We take a look at the stars who have successfully navigated blending their broods
WORDS: ARIANA LONGSON. PHOTOS: WIREIMAGE, SHUTTERSTOCK, GETTY, INSTAGRAM @STACEYSOLOMON, @REALJOESWASHY, @CHRISTINELAMPARD, @FRANKLAMPARD, @DR_EMILY_OFFICIAL, @XKATEFERDINAND
THE LAMPARDS
Before she welcomed daughter Patricia, four, in 2018, Christine Lampard had parenting down to a T, thanks to husband Frank’s daughters Luna, now 17, and Isla, 15, with ex Elen Rives. In 2015, Christine said, ‘Frank’s away a lot, their mummy could be away. It’s me going to violin recitals, me doing their homework, me doing the bathtime – I’ve grown into that.’ But the 44-year-old, who gave birth to Freddie in March 2021, said she was clear when it comes to boundaries as a step-parent, saying, ‘I’m their little mate. I don’t want to be their mummy. That was never even a thought.’
THE SOLOMON-SWASHES
Loose Women’s Stacey Solomon recently welcomed her fifth child, her third with husband Joe Swash. And while they may now be closer than ever, it wasn’t always straightforward bringing their brood together. Stacey, 33, is mum to sons Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 10, from previous relationships, and shares Rex, three, Rose, one, and newborn Belle with Joe. And 41-year-old Joe is also father to Harry, 15, with his ex-partner Emma Sophocleous. Stacey, who married Joe in August 2022, admitted, ‘The blended family situation has been a rocky road. That has never been easy. We have always had to work really hard to make sure everyone feels secure.’ However, Stacey recently revealed that when Harry, Zachary and Leighton made speeches at their wedding, they knew the boys felt happy in their blended family.
THE ANDRES
Singer Peter Andre shares Amelia, nine, and Theo, six, with wife Emily MacDonagh, 33, but before their 2015 wedding he was famously married to model Katie Price for four years and the pair had children Junior, 17, and Princess, 15. After his divorce in 2009, Pete, now 50, settled into life as a single dad before meeting Emily and expanding his family. In a 2017 interview with Lorraine Kelly, Emily said she had a great relationship with Pete’s eldest kids. ‘I love it. They are the loveliest children. It taught me what I was doing before I had my own children. They are great,’ she shared. ‘I’m quite young, I guess. Maybe they see me as a big sister!’
THE KARDASHIAN-JENNERS
They’re one of the most famous blended families in the
