Stacey Solomon admits she's a 'buffoon' - but isn't "boring and desperate and cheap"

Loose Women TV presenter and role model for body positivity Stacey Solomon, 29, reveals what she has learnt so far, and learning to accept yourself

In some ways I have an old head on young shoulders.

I had a baby at 17 [son Zachary, now 12] and had to grow up fast.

But at the same time, I can be such a kid.

Maybe it’s a release from having all that responsibility so young in life, but things that kids find hilarious make me laugh too.

I love messing about with them and letting my inner kid out.

My mum always told me that nothing really matters if you have the love of friends and family.

This industry can be fickle, but I have such a solid foundation of love around me.

All the rest is just noise.

I’m heading towards having both a teenager and a baby at the same time (Stacey is pregnant with baby number three).

It’s been many years since I’ve been sleep-deprived or changed a nappy, and I know Zachary’s hormones are all over the place already.

I’m dealing with that thought by blocking it out, to be honest.

Stacey's lavish baby shower (Instagram/staceysolomon)

Pregnant Stacey Solomon looks ETHEREAL in sheer white gown for glitzy baby shower 

I feel like if I have a presence and can reach out to people, I have a responsibility to show who the real person behind the screen is.

I’m just a normal, regular person.

I’m hairy, I have cellulite.

I’ll do whatever it takes to ease the pressure off being perfect.

I don’t think I’m particularly brave to post honest pictures of myself on social – there are a lot of people doing a lot braver things than that.

But it’s important.

Stacey with Joe (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Pri)

Stacey Solomon admits she's 'jealous' of Meghan Markle as Baby Sussex is revealed

I’ve been made to feel bad about myself enough times, I don’t want other women to feel that too.

I remember going to the dentist, and everywhere I looked were all the pictures of me on a magazine saying I was ‘boring and desperate and cheap’.

We’re all human.

Let’s give ourselves a flippin’ break from judging others and – most importantly – ourselves.

Two women engaging in debate isn’t a cat fight.

On Loose Women we are always apparently ‘fuming’ with each other. I’m not fuming.

You don’t need to be, look or even act a certain way to be happy.

I’m a ‘smother’ – smothering Mummy, as my boys call me – a buffoon of a girlfriend, a fairly idiotic daughter, and I’m incredibly lucky to be a telly personality too.

I have a rebellious side, which was often seen as negative when I was growing up, but it worked in my favour.

I wanted to prove people wrong when they said I’d never make anything of myself because I’d had a baby.

Stacey on The X Factor (Ken McKay)

It’s been a massive relief for me to accept I probably won’t ever have an Instagram-perfect home, face, body or partner.

I probably won’t make my family organic juices throughout the day, throw a fake reindeer skin over my spotless designer sofa, or waft through my Moroccan-inspired garden in a silk kaftan.

Just isn’t happening.

I’d tell my teenage self: your voice really will take you places you never dreamed possible.

So keep dreaming, keep singing, it’ll all work out, I promise.

You are enough.

We are all enough.

Secrets Behind My Snapshot

With Joe and the boys in Los Angeles (Internet Unknown)

This is such a cheesy family photo, but I love it so much.

We’ve got it blown up on our living room wall.

I went to LA to interview Ayda Field and Joe (Swash) and the kids came with me.

It was our first proper trip away as a family, and I remember just feeling so happy, like all I ever needed in the world was right there.

Joe means so much to me, more than he’ll ever know, more than I’ll ever probably tell him, so I hope he doesn’t read this!

He’s just the kindest person, and the best Dad you could ever imagine.

I think that’s what I fell for the most about him.

We were already complete even without another child, but we’re so excited about the baby, and Zachary and Leighton are excited about being big brothers.

For a minute anyway, until something more interesting happens like what’s on the telly or what’s for dinner.

- Stacey Solomon is working with Palmolive to help you unwind and re-connect with your senses. Transform your shower and reawaken your senses with Palmolive Natural and Aroma Oils ranges, available at all leading supermarkets.

- Stacey's book Happily Imperfect: Living Life Your Own Way is out now