Joe Swash has hit back at criticism over his and wife Stacey Solomon’s lavish holidays this summer.
The entire family spent lots of time abroad recently and documented their trips on social media.
Mum-of-five Stacey was subjected to criticism after traveling to Turkey for 10 days, where the family stayed at the Regnum Carya Golf & Spa hotel, which she called ‘paradise’.
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The family reportedly splashed thousands on the trip, which angered Stacey’s 5.7 million Instagram followers.
She had previously asked her followers for advice in finding a last-minute destination for their holiday and ended up using her trusty travel agent and getting a discount.
Former EastEnders star Joe Swash has responded to disappointed fans by stating that the couple take the criticism ‘with a pinch of salt’.
In an interview with The Mirror, Joe said: "We're in the public eye, so you've got to take the rough with the smooth and not everyone is going to agree with us. We work really hard and we try to take our kids on holiday. We only work hard so we can spend more time and do more things with our family.
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"People are going to have a go but it's fine they're allowed their opinion and we take it with a pinch of salt."
Stacey and Joe share three little ones together; Rex, four, Rose, one, and five-month old Belle. She’s also mum to Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 11, and Joe dad to Harry, 16, from previous relationships.
In her Instagram post about the family’s trip to Turkey, the former X-Factor contestant said: “Our last day in paradise… The last ten days have been heaven and I don’t want it all to end. Spending time with my family is just the best thing in world. And this place was just MAGICAL.
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“Thank you for the memories @regnumcarya too the moon and back family. Ad we got a discount from our travel agent @trendingtravel on this hotel.”
Stacey’s followers on Instagram complained about her posts from the hotel and suggested she wasn’t being ‘relatable’ anymore.
One Instagram follower said: "Sorry Stacy but an average family could not afford this hotel you are very lucky to be able to afford this."
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Another person fumed: “Why do you need discount off a holiday? You are richer than most of the average people commenting on this post!”
They continued: “One of her previous posts was about going to 'only the buffet and bingo'...which gives the impression that it's some sort of package holiday that the average family might go to.
“And it's definitely not.. Again; I don't begrudge them a holiday at all."
At the time the backlash unfolded, the Loose Women panelist responded via Instagram to the people offended by her trip.
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“If me sharing our holiday doesn't make you feel good, then unfollow or just mute me or something,” she said.
"I love coming on here and sharing things so much and I love our community on here. All I ever want is to take you on the adventure with us and hopefully make you smile along the way.”
Topics: Stacey Solomon, Celebrity, Joe Swash
Gregory Robinson