Joe Swash reveals ‘disaster’ proposal to Stacey Solomon that fans didn’t see – as pair launch new BBC reality show

JOE Swash has revealed his proposal to Stacey Solomon in her favourite place almost ended in disaster.

The ex-EastEnders star got down on one knee on Christmas Eve five years ago.

Long-time boyfriend Joe, now 43, proposed with a huge diamond ring on a walk in the woods, a year after their son Rex was born.

Rex joined Joe and Stacey on the romantic walk in Stacey's “happy place”.

But it turns out they weren't the only three people lurking in the woods.

Unbeknownst to Stacey, Joe had organised a flower arrangement and enlisted the help of Stacey's dad Dave to capture their special moment on camera.

While Dave knew how to work a camera, he was terrible at hiding behind trees.

Joe explained on Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo‘s NewlyWeds podcast: “I was going into the forest, and these little kids were playing with the flowers.

“So as we're walking up. I've heard David (Stacey's dad) pop behind the tree and go to these two little kids, ‘leave the flowers alone!'

“And Stacey's gone, ‘that's me dad!' And I'm like, ‘oh my god'.”

When Stacey saw all the flowers in one spot, she thought it was a memorial.

“And then she's gone, ‘oh no, look, someone's died there and all,'” he added.

“And I'm (thinking), ‘that's where I'm going to propose to ya!'

“So I had to go, ‘come on let's go and see who's died.'

“Get her in positin, because Dave is behind the tree ready to take photos.

“So it completely went from this big romantic gesture, to, someone's dead, Dave's attacking two kids, she thinks her dad's having an affair in a forest!”

Stacey, 35, and Joe have been together since 2016 and got married in July 2022 at their home, Pickle Cottage.

The couple have allowed BBC cameras into their home in new reality showStacey & Joe, set to premiere on Tuesday April1.

The six-part series will be a major fly-on-the-wall reality series following the lives of the famous couple and their brood of kids.

Filmed during the summer and autumn of 2024, cameras followed the lives of Stacey and Joe, their five children, four ducks and two dogs. Joe also has a son, Harry, 17, from a previous relationship.

Although fans get an insight into their hectic lives on social media, the reality series will give fans exclusive behind the scenes access to the blended family.

Stacey and Joe will be seen raising their ‘pickles’, the name they've dubbed their children who include, Zach, Leighton, Rex, Rose and Belle who are aged between 16.

Some of the big moments documented in the series include Zach waiting nervously for his GCSE results and Stacey winning big at the National Television Awards.

The family are also filmed taking a needed summer holiday to Turkey and preparing for a festive Christmas at their home which they've dubbed, Pickle Cottage.

Stacey said: “2024 was the year me and Joe pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones. We took on different projects and tried new things. It’s been so amazing and nerve-wracking all at the same time.

“And we just want to keep doing that in 2025, starting with Stacey & Joe.”

The warts and all series will follow the highs and the lows.

Back in November, the couple were spotted by fans having what looked likea row in the street that left Stacey in tears.