Judi Love has said it is 'classic' of Stacey Solomon to not learn of her pregnancy until later down the line.
The Loose Women panelist, 42, shared her congratulations to Stacey, 33, and her husband Joe Swash but revealed she and her fellow ITV show panelists were expecting Stacey to return to the show soon before discovering the news.
Stacey, who hinted at her due date recently, announced she was eight months pregnant with her fifth child in a surprising Instagram post on December 28.
She told fans in the caption: "So grateful & can not believe I’m saying this… Another little pickle is on the way…"
The pregnant TV star added: "A HUGE surprise, but one that we are so thankful for".
Now, Judi has taken to her OK! magazine column to congratulate Stacey and share her surprise at her pal's happy news.
She wrote: "I’d like to wish a huge congratulations to my Loose Women gal pal Stacey Solomon, who has just announced she’s pregnant with her fifth child!
"Just when we thought she was ready to return to the panel, she reveals this exciting news!"
Judi, who recently backed Prince Harry's 'need to be heard', added of herself and her fellow Loose Women panelists: "But we’re all so happy for her."
"She and Joe Swash are such amazing parents, I’ve no doubt they’ll take their incoming addition in their stride," she gushed before joking: "I just can’t believe she had no idea she was pregnant for so long and that she’s due next month – classic Stacey!"
It comes as soon-to-be mum-of-five Stacey shared a photo of herself alongside her husband Joe and four children to open up on her growing family.
As she posed the adorable group snapshot on her Instagram page, Stacey said: "My Heart Finally managed to get us all in one picture.
"It’s the strangest most amazing feeling thinking how they all started out like bump.
"And now Zach has outgrown us all & Leighton isn’t far behind
"And Yes, they asked for a tracksuit for Xmas and i purposely bought them matching ones as a present to myself," Stacey joked. "When they put them on yesterday I couldn’t resist a picture
"Happy Monday Everyone Lots of love from all of us".
Stacey is already a proud mum to her son Zach, 14, Leighton, 10, from previous relationships. She also shares son Rex, three, and one-year-old Rose with husband Joe Swash.
Meanwhile, Joe is dad to son Harry, 15, from his previous relationship with Emma Sophocleous.
Recently, fans were left convinced Stacey had revealed the gender of her unborn child as she discussed an ultrasound scan.
As the crafty DIY guru bickered with husband Joe about whose lips their unborn child has inherited the pregnant star appeared to refer to her baby as 'he' throughout the video.
She said: "Me and Joe are sitting here having a full blown discussion about whose lips the baby has got," she said during the update shared with her loyal fans on Instagram. "Because yesterday we got to go and see baby for the scan and the sonographer lady was so incredible that she got the most amazing picture of its mouth and nose.
"And Joe thinks it's got his mouth and I think he’s got my mouth. He’s got my lips."
