With five children between them, Christmas in the Solomon-Swash household can be hectic, but Joe Swash tells Woman’s Own he wouldn’t have it any other way. ‘It can be really challenging sometimes, but times like Christmas you think, “I was made for having five kids,” it’s just so brilliant,’ the star, 40, admits as we catch up about his latest campaign with HelloFresh.
It’s been a busy year for Joe and Stacey, 33. Along with raising their children - Joe’s son Harry, 15, Stacey’s sons Zachary, 14, Leighton, 10, and their younger children Rex, three, and Rose, one - the pair got married this summer and have continued to transform their Essex home, dubbed Pickle Cottage. Here, Joe lets us into their Christmas plans, what the kids are hoping for this year and why he loves being the chef of the family.
Hi Joe, are you excited about Christmas?
I’m so excited. I’m like a big kid when it comes to Christmas. I love giving presents. I was on Amazon today looking at all the different Hot Wheels for Rex, he wants some dressing- up costumes too. Rose loves her dolly and her pram, so I’ll get her something like that. It will be the first time I’m buying little girls’ stuff!
Has having a girl made Christmas any different?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FAST & THRIFTY DINNERS
Filling family meals to save you time and money
ARE VIRAL FITNESS TRENDS WORTH THE HYPE?
Keen to know if the workouts she sees online can actually make her fitter, Rachel Tompkins, 44, gives them a try
GO OUT OF SEASON
While some European cities seem to go into hibernation over winter, others just get better in the colder months
MY LIFE IN MUSIC
Monica Cafferky, 55, reveals how certain tunes bring back special memories
THE DECISION THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
After trying diets without success, Breanne Concannon, 31, was left feeling hopeless
MY TOY ΒΟΥ KEEPS ME YOUNG
For Trish Hughes, 44, the thrills of being married to a man 20 years younger is worth all the judgement
'THAT'S NOT MY BABY'
Lying in the hospital bed, my husband Michael had tears of happiness in his eyes as he showed me a photo on his phone. 'Here she is,' he said proudly. 'This is our beautiful baby girl.'I stared at the photo and shook my head. 'No, that's not my baby,' I said. 'There must be a mistake.'It was August 2010 and I'd not long before had an emergency caesarean. I'd not had a chance to see Winnie when she arrived as she'd been whisked away for tests because she was nearly two months premature.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Hayley, 45, has her son to thank for crucial evidence
'I'D LOVE TO DO EASTENDERS'
Loose Women's Linda Robson on the daytime show, dating and her next career move
Beckhams INSIDE THEIR PROPERTY EMPIRE
We take a look at the power couple's posh pads
