Stacey Solomon’s life before fame – working in fish and chip shop and secret half-siblings

, the bubbly pop sensation turned TV star, has certainly cemented her place in British showbiz.

She’s journeyed from her days to becoming a television staple, winning over the nation on back in 2010, charming viewers as a Loose Women favourite, and even presenting the ‘s lifestyle gem, Sort Your Life Out.

At the age of 32, Stacey is showing no signs of slowing down. Her backstory is a far cry from the glitz of celebrity life.

Before her foray into fame via ITV’s hit singing contest, Stacey’s roots were firmly planted in Essex life. Originating from Dagenham, she was sandwiched as the middle child among her siblings.

The domestic shakeup at nine years old, resulting from her parents David and Fiona’s divorce, led to a new family dynamic with her dad remarrying and welcoming her half-brother Josh, not to mention gaining two step-brothers and a step-sister, reports .

Raised in a Jewish home yet attending a Christian primary school, Stacey embodies a blend of cultural influences. During a heartfelt chat with Heart, she opened up about her upbringing: “My family practised our faith in a relaxed manner.”

She continued, discussing her parent’s interfaith marriage: “My mum Fiona was brought up a Christian; her dad was a vicar. But she fell in love with my dad David and converted to Judaism to be with him.”

Her reflections on faith touched upon its impact on her personal philosophy: “Growing up, the influence Judaism had on me was an overwhelming understanding to love those around you, care for others as if they are part of your family and strive to be the best individual you can be.”

Stacey’s formative years, as she tells it, were marked by inclusivity and positivity: “For the majority of my life, my experiences have been positive. I went to a Christian primary school where I felt included and no different to my peers.”

She also reminisced about her modest roots before gaining fame on X Factor. She attended Kantor King Solomon High School and pursued musical theatre in college while working as a barmaid at a country club.

Prior to becoming a household name, she even served up fish and chips at the Hornchurch eatery Oh My Cod.

Stacey also revealed on Loose Women that X Factor contestants “don’t make any money” during the show, leading her back to the chippy part-time to support her son, Zachary, born just a year before her stint on the competition.

Detailing her background, Stacey noted: “At the time I was still at college and I was working at a fish and chip shop called Oh My Cod, they did an amazing battered sausage and I loved working there.”

She further added, “After the audition, I had to go back and work because you didn’t make any money being on The X Factor and I had to live.”

Her dreams started turning into reality with The X Factor, as she remarked: “When you grow up, you daydream about things and when things like The X Factor happens, you start believing it’s possible.”

At college, while aiming for a national diploma in musical theatre and nurturing ambitions for university, teaching, or performing, Stacey discovered her pregnancy with her first child, Zachary. Post-X Factor success in 2009, where she finished third behind Olly Murs and Joe McElderry, she welcomed her second son, Leighton, in 2012.

Following this, the celebrity went on to clinch victory in her season of and presented the spin-off show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Extra Camp, where she met her future fiance, actor Joe Swash.

Stacey and Joe are parents to two children, Rex, aged two, and their newest addition, a daughter named Rose, born last year. Joe, a former actor, also has a 14 year old son, Harry, from his previous relationship with Emma Sophocleous.

The couple then relocated to an impressive new residence in Essex, affectionately known as Pickle Cottage, which also served as the venue for their wedding in June 2022.