JOE Swash’s Channel 4 future confirmed – after backlash over reality show with Stacey Solomon.
Joe Swash’s TV fate has been revealed as Channel 4 decide to commissioned a second series of Batch From Scratch: Cooking For Less.
Presenting alongside batch-cooking guru Suzanne Mulholland, the duo help families slash food bills and kitchen stress to rescue cash-strapped families struggling to feed the fam without blowing the budget.
The Channel 4 series sees the pair meet households across the UK in need of serious help when it comes to mealtimes – from bloated food bills to chaotic dinner routines.
The plan? Cut meal prep down to just one hour a week by cooking smart, freezing in bulk and making food stretch further.
With over half a million online followers and a string of Sunday Times bestsellers, Suzanne has become the queen of time-saving meal hacks – and now she’s bringing her no-fuss food magic to the telly.
With help from Joe, Suzanne will whip up bespoke menus tailored to each family’s favourite dishes, showing them how to save time, cash and kitchen stress.
The show is produced in partnership with Lidl, and comes as more and more Brits look for ways to make their weekly shop go the distance.
Meanwhile on BBC One, Joe’s reality show with his wife Stacey Soloman has also been renewed for a second series.
The couple opened the doors to their home for the cameras, for a fly-on-the-wall look into their family life with their five kids.
It shows her balancing a booming career, including a new perfume range, alongside the couple raising Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, two, plus her sons Zachary, 17, and Leighton, 12, from previous relationships, and Joe’s son Harry, 16.
Cameras are believed to be returning to their famous Pickle Cottage home later this year, to film what the family get up to.
Stacey and Joe say: “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.”
The recommission may come as a surprise as they risked their reality show being axed after being accused of breaking strict BBC rules.
They risked the wrath of Corporation bosses, by plugging their products while on the show.
Stacey Solomon's career so far
Stacey Solomon has been a familiar face on viewers' screens for over a decade. Let's take a look back at her career.
The X Factor (2009): Stacey competed in series six of long-running ITV singing competition The X Factor. During her time in the show, she was mentored by Danni Minogue in the ‘Girls’ category. The star finished in third place, behind Joe McElderry and Olly Murs.
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here (2010); In late 2010, Stacey headed to the infamous I’m A Celeb Aussie jungle. After 21 days, she triumphed to win the tenth series. It was through I’m A Celeb that she met future husband Joe Swash – who’d won two years earlier and was hosting the ITV2 spinoff.
Celebrity Juice (2011―2013, 2016―2019): The star appeared as a panellist on 21 episodes of the comedy panel game show hosted by Keith Lemon. Stacey was a regular in the 21st series, broadcast in 2019.
Loose Women (2016 – present): Stacey has been a permanent panel member of the daytime show since 2016. She previously made guest appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Sort Your Life Out (2022 -present): This BBC show sees Stacey, with the help of an expert team, transform participants’ living spaces after removing clutter.
In one scene, Stacey told the cameras: “I’m going to be trying on my last summer collection. I have brand partnerships and design different things for those brands. Anything from homeware to clothing lines.”
And she also teased plans for her own perfume brand, telling viewers: “I’ve wanted to do this for so long now. Creating a perfume. I would love to sort of create scents from Pickle Cottage that really make me happy.”
Stacey has also namechecked her haircare brand and homeware range, and hubby Joe has cooking account and family coffee company.
This all breaks editorial rules to plug commercial deals on air, as they clearly state: “No on-air talent should promote products, goods, services or clothing they use on air.”
The rules go on to say that this includes anything they have “agreed, or been contracted, to promote or in which they have financial interest.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “Stacey & Joe is a reality series following the daily lives of the couple which includes their work.
“All commercial relationships featured are made clear to the audience and only included where editorially justified.”
