Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash face claims they’re ‘still not legally married’

Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are not legally married according to new reports, this is despite their lavish ceremony taking place at Pickle Cottage more than three years ago

Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are reportedly not legally married. The former X Factor contestant, 36, tied the knot with ex-EastEnders star Joe, 44, in a ceremony that was held in their Pickle Cottage home in 2022, but now reports claim that the none of it was legally binding.

Stacey and Joe are parents to Rex, six, Rose, four, and three-year-old Belle together, whilst Stacey has Zachary, 18, from a previous relationship and Joe has Harry, 18, with his ex-partner Emma Sophocleous

Citing their busy family life as a reason behind the lack of legal wedding, a source told The Sun: “They always intended to do the legal part, but with six kids and busy diaries just haven’t got round to it — life has got in the way.”

The source also claimed that fans of Stacey and Joe, who boast a combined following of eight million and document their family life through their reality show Stacey & Joe on the BBC, will be feel as if they have been “misled” by the news.

However, in a previous social media post, it’s clear the couple did not seek to deceive and admitted that they have not formally registered their marriage

After getting married at home in 2022, Stacey made clear in an Instagram Story, that they were not able to get legally married. Responding to a fans questions about home weddings, Stacey wrote: “To get married anywhere legally, the place has to have a ‘civil ceremony’ licence. One of the requirements for this licence is that the premises must be made ‘readily available’ for ceremonies. As this is our private family home and we need it to remain that way we couldn’t go for that option. So we are having a relaxed private blessing in front of our closest friends & family and a ceremony of our love to each other and we will register our marriage legally after.”

The claims come following increased interest in their relationship as Stacey has been pictured without her wedding ring multiple times, although she has also been pictured wearing it.

Stacey directly addressed the speculation during a recent TV appearance. During a conversation with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on This Morning, Stacey said: “There’s a new rumour each week.

“I’m terrible. I don’t read any of that stuff.” Looking down the barrel of the camera, Stacey said: “Have I not been wearing my ring? I probably took it off to go to the toilet or something, I don’t know!”

A few weeks ago in pictures obtained by The Mirror she was seen without her ring, although prior to those pictures being taken she shared a selfie to Instagram with the ring on.

On Mother’s Day, Stacey shared an image with her children with her ring missing, while Joe honoured her on his account with a smiling family picture. For Zach’s 18th birthday post, Stacey’s hand was out of view of the pictures

Joe and Stacey began dating in 2016, six years after they met on the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here spin off show. The couple have allowed cameras to document the ups and downs of family life for their BBC reality show, Stacey & Joe, which has run for two series.

In September, the pair admitted they ‘argue all the time.’ Joe has previously revealed that at times there has been a ‘feisty atmosphere’ between them.

The pair also admitted their relationship isn’t perfect. Last April Stacey confessed: “I think sometimes it’s really good and sometimes it’s really c**p ain’t it? I think sometimes, everyone’s looking for this perfect partner, when actually the perfect one is the one you want to kill half the time, and are in love with half the time.”

The Mirror contacted a representative of Stacey and Joe for comment.