This is turning out to be a huge year for Joe Swash. Not only have he and fiancée Stacey Solomon moved into their dream home, aka Pickle Cottage, but they’re also counting down the days until they welcome their daughter – a baby sister for their son Rex, two, as well as Joe’s son Harry, 14, and Stacey’s boys, Zachary, 13, and Leighton, nine.
“We’re so lucky to have found our home. It’s beautiful, but there’s a lot of work that needs doing on it. We’ve got to try to get it ready for the baby as the baby’s coming soon,” Joe tells us during our exclusive photoshoot.
While their anticipated wedding day is currently postponed so that their little girl can be part of the celebration, the couple also have plenty of work projects to keep them occupied. And for Joe, 39, that includes stepping into the famous Celebrity MasterChef kitchen, as he tries to outcook a line-up of stars to be crowned champion – and earn some brownie points back at home.
“That’s the reason I wanted to do the show – so I could learn some skills and techniques to pass on to the family,” Joe admits.
Here, the cheeky chappy spills the beans on life at home with Loose Women panellist Stacey, 31, why he thinks they’re a younger version of Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, and how he’s hoping to follow in Bradley Walsh’s footsteps…
Hi Joe. Why did you want to do MasterChef?
It’s an iconic programme. I’ve done EastEnders, the jungle, Dancing On Ice and now MasterChef – it’s amazing. I didn’t think I’d get so much from it and enjoy it as much as I did.
How is your cooking?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 09, 2021 من OK! UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 09, 2021 من OK! UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered
'Christmas is a double whammy'
Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements
'I think we arrived right on time'
The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts
'No one knows who I am'
Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025
THE ROYAL WEEK
It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities