Hollyoaks fans shocked to see Stacey Solomon's sons make appearance
Zachary and Leighton are soap stars!
It looks Leighton and Zachary Solomon could be following in their step-dad Joe Swash's footsteps, as Stacey Solomon's eldest sons have made a surprise appearance in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
Fans of the soap were in for a surprise during the episode on Tuesday 21st January, when 16-year-old Zachary appeared as a delivery boy at local shop Price Slice, closely followed by his 12-year-old brother Leighton, who had the role of a paper boy.
The pair didn't have speaking roles, but they did appear alongside Hollyoaks legend Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes McQueen), as well as cast members Charlie Wernham (Robbie Roscoe), Charlie Clapham (Freddie Roscoe), and Dawn Hope (Pearl Anderson).
The official Hollyoaks social media account posted the clip, alongside a number of backstage photos of the boys on set.
Fans were quick to comment with many expressing their shock at seeing Zachary and Leighton on the show.
One wrote: 'I wasn’t expecting Stacey Solomon’s kids on here', with another writing: '@staceysolomon Your big boys, you must be proud. Was this just a cameo?'. (sic) Another added: 'Stacey Solomons eldest boy omg 👏👏'. (sic)
Stacey is yet to publicly comment on her son's appearance, and it's not yet known if the pair will feature in more full times roles.
One place we will be seeing more of the Solomon-Swash family is on their brand new fly-on-the-wall reality show, called Stacey & Joe.
After months of rumours about the new show, mum-of-five Stacey confirmed the news herself at the beginning of the year, writing: 'A new year. A very new adventure. 🥹 Coming Spring 2025 🥲 We’ve been so nervous & excited to share this. Here is us. All of us. In 2024 we opened up our home & made a series about our lives, family, work & everything in between. It was a huge leap into the unknown & it’s been an absolute whirlwind making it. But last year as a family we decided to say yes to more & do things we’d never done'. (sic)
Due out later this year, the new show will air on BBC and see Stacey and Joe opening the doors of their home, Pickle Cottage.
Check out Stacey and Joe's relationship timeline below:
2010: Stacey wins I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
When Stacey won I'm A Celeb in 2010, she was already in a relationship - but it's where she first met Joe, who was presenting the spin-off show, named I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW! at the time. He'd previously won the show in 2008, and Stacey was a guest on the show the following year. The pair became good friends, and Joe later admitted he'd fancied Stacey back then, but it wasn't the right time!
January 2016: Stacey and Joe are spotted together
The pair first sparked dating rumours when Stacey shared a snap of herself on a spa weekend saying that she felt like a 'new woman', and just days later was spotted arm-in-arm with Joe in Essex.
January 2016: Stacey and Joe go Instagram official
Stacey went Instagram official with her new boyfriend later that month, sharing a snap of Joe with some flowers and she told the Mirror, "It's going really well... We're having fun, spending time together and getting to know each other." Joe added to OK! online, "She's lovely, she's an amazing person... I'm really lucky."
March 2016: Joe and Stacey make their first public appearance together
The new couple made their first official public appearance together in March 2016 at the Gala Screening of Game of Thrones Season 5. Stacey also shared a photo of the pair together on Instagram with the caption, '#happy 💙😁.' (sic)
August 2016: Stacey discusses having babies with Joe on Loose Women
Although they'd only officially been together for eight months, Stacey revealed that she was feeling pretty positive about the relationship, even adding that they'd discussed having babies together. Joe even said: "I think definitely babies, that's a good idea."
November 2016: Stacey and Joe present the I'm A Celeb spin-off TV show together
In November 2016, it was announced that Stacey would be joining Joe to present the I'm A Celeb spin-off show, along with Vicky Pattison and Chris Ramsey.
December 2017: The couple spend Christmas Day together
Stacey and Joe took a big step in December 2017, spending Christmas Day together for the first time. Stace shared a snap on Instagram of herself, her sons Zachary and Leighton as well as Joe on Christmas Day.
October 2018: Joe and Stacey move in together
Stacey revealed that she and Joe had moved in together along with her two sons in October 2018, sharing a photo on Instagram with the caption: 'HOME SWEET HOME. Finally all in and ready to start afresh together. If you're wondering what's going on here... We are eating a Chinese out of random Christmas dishes, using our hands, whilst sat on washing baskets and cardboard boxes eating off a cat basket. Nothing to see here...' (sic)
February 2019: Stacey and Joe announce they are expecting first baby
The next big milestone in this relationship came in 2019 when they announced their pregnancy! Joe first announced it by sharing a series of photos of Stacey napping with the caption: 'Have been driving myself mad thinking that she's bored senseless of me and can't stand to be awake for longer than 10 minutes of my company... So you can imagine my delight to find out that she still loves me and my company very much she's just been growing a baby.
'I can't begin to describe how happy we are to be able to share this wonderful news. We've been so blessed with 3 incredible children that we've had the privilege of raising and we are forever grateful to have the chance to become parents to another wonderful child. It's all very overwhelming and emotional and we couldn't be happier right now.' (sic)
Whilst Stacey shared a photo of the baby scan, writing, 'Every time I go to write anything I sob so... what he said @realjoeswashy 💜.'(sic)
May 2019: Stacey and Joe welcome baby Rex
On Thursday 23rd May, Stacey and Joe welcomed a little boy into the world. Joe announced the news on Stacey's Instagram, sharing a photo of her and the baby with the most heartwarming caption.
Revealing that the baby had come a little early, he wrote, 'This morning. A lot earlier than planned I watched the love of my life, bring a new life into the world. We are overwhelmed, overjoyed and apprehensive of what's to come. Mummy and baby are well and resting. We are so grateful for all of the love, support and positivity we've received over the last 8 months. I'm lost for words to describe how I'm feeling. So for now, I'm going to spend the next few days and the rest of my life falling more in love with these two humans. I didn't think it possible but, today I witnessed the impossible. My partner, My love, my life, you are a super human. I am forever in awe. Joe X.' (sic)
December 2020: Stacey and Joe announce engagement
On Christmas Eve in 2020, Stacey shared this photo of herself on Instagram, revealing Joe had proposed to her during a walk with the boys. She told fans, 'To the moon and back bub. I have no words 🖤 💍', before sharing a video of the cute moment a few days later.
However, in a Celebrity Juice stint in May 2021, Joe revealed that his efforts had almost gone to waste. After he laid flowers down in the woods for Stacey ahead of the proposal, it turned out that she thought it was for a memorial! He explained on the show: "To be fair the proposal was a bit awkward as well. I thought it would be really nice so I thought I'd do it on Christmas Eve and I took her in to the forest.
"I got a lady to put a load of flowers out. And when I took her through the forest, she saw the flowers and she went, 'Aww I think someone's died over there.' Coz it was all white flowers and I went to her, 'Oh come let's have a look, pay some respects'." 😂
March 2021: Stacey and Joe move into Pickle Cottage
In March 2021, just months before their planned wedding, Stacey confirmed the pair had bought their 'dream forever home', a lovely place called Pickle Cottage.
June 2021: Stacey and Joe confirm they are expecting their second child
In June 2021 the happy couple delighted fans by revealing they are expecting their second child together! Sharing this cute snap with their son Rex and Stacey's older boys Zachary and Leighton, Stace wrote: 'We are growing another pickle 👶🏻 We've never felt so grateful... I have no words. We didn't think we would get the chance. We love you all to the moon and back. Lots of love From Me, Joe, Harry, Zach, Leighton, Rex, and our little pickle 🥺'. (sic)
October 2021: Stacey and Joe welcome baby Rose
On her 32nd birthday in October 2021, Stacey went into labour and gave birth to the couple's daughter at their home Pickle Cottage.
Stacey shared this adorable photo of her baby girl, writing on Instagram: '🤍 She's Here 🤍 Born at Pickle Cottage on mummy's birthday. Our little girl… Happy birthday my darling daughter… We all love you more than you could ever imagine. Your brothers, your daddy and I are so in love. Thank you for the most incredible 9 months. Now we cannot wait for the rest of our lives with you…🖤'. (sic)
The couple later revealed they'd chosen to call her Rose Opal Esmè Solomon-Swash.
July 2022: Stacey and Joe get married
After years of planning, Stacey and Joe finally exchanged vows in a Jewish ceremony, surrounded by their closest friends and family, including children Leighton, Zachary, Rex, Rose, and Joe's son Harry.
Stacey shared the most stunning photos from the big day.
December 2022: Stacey and Joe announce they are expecting third child
Just days after Christmas in 2022, Stacey and Joe announced the amazing news that they are expecting their third child together! Stacey shared a cute video of the moment she told Joe she was pregnant, with the couple over the moon!
Just weeks later, Stacey announced she was expecting a baby girl!
February 2023: Stacey and Joe welcome baby Belle
Just two months after revealing she was pregnant, Stacey gave birth to a beautiful baby girl called Belle in February at home in Pickle Cottage. The new arrival was Stacey and Joe's third child together.
July 2023: Stacey and Joe celebrate their first wedding anniversary
On 24th July 2023, Stacey shared footage of Joe's adorable wedding vows as the couple celebrated their one-year anniversary.
Joe says in the emotional video: "Stacey, you are the love of my life. You're my soul mate, I promise to love you, to protect you, to look after you and our family and I'll never let you down. I will always have your back, even when you're wrong. I adore you. I did from the very moment I met you seven years ago in Australia, and here we are now with our kids and our family and loved ones.
"I can't believe how lucky I am to have you, I hope you feel the same about me. I love you so much Stacey."
April 2025: Stacey and Joe land their own reality series
Stacey and Joe signed a deal with the BBC for their very own fly-on-the-wall reality series called Stacey & Joe. Kicking off on 1st April, new episodes aired every Tuesday night on BBC One. The BBC say of the series: 'Say hello to Stacey & Joe, the brand-new fly-on-the-wall reality series following one of the UK's most loved families. Stacey and Joe will open the doors to Pickle Cottage, welcoming us into their busy life with five kids, four ducks and two dogs! This is one series you won't want to miss.'
Following the final episode in series one, BBC bosses announced the show had been renewed for a second series. Stacey and Joe said of the news: "The biggest thank you to every single person who watched the first series of Stacey & Joe... We've been so grateful for all the lovely messages and we're so excited to bring out another series with the BBC."
All episodes are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Now read:
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash's complete relationship timeline
Stacey Solomon's career: From The X Factor to Sort Your Life Out
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash announce their very own reality show