After Hollyoaks aired two endearing cameos—one by a paperboy and the other by a parcel courier—played by two boys who appeared remarkably familiar, questions have been circulating online in recent days. And with good reason. The eldest sons of Stacey Solomon, Zachary and Leighton, made their acting debuts with a natural and sentimental presence. Viewers were surprised by their lighthearted timing and sincere charm, which piqued their interest in both their real-life narrative and their on-screen personas.
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether Zach and Leighton share a father. With Stacey’s characteristic candor, the response is crystal clear: No, they don’t have the same father. Stacey and her childhood sweetheart, Dean Cox, have a 17-year-old son named Zachary. The 12-year-old Leighton is from her subsequent relationship with Aaron Barnham, her ex-fiance. And even though their paternities may be different, they share the strongest, most enduring brotherly bond.
Zach and Leighton– Family and Personal Background
| Name | Full Name | Age | Father | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary | Zachary Cox | 17 | Dean Cox | Eldest son; Hollyoaks debut; featured regularly in family content |
| Leighton | Leighton Barnham | 12 | Aaron Barnham | Second son; also appeared in Hollyoaks; described as empathetic |
| Mother | Stacey Chanelle Clare Solomon | — | — | Presenter, author, TV host (Sort Your Life Out, Loose Women) |
| Stepfather | Joe Swash | — | — | Actor, host; biological dad of Rex, Rose, and Belle |
| Siblings | Rex, Rose, Belle, and Harry | — | — | Blended family with Joe Swash and his son from a previous relationship |
Distinct Fathers, Unbreakable Bond
Their story is particularly inspiring not just because they belong to a blended family but also because of how well and affectionately that blend works. Stacey has provided an incredibly powerful counter-narrative to the tired “broken home” label by presenting her home as a “extension” rather than a division. Multiple households do not split her children; rather, they empower them, giving them “more family to love them” as they grow up.
Stacey captures her family life in a way that is remarkably transparent and refreshingly unvarnished through hand-decorated birthday parties, garlands on seasonal doors, and candid captions. She talks about the difficult times and the touching ones. By doing this, she sets an example for parenting that is incredibly human and especially helpful to contemporary families attempting to strike a balance between shared custody, co-parenting, and changing family identities.
A Quick Yet Insightful Moment on Screen
Fans instantly recognized Zach and Leighton when they made their Hollyoaks appearances—not because their characters had long plots, but rather because they radiated the kind of easy-going on-screen chemistry that seems natural rather than staged. While Leighton, as a tardy paperboy, garnered laughs with a single look of innocent defiance, Zach, as a delivery boy, handled a confrontation at Price Slice with comedic rhythm.
Their brief appearances seemed so adaptable—not merely a publicity stunt, but a possible first step. What was notable was how calm and grounded they were, regardless of whether they go back to television. That composure is a reflection of the loving, emotionally astute atmosphere that Stacey and Joe have created, where private comfort is interspersed with public moments.
Love Across Family Boundaries
Love and laughter resound loudly throughout Pickle Cottage, their home. Zach and Leighton return to a home that has significantly changed our understanding of what family is, even though they each spend time with their biological fathers. In addition to treating the boys like his own, Stacey’s husband Joe Swash has been instrumental in providing consistency and warmth.
Stacey revealed in one particularly candid post how difficult it is to keep her sons apart when they visit their respective fathers, a struggle that many parentsin comparable circumstances can identify with. Nevertheless, she has turned that emotional gap into a teaching opportunity. She wrote, “Our family is not broken.” We’re an extended family. And an extension is adored by all.
Beyond Bloodlines: The True Meaning of Family
Through her candid sharing of her experiences, Stacey has contributed to the normalization of blended families in a way that is uplifting and incredibly consoling. Stacey’s strategy is especially novel in the context of contemporary parenting, where stepfamilies, co-parents, and multiple last names are becoming more prevalent. She respects her children’s fathers’ differences without erasing them, emphasizing that the children are not defined by them.
Because of her openness, humor, and emotional intelligence, Stacey’s house feels both realistic and aspirational. She reminds us that shared memories, respect for one another, and a home based on love rather than labels are what bind a family together, not similar last names or bloodlines.
