UK
Jewish presenter Stacey Solomon crowned ‘queen of Christmas’
Solomon has both Ashkenazi and Sephardi roots
December 18, 2025 16:55
Solomon has both Ashkenazi and Sephardi roots
December 18, 2025 16:55Jewish presenter Stacey Solomon has been crowned the “queen of Christmas” by members of the public, topping a poll of celebrities they would most like to invite over for Christmas dinner.
Solomon who attended King Solomon High School and celebrates Chanukah, outranked fellow TV presenter Alision Hammond, and even Catherine, Princess of Wales – whose husband Prince William will one day become head of the Church of England – to come top in the poll of 5,000 women asked who they would want to spend 25 December with.
The presenter, who rose to fame in 2009 on the X Factor and has continued to enjoy a career in the public eye since then, was described by those surveyed as coming across as “down to Earth” and “honest”.
‘My mum’s family are Christian (my granddad was a vicar) and my dad’s family are Jewish, so we were raised learning about both,’ she explained.
Solomon, who has five children of her own and one stepson, was praised for “[making] you feel like you’re not failing as a mum”, with many voters saying the Dagenham-born star represents a Christmas that is real rather than picture-perfect, and one that centres on family rather than pressure.
She is best known now for serving as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women, and for presenting primetime BBC programmes including Sort Your Life Out.
Solomon has both Ashkenazi and Sephardi heritage through her father, photographer David, while her mother Fiona was the daughter of a Church of England vicar who converted to Judaism before marrying.
She has often spoken of her pride in her Jewish heritage.Speaking at the annual Camp Simcha Ladies’ Lunch in 2023, Solomon said that being Jewish is like “being a part of the best club ever”.
She added: “I find that whatever I do and wherever I go in my life, I have extra extended members of family within the Jewish community.”
In an interview with the radio station Heart, she said: “Growing up, the influence Judaism had on me was an overwhelming understanding to love those around you, care for others as if they are part of your family, and strive to be the best individual that you can.”
She also celebrates Christmas with her husband Joe Swash and their family and often posts festive pictures and videos to her Instagram feed, while in 2024 she presented the BBC One crafting programme Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas.
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