joe was simple: bring the cameras into Pickle Cottage, their cozy family home, and share the everyday chaos of juggling parenthood, marriage, and busy careers.
The series features Stacey, 35, and her husband Joe, 42, as they raise their blended family—Rex (5), Rose (3), and Belle (2), along with Stacey’s sons from previous relationships, Zachary (17) and Leighton (12).
The couple insisted from the get-go that they weren’t trying to glamorize their lives or pretend everything was perfect.
But now, according to insiders, Stacey is feeling uneasy about just how much of their personal life they’ve shared.
The Backlash Is Taking a Toll on Stacey
According to reports from The Sun, Stacey is beginning to question whether putting her private life out there was a good idea.
A source said she’s “regretting signing up” and struggling with the criticism because “everything she touches normally turns to gold.” This reaction is new territory for her.
One major point of discomfort? The way arguments between her and Joe are being portrayed.
Their different personalities—Stacey’s super-organized approach vs. Joe’s more relaxed (and ADHD-affected) style—are clashing on screen, and it’s painting a picture that Stacey reportedly finds hard to watch back.
Joe’s Time Management and Stacey’s Emotional Load Are Sparking Friction
In one particularly tough episode, Stacey is left in tears after Joe fails to show up for a crucial work meeting—despite her pleas for support.
Instead, he spends the day fishing with friends and shows up five hours late, leaving her to manage the kids and plan her perfume launch alone.
A friend told the paper that Stacey worries she’s coming off as overly bossy, saying, “He can’t manage anything without her, so she’s forced to be the grown-up.”
The emotional burden seems to be falling heavily on her shoulders.
The Couple Say Showing Their Arguments Was a Conscious Decision
Ahead of the show’s premiere, Stacey and Joe actually addressed this aspect directly.
They said it was important not to cut out their disagreements, unlike other polished portrayals of couple life.
Joe explained, “So many people present their lives as perfect on Instagram.
We felt a responsibility to show the real—because it’s not always a bed of roses.”
Stacey added, “What you see is what you get. We’ve never claimed to be a perfect couple.
Watching ourselves back has taught us so much—it’s actually been more useful than couples’ therapy.”
A Therapy Session Reveals Deeper Struggles Between Them
In Tuesday’s episode, viewers saw Stacey and Joe attend a therapy session at the Henry Centre in Westcliff, Essex.
During the session, Stacey opened up about how she feels overwhelmed and unsupported, even when Joe is trying his best.
She explained that while Joe does put in effort, he often focuses on the wrong things.
“You’re a great dad and an amazing person,” she told him, “but sometimes I don’t think you take into consideration all the fires I’ve got to put out.”
Joe, clearly affected, admitted he feels like a “problem” in Stacey’s “perfect” life.
He said he struggles to hear anything positive and feels attacked when she expresses her needs.
Stacey tried to reassure him, saying, “It’s about us working together to manage this situation.
I’m not here to change you—I’m here to support who we are.”
Viewers Are Divided, And the Internet Has Been Loud About It
The response online has been mixed—some are here for the drama and the relatability, while others are… less impressed.
Critics on social media were blunt, calling the show “trash” and a “colossal waste of public money.” One viewer tweeted, “No, no, and absolutely no,” while another asked, “Who signed this off?”
On the flip side, plenty of fans have fallen in love with the family and their cozy cottage life.
Some viewers gushed over how “real and heartwarming” the show is.
“Absolutely loved Stacey & Joe, our new Essex Kardashians!” one fan wrote.
Others said the show “makes them smile” and called Pickle Cottage “beautiful.”
What’s Next for Stacey and Joe?
It’s unclear whether the couple will continue with the show beyond this season or pull back from the spotlight.
But if there’s one thing they’ve shown, it’s that they’re not afraid to be honest—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Whether you’re cringing or cheering them on, Stacey & Joe is proving to be a raw, sometimes painful, but deeply human glimpse into modern family life.