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Interview: Stacey Solomon

Thanks Simon, but I’m quitting reality TV

December 29, 2010 14:29
Stacey Solomon says she isn’t sure Simon Cowell (below) was being complimentary when he said she “makes brilliant television”

ByJessica Elgot, Jessica Elgot

4 min read

What's eating Stacey Solomon? In the past few weeks, the Dagenham diva emerged triumphant from the Australian jungle as winner of I'm a Celebrity… and made an emotional return to the X Factor. She is widely feted for her bubbly girl-next-door naturalness and generally regarded as the nation's sweetheart. Everything in the garden should be rosy. So what's the problem?

First of all she has had enough of reality TV. Then she is anxious about her employment prospects and craves a steady job. And to cap it all, she has got a bone to pick with Simon Cowell.

The 21-year-old singer, who found a place in the nation's hearts when she came third in last year's
X Factor contest, was hoping 2010 would bring a record deal and high-profile concerts, even the start of a proper TV career. Instead, she ended up eating distinctly unkosher bits of a kangeroo and sharing a camp with Gillian McKeith. It was not exactly what she had in mind.

"I don't want to be Miss Reality TV," she protests, reflecting on events of the past 12 months. "That's definitely over for me now. Who can say what might happen in 10 years' time, but that's me done for the moment."