Taking the reins of her U&W series for a sixth series, Stacey Dooley admits that becoming a mother to her daughter Minnie, has somewhat changed her perspective on interviewing.
Stacey Dooley is back for the sixth season of her much-loved U&W series, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over – the intimate show where she spends time inside the homes of extraordinary people, delving deep into their lives beyond the headlines.
While Stacey Dooley approaches each episode with an open mind, her perspective has inevitably been shaped by becoming a mum. She shares two-year-old daughter Minnie with her partner Kevin Clifton.
Has motherhood changed her approach? “I’m sure it probably has, you’d have to ask my director,” she quips, “Maybe subconsciously. When you’re interviewing or spending time with parents or a mum, you can’t help but think ‘what if I found myself in this situation with my daughter, or if my daughter found herself in this situation?’”
Even for Stacey, the show’s staying power feels surreal. “I can’t quite believe we’re on our sixth series, that does feel wild, but brilliant,” she says. “It’s such an achievement and a testament in terms of how loved the series is.”
The “sleepover” format has always felt natural to her. “It’s very intimate and it’s immediately intimate,” she says. And with this season’s line-up, she promises a few jaw-dropping moments.
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First up is Lily Phillips – a high-profile adult content creator with a huge following and a knack for stirring up controversy. Stacey knew exactly what to expect.
“I knew obviously Lily Phillips was going to be an adventurous weekend, and I knew that it was going to be quite full on, but I leaned into that,” she says. “I enjoy making episodes that are worlds away from my life day to day. That’s the beauty of it.”
Behind the ring light, Stacey discovered more than just headline-grabbing soundbites. “She was good company, very accommodating and there’s a real sweetness to her that I don’t think is immediately obvious, because what she’s saying is so outrageous,” Stacey says. “But, also there’s a scene at the end of the film. We haven’t really seen that side of her before.”
From Lilly’s unapologetic glamour in London, Stacey heads to Essex to meet Barrie Drewitt-Barlow – Britain’s first gay man to be legally recognised as a father.
The visit was a whirlwind of opulence. “I felt like I was in a resort in Marbella, honestly! I turned up and there was staff everywhere, it was bonkers,” Stacey remembers. “Obviously a million miles away from how I live.”
Her time with Barry was more than lavish surroundings. Stacey met his entire family, including his partner Scott and their children. “All the kids were a dream, Scott was very welcoming as well,” Stacey says. “His mum was there a lot at the time.”
Her final stop is Birmingham, where she spends three days with Marie Buchan, the media-branded “Benefits Queen.” Stacey came away feeling like there was more to Marie than meets the eye.
“Spending time with her was really worthwhile. I hope people see a different side to her,” Stacey says. “She’s a woman who’s had a very hard time and has had very difficult moments.”
Filming for the three-part reality series is a break from everyday life, but it comes with an emotional challenge in the long-run. “The first night is heaven because you get a bit of peace,” she says. “Then the second and third night you start missing home.”
But her efforts clearly pay off. If the audience response is anything to go by, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over is as popular as ever. “It’s always a joy,” she says.
“When I get in the back of a cab and the cabbie says, ‘I’ve watched your Jewish family episode’ or ‘I’ve watched your episodes with the no parenting rules’, everyone’s got an opinion on the families that we’ve met.
I’m thrilled and proud that it’s the sixth series.” Is she ready for a seventh season? “Of course, is the Pope a Catholic?! Do we want more Sleeps Over… Yes!”
