Joe Swash reveals the two things he and wife Stacey Solomon can't go on holiday without

The Sun

14 hours ago

JOE Swash has revealed the two things he and Stacey Solomon can't go on holiday without, as the family gear up for their summer getaway.
The 43-year-old former EastEnders star and his X Factor contestant wife are planning to jet off to sunnier climates in the coming months - but haven't landed on a location yet.
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But no matter where they go, they'll end up packing two things as they always do - a crafts box to keep their young children entertained, and flotation devices to keep them safe in the water.
Joe said: "Stacey likes to travel with a craft box so the kids can stick out things together and do a bit of drawing.
"But we also like to do things with the younger ones, Belle and Rose.
Rex not so much now as he's a bit older and he can swim really well, but we make sure we get the armbands for swimming properly.
"You can go on holiday and then it's a nightmare if you can't get the right ones.
We always want to make sure they have the right swimming equipment so they're safe before we go, so we know that box is ticked."
Joe revealed the family are weighing up where to go – but that decision is out of his hands and will be down to the kids.
Joe said: 'We do like to go away with a lot of family as well so I'm sure there's going to be more than just us lot.
'We like to go to Turkey as that's where the kids love. We're not 100 per cent sure where it'll be, but there's going to be a lot of us.
'We are driven by what the kids love – wherever they want to go, we do.'
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He added: 'Our kids have never loved kids club, but they love water parks, swimming, playing sports, football and tennis.
'They've got huge amounts of energy to burn off and because we've got so many of them, there's never a dull moment.
"I always say to Stacey that we need a holiday after the holiday.'
One thing which never changes is the drenching one another with water when the sun is out.
And as summer approaches, Joe has teamed up with Jammie Dodgers, to unveil a limited-edition Super Soaker made in collaboration with Nerf, which has been created to inspire kids to get outside in the sun, and 100 are up being given away every day until 31 July.
'We're always trying to get the kids out into the garden and we're chucking water at each other so it's right up my street.
'I usually come out on top because I can carry the most water.'
Discussing his collaboration with the biscuit brand Joe said: 'Jammie Dodgers have been in my family for years - I grew up with them, they were something my mum used to buy and it's something our kids love having as well.'
He also revealed his and Stacey's plans to turn their Pickle Cottage to Animal Farm – by getting in goats, pigs and other farmyard animals.
The 43-year-old former EastEnders star and his wife have been busy with home and garden improvements to their Essex abode, with one of the latest additions including a beehive.
But not settling there, Joe opened the door for the possibility of more animals joining their growing family, which already includes dogs, ducks and fish.
'We had more chickens arrive the other day and I've heard rumours there might be rabbits on the way.
'There's always something new. I wouldn't be surprised if a goat popped up, or a pig. I feel like we're at that stage now.'
The first bits of honey were extracted from their beehive recently, and so far, none of the family has been stung – although their dog Peanut did get nipped.
'I think he might have got a bit too close the other day, but he won't be doing that again,' Joe said.
Joe and Stacey's interest in becoming more sustainable has spilled over into growing more fruit and vegetables and is something the whole family take part in.
Growing fruit and veg in the garden has provided the perfect learning experience for their young children Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, two, to learn about where food comes from.
Joe said: 'The question is what Stacey isn't growing, that would be easier to answer. She's really transformed the garden and really found a passion for it.'
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