Stacey Solomon taps David Beckham for beekeeping tips ahead of Pickle Cottage hive
The TV personality reaches out to the football icon for guidance as she plans a beekeeping venture at her Essex home, a thread that skillfully ties into her new BBC docuseries.
Stacey Solomon has disclosed an unlikely line of contact with David Beckham, reaching out to the former England captain for tips on beekeeping as she plans to install a hive at her Pickle Cottage home. The moment comes as Solomon’s life at the Essex property—shared with husband Joe Swash and their four children—takes a central role in the BBC fly-on-the-wall docuseries Stacey & Joe.
Solomon revealed the exchange on a Tuesday evening, explaining that she had decided to follow Beckham’s example by keeping bees and making honey. Persuaded by her older sister Gemma, the 35-year-old sent Beckham a voice note via Instagram, asking for any top tips or advice and wondering if the Beckham household might offer guidance from their own beekeeping efforts. In the clip, she cringed as she confessed to Gemma: “I’m getting a beehive and I know you and Victoria have got bees and they’re a big part of your life, so I just wondered if you had any top tips or advice.” She added that she was already regretting sending the message, believing Beckham might never see or hear it, and warned she could be seen as a “weirdo.”
The moment also drew a playful response from Solmon’s husband, Swash, who told his wife that Beckham would likely not respond—and that he hoped the former footballer wouldn’t. “Damn right he didn’t reply, he better not either,” Swash quipped, joking that he didn’t need competition from David Beckham, especially when it came to beekeeping or other hobbies at Pickle Cottage. Beckham’s absence as a reply would be seen by many as a relief to Swash, who added that he already has his hands full with dogs and ducks at the couple’s home.
Beckham’s own beekeeping hobby has been well documented in recent years. He regularly shares updates from his Cotswolds estate, where he has installed multiple beehives. The activity has even inspired a business venture: BEEUP, a honey-based snack line for children, announced its US launch via Target stores. Beckham described the project as a passion he cultivated during the lockdown, noting that beekeeping has taught him a great deal about honey’s health benefits and the role it plays in promoting an active, family-friendly lifestyle.
The former Manchester United captain has spoken publicly about his beekeeping journey, including how his wife Victoria has playfully referred to his efforts as “David’s Sticky Stuff.” The couple has positioned beekeeping as a family-friendly hobby and a healthier alternative to other activities. Beckham’s social posts have highlighted his beekeeping routine, including hive maintenance, honey extraction, and product development for BEEUP, which has expanded Beckham’s public profile beyond football and fashion into children’s nutrition and wellness.
The latest spotlight on beekeeping comes as Beckham’s home landscape has not always been without controversy. Neighbors in the area raised concerns in 2024 about the placement of beehives on the boundary of his mansion, arguing that the location near a public footpath could pose safety risks. Local residents described the presence of new hives appearing close to public access points, and some questioned whether the positioning complied with safety guidelines. That episode underscored the high visibility of Beckham’s hobby, especially given the renewed public interest sparked by Solomon’s social reach and the BBC series that tracks her life at Pickle Cottage.
Stacey & Joe marks Solomon’s return to BBC programming as the couple shares an intimate view of family life at Pickle Cottage, including the chaos and warmth that come with raising four children in a large home. The docuseries aims to offer viewers an unfiltered look at the couple’s daily routines, household projects, and the balance between fame, family, and humble DIY ambitions. The beekeeping note—whether Beckham responds or not—adds a light, personal thread to the larger narrative of a modern family managing a sprawling home in Essex while navigating the pressures and privileges that come with public attention.
Bees, honey, and home life have all become touchstones for Solomon, who uses her platform to share family milestones and new projects. Whether or not Beckham offers tips, the moment has underscored the broader cultural moment in which celebrities’ hobbies—ranging from beekeeping to honey-based snacks—move from private passion to public interest, fueling curiosity about how households across the country are embracing sustainable practices and homemade foods in everyday life.