PA
A day after she was photographed smoking, mum-to-be Stacey Solomon has been removed from the shortlist for Celebrity Mum of the Year.
Stacey, who is seven months pregnant with her second child, won the coveted crown last year, but has now been dropped ahead of the 2012 winner announcement next week. She has also been dropped from a panel of judges to find Britain's best mum.
In a statement, sponsors of the award, Foxy Bingo said:
"Having been named Celebrity Mum of the Year 2011, Foxy Bingo and Stacey Solomon have enjoyed a close working relationship in the past year. However, 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."
The TV star, who is also mum to three-year-old Zachary, rang into TV's Loose Women earlier today to discuss the photos, saying she accepted the criticism and that she loved her children with all her heart:
"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 it's 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.
"It's absolutely devastating not just because I saw them [pictures] in the paper - it's something I'm not proud of and I'm really, really struggling with in general. It's not just because everyone knows now. It's something that I don't want to do and that I'm not happy doing so it's horrible."
The TV star also released a statement on her Twitter page saying:
"I am really ashamed and embarrassed that I have been smoking during my pregnancy. It is something that I am deeply upset about and not proud of in any way. I feel that I have let people down who have given me fantastic opportunities and believed in me but most of all I feel I have let myself down and my family, that I care about most in the whole world.
"However I feel that I am a strong person and I am doing everything in my power to give up and have been for a long while. I will succeed and I will give up as I care more about my children than anything and everything. Thank you to everyone for your on going support and loving me for me. My flaws and all. Love you all lots xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx."
What do you make of all this?
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