Stacey Solomon embarrassed after being caught smoking while pregnant

The 22-year-old former 'X Factor' star - who was named Foxy Bingo's Celebrity Mum of the Year - was photographed puffing on a cigarette whilst taking a break from a photoshoot in south west London.

According to the Sunday People newspaper, it was her fourth one in just two hours, although Stacy insists she tries to keep her smoking to a minimum for the sake of her unborn child.

She said: "I know it doesn't look good but I only have a few cigs a day.

"I don't think I've let down my fans, But I do get a little stressed at times and a ciggie helps me calm down."

The singer-turned-television presenter - who has son Zach, three and another on the way with fiancé Aaron Barham - admits she wants to quit, but her doctor warned her it would be 'more stressful' on her body if she packed the habit in completely.

She explained: "I desperately want to stop smoking and I don't want to set a bad example. It's a tough habit to break but I'm going to give it my best shot."

Her publicist Max Clifford added to The Sun: "Stacey has been smoking maximum one or two cigarettes a day but she is desperately trying to quit.

"She's very embarrassed about it all and is hoping all this will maybe push her into giving up."