‘I looked about six!’ Stacey Solomon says she felt ‘ashamed’ when she became pregnant at 17

Stacey Solomon recalled feeling ‘ashamed’ when she became pregnant at the age of 17 with her first child, Zachary, and admitted that she looked six-years-old at the time.

The Loose Women panellist, 31, remembered the judgmental looks she would receive from others as an expecting teenager, due to her youthful appearance.

She also declared her love for her three children on the ITV programme on Monday, but confessed she ‘doesn’t love being pregnant’.  

Receiving ‘looks’: Stacey Solomon recalled feeling ‘ashamed’ when she became pregnant at the age of 17 with her first child, Zachary, and said that she looked six-years-old at the time 

Stacey said: ‘I adore my children, I loved giving birth and having babies, I would love to do it again. 

‘I don’t love being pregnant and I really hate saying that, it’s not because I’m ungrateful. I think about all those people who would give anything to be pregnant. 

‘It feels like something has taken over my body, I don’t have control any more and everyone is looking at me. The teenage mum looks were like…’ Stacey said as she gave a concerned expression. 

She added: ‘I just remember feeling so ashamed, I know that sounds awful but when I was pregnant with Zach, all I  felt the whole way through was shame. I looked like a baby as well, I looked about six! 

Raised eyebrows: The Loose Women panellist, 31, remembered the judgmental looks she would receive from others as an expecting teenager, due to her youthful appearance

Raised eyebrows: The Loose Women panellist, 31, remembered the judgmental looks she would receive from others as an expecting teenager, due to her youthful appearance

‘I think people just looked and were like, “ugh why is she pregnant?” Maybe it’s a bit of a trauma I just haven’t addressed.’

In a 2019 episode of Loose Women, the mother-of-three revealed her parents were ‘disappointed’ when they discovered she was expecting 

She said at the time: ‘I remember being in a cafe and sitting with my dad and my step-mum and I was literally gagging. I didn’t think anything of it, I just thought someone must have had extra strong onions somewhere.

‘When we got home that night my step-mum took me upstairs and handed me a pregnancy test. The thought that my parents knew I’d had sex made me die!’

Honest: She also declared her love for her three children on the ITV programme on Monday, but confessed she 'doesn't love being pregnant'

Honest: She also declared her love for her three children on the ITV programme on Monday, but confessed she ‘doesn’t love being pregnant’ 

She confessed that she visited an abortion clinic after she conceived her first child, but clarified her parents never pressured her to make a decision.   

Stacey reflected: ‘I always remember my parents wouldn’t give me any input whatsoever.

‘Even though they were really upset with me, and hurt and disappointed, they never told me whether I should go ahead and have the baby or not have the baby.

‘Which at the time was absolute turmoil because all I wanted was for my mum and dad to tell me what to do.’

She concluded: ‘I just felt like I couldn’t make such a big decision on my own, I really needed them. But looking back, in hindsight, it was the best thing they could have ever done because I made that decision on my own and I took responsibility for it.’

Stacey is now the mother to sons Zachary, 12 and Leighton, eight, from previous relationships as well as 20-month-old son, Rex, who she shares with her fiancé Joe Swash.

On Christmas eve, she announced her engagement to her long-term partner, 38, in a heartwarming Instagram post.  

The Loose Women star showed off her dazzling ring as she gushed: ‘To the moon and back bub. I have no words.’ 

Shocked: In a 2019 installment of Loose Women, the mother-of-three revealed her parents were 'disappointed' when they discovered she was pregnant as a teenager

Shocked: In a 2019 installment of Loose Women, the mother-of-three revealed her parents were ‘disappointed’ when they discovered she was pregnant as a teenager 

Treating fans to a glimpse of the actor’s romantic proposal, the former X Factor star revealed Joe popped the question during a walk in the woods with their children.   

The TV star initially apologised to fans for not updating her social media platform as she wrote: ‘Sorry for the radio silence… I had everything planned ready to go. I knew exactly what I was doing… And then…’ (sic).

Mother-of-three Stacey went on to explain how she embarked on her regular morning stroll and said: ‘Today we went for a walk in the woods… Like we always do.’ (sic)  

Blended family: Stacey is the mother to sons Zachary, 12 and Leighton, eight, from previous relationships and 20-month-old son Rex, who she shares with her fiancé Joe Swash (pictured in 2019)

Blended family: Stacey is the mother to sons Zachary, 12 and Leighton, eight, from previous relationships and 20-month-old son Rex, who she shares with her fiancé Joe Swash (pictured in 2019) 

The media personality added that the family started to go on walks with their kids when they first moved in with each other two years ago, and credited their outings as ‘some of the best memories of her life’.

Moments later, the singer confessed she was left ‘blubbering’ as she recalled the moment she stumbled across a stunning floral arrangement of white roses.   

Detailing when they finally decided to take their relationship to the next level, the Dagenham native shared: ‘He asked me to marry him and after crying for what felt like a very long time… I said yes.’

In an image shared to both her Instagram Story and main feed, the Celebrity Juice star held back tears as she posed alongside the elaborate display.

Festive surprise! On Christmas eve, she announced her engagement to her long-term partner, 38, in a heartwarming Instagram post

Festive surprise! On Christmas eve, she announced her engagement to her long-term partner, 38, in a heartwarming Instagram post

The newly-engaged couple reside in Essex with their children, while Joe’s son Harry, 13, lives with his mother Emma Sophocleous. Stacey co-parents Zachary with her former partner Dean Cox and Leighton with ex-fiancé Aaron Barham.   

The loved-up pair met on the set for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! when the artist was crowned Queen of the Jungle and the former EastEnders star hosted spin-off series Extra Camp in 2010, a year after he took home the title.

The duo confirmed their relationship in January 2016, with the auburn-haired beauty stating at the time: ‘It’s going really well… we’re having fun, spending time together and getting to know each other.’

They announced they were expecting their first child together in February 2019, and welcomed baby Rex three months later. 

Early beginnings: Stacey and Joe met on the set for I¿m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! when the artist was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2010 (pictured)

Early beginnings: Stacey and Joe met on the set for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! when the artist was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2010 (pictured)

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