Stacey Solomon left in tears after son Zachary asked Joe Swash if he was his 'second dad'

Stacey Solomon shared the emotional moment her son Zachary asked her boyfriend Joe Swash if he was 'like another son' to him now.

The Loose Women star, 30, confessed the tender family moment left her in tears after her beau Joe, 38, told her about the emotional chat he had with the 11-year-old.

Opening up about the conversation during yesterday's episode of Loose Women, Stacey revealed she broke down in tears after she found out Zach told Joe he sees him as a 'second dad'.

The mum-of-three has sons Leighton, seven, Zachary, 11, from previous relationships and seven-month-old baby Rex with Joe, who also has son Harry, 11, from his previous fiancée.

Discussing the touching moment, Stacey told viewers: "Once week, Joe takes Zach to the café for breakfast before school.

"Just him and Zach so they get a bit of alone time together."

Stacey continued to explain the emotional memory as she shared a glimpse of her earlier conversation with Joe.

She said: "So they went this morning and I was in the car on the way here and I got a phone call from Joe saying 'I know why Zach was so excited to go to the café this morning'.

"He said 'it's because he sat me down and said 'so Joe, you know it's nice having two sort of dads isn't it? So am I like another son to you?"

The gushing mum then excitedly explained how Joe enthusiastically said 'yes' and told Zach how much he loved all of the boys, leaving Stacey in tears.

She said: "Joe said 'yeah, I love you all the same!'"

The Essex star admitted she 'lost it' after she found out about the touching moment, and said that while Zach's biological father is great, she is glad her son has found another 'father figure' in Joe.

The TV favourite explained how she thinks it's 'such a privilege' to have a loving blended family.

She told the Loose Women panel: "He has an amazing, incredible dad, but it's always difficult having a blended family and hoping that you fit in, and everybody around you loves you just the same.

"To be able to have supportive parents on both sides, even if they're not living in the home, and then to have supportive step parents and father figures in your life outside of that, is just such a privilege and I'm so lucky we have that relationship."

The 30-year-old, who gave birth to baby son Rex back in May last year, has recently faced pressure about taking the next step for their family.

There has been rumours suggesting Joe should pop the question but the pair remain resolutely boyfriend and girlfriend as an engagement ring remains firmly locked away.

In November last year, Stacey and Joe headed to the Maldives with the family and there were hopes among their fans that this would be the moment that Joe got down on one knee.

However,Stacey has also insisted the family are happy as they are. She told new magazine: "I want an engagement ring, but I'm not bothered about getting married.

"Neither of us are! I have those weird preset ideas that I should get married and have a big white dress but it's not the be all and end all. We have our family, we're together, we're practically married in our opinion.

"That piece of paper for us isn't something we feel we need right now."

*Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV

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