As Ruth came on screen, Stacey beamed: “Hi Ruth!”—only for the lunchtime host to plough on with her introduction, failing to acknowledge her colleague. Seconds later, Stacey tried again, calling out “Love you!” before being met with silence for the second time.
The incident comes just weeks after it was revealed Stacey had quietly stepped away from Loose Women after 13 years on the panel. Her last appearance was during the show’s 25-hour Talkathon in December 2024 for ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign, following a steady decline in her appearances. Producers had tried to book her for more slots but ultimately accepted her packed schedule meant she had moved on.
While Stacey’s absence has made space for newer faces such as Olivia Attwood and GK Barry, she has been busy with her BAFTA-nominated BBC show Sort Your Life Out and her brand-new reality series Stacey & Joe, which gives viewers a glimpse inside her Essex home, Pickle Cottage, in a Kardashians-style look at family life.
Speaking on This Morning, Stacey and Joe emphasised the honesty of their new project. Joe explained, “I think it would be weird for us not to be ourselves.” Stacey agreed, adding: “We don’t know how to be anyone else… this is all we’ve got.”
Cat Deeley praised the couple for their openness, while Ben Shephard highlighted Stacey’s father’s role, prompting her to credit her extended family. Stacey reflected, “People ask how we do it all—but we don’t. We’ve got a village of people, the best family we could ever wish for.”
The interview also revealed surprising details of their chaotic household, which includes 21 chickens, eight ducks, three dogs, and even a colony of bees. Stacey laughed: “They came by accident… I was on a beekeeping course, and then my plumber spotted a swarm, so we went to get it.” Joe joked: “I never know what animal we’re going to get next!”
Joe also shared how fishing has become a lifeline for him since his ADHD diagnosis. “It gives me energy and keeps me balanced. It’s been amazing for my mental health,” he said.
Still, despite the cheerful chat, the frosty on-air snub between Stacey and Ruth was the moment that viewers couldn’t stop talking about.
