Stacey Solomon, 30, and Joe Swash, 37, enjoyed an idyllic trip to the Maldives recently with their four-month-old son Rex plus the Loose Women star’s two children from previous relationships, Zachary, 11, and Leighton, seven
During their sun-soaked holiday, Stacey uploaded a family picture of them posing on the beach in matching outfits.
The three boys donned very smart suits, while Stacey and Joe both went for a blue ensemble.
Their huge smiles and their dazzling clothes prompted many of her social media fans to speculate they had tied the knot in secret.
But when they arrived home, Stacey broke her silence on the rumours and stated they didn’t get married.
The X Factor finalist spoke about the hysteria in an interview in this week’s OK! Magazine where she admitted she “didn’t realise” everyone thought they had wed.
“I’d posted a picture then put my phone down,” she said. “I didn’t want my kids to see me on my phone the whole time and I didn’t want to miss anything.”
Stacey explained: “It’s only when we got back home that I started to reply to my messages and I realised everyone thought we’d got married. So I wanted to put the record straight.”
The TV favourite admitted she felt “terrible” that her and Joe didn’t actually tie the knot in the incredible surroundings.
She said: “I felt a but guilty. I felt bad that we didn’t get married – I don’t know why I felt terrible about it.
“I felt like I left people to believe we got married when we just went out for dinner!”
Stacey went on: “I love dressing up and it was a special dinner as it was the first time Joe had been there. If we were getting married I’d tell people anyway.
“I wouldn’t do it and let people know afterwards.”
The Loose Women panelist recently told Express.co.uk marriage isn’t a “necessity” for her and Joe, as they’re focusing on their children.
“I’ve always dreamed of the fairytale wedding but the more people say are you going to get married, the more I’m like, ‘Erm not right now’,” Stacey told Express.co.uk.
“We really want to focus on our children and work and giving them the best life and then maybe one day we will think about getting married, but it’s definitely not a necessity.”
The presenter said she wants to ensure their children are all settled before a wedding crosses them mind.
“We are both on the same page,” she said. “Before we spend money on the wedding, lets get our kids through school, lets make sure they’ve got a home and feel really supported.
“Then when they’re at an age when we can give them all that we possibly can, then maybe we can think about it then.”
“We just want to be good parents, that comes first,” she added.
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV from 12.30pm.
