BBC addresses Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash 'controversy' over new reality show

Wales Online

30-04-2025

BBC addresses Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash 'controversy' over new reality show
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash have been showing their reality on the BBC in Stacey and Joe, but the pair have now been accused of breaching the BBC's editorial guidelines
Stacey Solomon has been giving fans a glimpse into family life with her new BBC show - but has risked the wrath of tv bosses
(Image: Dave Benett, Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImagevia Getty Images )
Just four episodes into their new BBC reality series, Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash's actions have raised eyebrows.
The couple have been sharing intimate details of their life at Pickle Cottage with their five children on the show. But it's been suggested that their on-screen behaviour could potentially land them in trouble with BBC bosses.
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Their series, titled 'Stacey and Joe', has garnered a significant following, attracting over three million viewers per episode. The BBC describes the show as filled with "loads of love and laughs" and offering a glimpse into the "beautiful chaos of life at Pickle Cottage".
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However, reports suggest that the pair may be courting controversy with BBC chiefs due to apparent on-air promotion of their personal endorsement deals. As per the BBC editorial guidelines, "no on-air talent should promote products, goods, services or clothing they use on air".
This includes anything they have "agreed, or been contracted, to promote or in which they have financial interest". However, the duo has been seen discussing Stacey's homeware line and a haircare brand she's invested in, reports the Mirror.
Joe and Stacey have been under scrutiny
(Image: BBC/Optomen Television )
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In the inaugural episode, Stacey also mentions an unspecified clothing line while filming content for her Instagram. "I'm going to be trying on my last summer collection," she states.
"I have brand partnerships and design different things for those brands. Anything from homeware to clothing lines."
Joe is later shown preparing a dish for posting on his own Instagram, presumably connected to his Lidl range. He explains to the camera: "We have the social media team come round once a month and we'll just do all of the cooking content and then we'll drip feed it on my Instagram through the month."
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The programme also spotlights a scene where the Loose Women panellist is filmed hosting a celebration for her ASDA homeware line. The BBC has now responded to the allegations, having issued a statement to the Daily Mail.
The BBC has issued a statement in response to the allegations
(Image: BBC/Optomen Television )
A spokesperson for the corporation said: "Stacey and Joe is a reality series following the daily lives of the couple which includes their work. All commercial relationships featured are made clear to the audience and only included where editorially justified."
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The series, which is scheduled to span six episodes, does not appear to delve into Stacey's recent distressing news about their family dog, Teddy, who experienced a medical crisis. The event left the singer highly emotional as she communicated Teddy's predicament with her followers.
She disclosed to her audience earlier in the month her and her five children were "truly devastated" upon learning Teddy "might not ever fully recover".
On Good Friday, Stacey shared the unfortunate occurrence of Teddy losing mobility in his hind legs, causing distress for the household. She confessed that the pooch hadn't exhibited any prior discomfort before the unsettling episode.
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She continued to describe how their family dog had experienced a ruptured disc, before revealing that the vets had assessed the entirety of his spine as "not looking good at all," with all of the discs appearing "really worn".