By Sarah Bull and J J Anisiobi


Keeping her head down: Pregnant Stacey Solomon was seen out today after the controversial shots of her smoking emerged at the weekend

She shocked fans when pictures emerged of her smoking despite being seven months pregnant.

But now Stacey Solomon has opened up about her struggle to kick cigarettes, admitting she 'knows it's not ok'.

Stacey's admission came as it was revealed the 22-year-old singer has been axed as Foxy Bingo's Celebrity Mum of the Year.

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Struggling: The 22-year-old singer looked upset and in her own world as she arrived back home

The former X Factor singer rang in to Loose Women to speak about the pictures on the show today, and said that while she wasn't trying to defend her actions, she felt some of the criticism she received was a 'little harsh'.

She said: 'All of the responses are something that I deserve. I don’t for one minute think I can sit here and say it is ok – so I can accept that kind of criticism and although it’s not nice to hear I know that its true the health risks and maybe that will give me more power to stop it and nip it in the bud.

'There’s ups and downs to people being critical because it makes you think oh my God, I really must sort this out and you feel even more guilty than you already do because don’t get me wrong I felt guilty before all of this came out.

'But there is a little a bit of you that thinks I love my children with all my heart so some of the comments are a little bit harsh.'

Sneaky puff: Seven months pregnant Stacey was spotted smoking down an alley way, but says the criticism she has received is a 'little harsh'

Stacey's admission came as she was seen outside her home this morning looking upset and dishevelled as she struggles to cope with the controversy she has caused with the shots.

And Stacey, whose second baby is due on 7th May, continued: 'It's absolutely devastating not just because I saw the pictures in the paper – its something I’m not proud of and I’m really, really struggling with in general.

'It’s not just because everyone knows now. Its something that I don’t want to do and that I’m not happy doing so it’s horrible.'

Coming clean: Stacey rang in to the Loose Women show today to explain the shots

Stacey also said she had been trying to give up during her pregnancy, adding: 'It’s a horrible habit and I care more about my children than anything in the whole wide world so anything I can do to give up means more to me than anything else or what anyone thinks.'

Stacey, Foxy Bingo's mum of the year, had been in the middle of a photo shoot in Fulham, south west London, when she slipped outside for a break and was seen puffing away on a cigarette.

The chatterbox queen has four-year-old Zachary, with ex-boyfriend Dean Cox, while her latest addition to the family will be with fiancé Aaron Barham.

Explaining the reason for axeing Stacey as their Celebrity Mum of the Year, a statement from Foxy Bingo read: 'Following stories in the newspapers in recent days, Foxy Bingo has taken the decision to stand Stacey down from her position as judge on Foxy Mum and from the voting shortlist for Foxy Bingo Celebrity Mum of the Year 2012, the winner of which will be announced next week.

'Stacey has apologised to the people at Foxy Bingo and is sorry and embarrassed by her actions. We understand Stacey is doing everything she can to stop smoking and in recent times has cut back dramatically. She's naturally disappointed but accepts Foxy Bingo's decision.'

Stars still in the running for the title include Natasha Giggs, Peaches Geldof and Katie Price.




source:dailymail