Stacey Solomon fans have leapt to her defence after she was slammed for buying her extended family a holiday as a Christmas gift.

The mum-of-five, who married long-term partner Joe Swash last year, regularly updates fans on her life at home in ‘Pickle Cottage,’ from renovations to her TV work to raising her children.

Letting fans in to see her life in full leaves Stacey open to criticism however, and last year the celebrity couple were slammed for going on a luxury getaway to Turkey which cost tens of thousands of pounds – but got a discount for sharing their holiday to social media.

Now the star has paid for 20 people to go on a luxury getaway as a Christmas gift, sharing the moment her extended family opened their cards with the announcement inside, as well as a photograph of them all basking in warm waters at the beach.

She wrote: ‘A special Christmas. For the first time ever we got to surprise our families for Christmas. Never felt more grateful & lucky. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be able to do this. 20 of us, 10 hours later & we have made it to paradise. Merry Christmas Everyone. Lots of love from ALL of us.’

Some slammed Stacey for buying such an extravagant gift, while others attacked her for posting it online, while others are struggling during the cost of living crisis.

Stacey Solomon has gifted 20 members of her family to a holiday in the sun (Picture: staceysolomon)

Lucy McAdden wrote on her post: ‘It gets a bit too much exposing the wealth that other [people] can’t dream of. You can’t be a working class hero and a mega spender.’

Iwocherry said: ‘Sadly most people are really struggling atm it’s the worst it’s been for decades – lovely Stacey can do this but maybe don’t post such in-depth details on social media. Sometimes private is best.’

Beth said it is ‘a big thing when you’re taking a lot of people on a holiday over the festive period when there’s going to be families etc sitting paining themselves for being unable to afford Christmas. I personally think she didn’t need to post it on Insta and could have just enjoyed a private family holiday.’

And Keelz Smith argued: ‘I just wonder when lots of people are struggling financially to even get through Christmas, whether this really needs to be shared. I think people forget that posting everything on social media is optional.’

But Stacey’s fans were out in full force, with plenty replying to Keelz saying it was also optional to follow Stacey and see her posts.

The mum-of-five shared the moment her family learned of the surprise trip online (Picture: staceysolomon)

Kirsty Clayton asked why ‘people are being so jealous of them,’ saying ‘we all work hard but Stacey started off being a single parent and going without’ before getting her big break, and that she and Joe ‘are allowed to go on holiday and have quality time together with the family.’

Katie Katherine admitted she was ‘jealous’ but ‘I can guarantee if I … saved up enough to take everyone I loved way I absolutely would be showing it off … people in life can afford things others can’t, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t let people be happy.’

Fans argued about whether Stacey should publicise her holiday during the cost of living crisis (Picture: BBC/Optomen TV/Mark Dolman)

Tasha Carroll agreed ‘it’s really nice to share on social media, it’s not rubbing it in people’s faces it’s just being proud of the journey she’s come on.’

She added: ‘I think it’s absolutely amazing to be able to treat the people closest to her and the ones that have been on her path with her to all of this.’

And Lauraa Drakeennis said: ‘Isn’t it the dream to be able to do that for your family! I know it’s a dream of mine. Well done Sracy, be proud of yourself and Joe and the beautiful family you’ve built. Enjoy your holiday!’

Joe previously addressed the criticism he and Stacey had received for their Turkey trip over the summer, saying you’ve ‘got to take the rough with the smooth.’

He told The Mirror: ‘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.

Joe and Stacey previously caught criticism for going on a lavish holiday over the summer, with fans also defending them at the time (Picture: Instagram)

‘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.

‘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.’

His comments came after Stacey urged anyone offended or upset by her posts to ‘unfollow’ her.’

‘If me sharing our holiday doesn’t make you feel good then unfollow or just mute me or something,’ she urged.

‘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.’

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