Coleen Nolan explains why Loose Women didn't congratulate Stacey Solomon on her pregnancy

Coleen Nolan has explained why there was no mention of Stacey Solomon's pregnancy announcement on Loose Women.

Stacey announced on Instagram on Wednesday (28 December) that she is expecting her fifth child - her third with husband Joe Swash.

Captioning a video in which she shows Joe the positive pregnancy test, she wrote: "So grateful and can not believe I'm saying this... Another little pickle is on the way...

"A HUGE surprise, but one that we are so thankful for. To the moon & back bub @realjoeswashy."

Reacting to the news on Twitter, Stacey's Loose Women co-star, Coleen, wrote: "Another pickle already?! The Cottage is going to need an extension at this rate! But seriously, massive congratulations @StaceySolomon & @realjoeswash."

She then added: "Couldn’t be happier for you both."

However, fans of the show were wondering why Stacey wasn't congratulated on-air, and evidently fed up of being asked the same question, Coleen shared a simple explanation.

She tweeted: "PS, to everyone who've tweeted in wondering why it wasn't mentioned on today's @loosewomen, it's because the episodes between Christmas and New Years were pre-recorded.

"No big secret, the pre-records were announced in the Christmas lineup!"

Stacey has two children with Swash: one-year-old Rose Opal Esmè, and Rex Toby Francis, who is three.

She also has Leighton, 10, and Zachary, 14, from previous relationships.

Yesterday (Friday 30 December), she revealed that the fifth is due 'much sooner than we thought'.

"Coming soon… Much sooner than we thought," she wrote.

"When we found out we still wanted to have that first few months you usually would to adjust and get excited and enjoy it to ourselves, but that didn't leave us with very long left.

"So this time next month we will be getting ready to say hello to a whole new pickle. So grateful. While we had some time off we thought we better take some memories before it's too late."

The former X-Factor star was flooded with messages of congratulations following her latest post.

"Wow that's amazing news congratulations," wrote YouTuber Sarah Conder.

"You were just made to be a mum and it makes me so happy to know another lil baby will get to have you guys as a family," added musician Talia Mar.

While a fan gushed: "Absolutely gorgeous stace!! I'm so happy for you all!!"