Stacey Solomon in tears and says she's 'never felt this way'

Stacey Solomon has shared with fans that she's never felt the way she did watching her eldest son head off to prom. The Loose Women star was just 17 when she welcomed her first child, son Zachary, a couple of years before she rose to fame on The X Factor in 2009.

Now, at 34, Stacey is a proud mum-of-five, having welcomed her second daughter Belle last February with husband Joe Swash. The couple also have a son Rex and a daughter Rose, while Stacey is also mum to teenage son Leighton and Joe has a teenage son Harry from a previous relationship. The TV star and author expressed how she feels like she and Zachary have "grown together" as she bid him farewell for his prom, marking the end of his secondary school journey.

Stacey posted a video on her Instagram story where she can be seen inflating balloons with helium in her stunning pool house, recently prepared for the mini heatwave the country experienced earlier this week. The golden balloons spelling out 'PROM' were hung from one of the pool house's archways, with the shimmering pool visible in the background, reports the Manchester Evening News.

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Accompanying the video Stacey penned: "Today has been a very emotional day. Honestly, I don't know where the years have gone. School is over and it's Zachary's prom [crying emoji]." In a subsequent post the Sort Your Life Out presenter revealed she'd hosted some of her son's friends' parents.

Despite having glasses and a bottle of Moet champagne at hand, it seems there wasn't much drinking happening. "I had the mums and dad over to see the boys off to prom," Stacey wrote next to a face holding back tears emoji. "It was so lovely. But I think we were all crying," she admitted with a crying laughing emoji.

Stacey then posted a series of photos on her main Instagram page, showing her glowing with pride next to her 16-year-old son before he left to party with his mates. The teenager looked smart in a light blue three-piece suit, complemented by a navy tie and matching pocket square. He added a modern touch with what appeared to be a pair of Nike trainers.

Stacey also dressed up for the special event, wearing a floral midi dress. Joe joined them for several photos, along with other family members and friends, whose faces Stacey blurred out to respect their privacy.

Alongside her heartfelt message the overjoyed mother shared with her impressive 5.9m followers: "My baby just went to prom [crying emoji]. I don't think I've ever felt this way. My Zachary, has finished his GCSEs, left school, started his first job and is off to his prom."

She added: "Zach you are the best thing that ever happened to me. We've grown up together. I just can not believe how that time has flown by. Go and have the best night ever. You deserve it my darling. I'll be on stand by for the after party pick up. To the moon and back Zachary."

On her stories Stacey couldn't resist sharing more: "I'm sorry but how handsome," followed by a lineup of expressive crying and heart-eyed emojis. She added: "I'm so proud of you Zach. I love you so much. I can't believe this is it. School done. Now time to find out who you are. To the moon and back..." alongside a white heart.

Stacey's dedicated fans quickly took to the comments section to share in her emotional moment. One person wrote: "Oh this is just perfect. He's such a nice young man." While a second shared: "Awww this made me cry. Your baby has grown into a handsome young man. A proud mumma moment for you and the journey you made together."

A third person wrote: "What a handsome lad, hope he has the best time." And another said: "They grow up before we know it and become our best friends! This is beautiful," while a further person added: "Awww what a moment, you both look amazing." For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.