Stacey Dooley, the renowned broadcaster and documentary maker, is opening up about the transformative experience of motherhood. After spending over 20 years documenting some of society's toughest issues, Dooley admits that nothing quite prepared her for the reality of becoming a parent.
Unprepared for Motherhood
Dooley gave birth to her daughter, Minnie, in January 2023. Despite her extensive work covering women's lives, she was surprised by the profound changes motherhood brought. "I went into it so unprepared," she confesses. "I cannot begin to tell you."
Like many expectant parents, Dooley opted out of antenatal classes and disregarded advice manuals. She humorously reflects, "You know, I used to see mums finding it tough and I’d think, ‘It can’t be that hard.’ I really used to think that. Which is fucking hilarious. I owe all of those women an apology."
In her new book, *Dear Minnie*, Dooley profiles women with diverse experiences of conception, pregnancy, and childbirth. Her own pregnancy was relatively smooth, marked by some morning sickness and a planned C-section. However, she admits, "the sleep deprivation knocked me for six. I’ve never in my life been that tired."
Parental Leave and Envy
Dooley's partner, Kevin Clifton, a dancer known for his role on *Strictly Come Dancing*, took two weeks of paternity leave before returning to work in a UK tour of *Chicago*. Dooley remembers feeling a pang of jealousy when he left. "I remember him leaving and shutting the front door and being like, ‘What the hell am I going to do now?’” Dooley recalls. “And I felt envious. That he was going to be sleeping from 10pm to 8am. I remember feeling jealous of that.”
"I’ve spent my life assuring everyone I’m a strong woman," Dooley says. "But motherhood has shown me a different kind of strength."
Stalker Pleads Guilty
In other news related to *Strictly Come Dancing*, Kyle Shaw, 37, has pleaded guilty to stalking judge Shirley Ballas between 2017 and 2023. This disturbing case highlights the darker side of fame and the importance of protecting public figures from harassment.
Dooley's candid reflections on motherhood and the Ballas stalking case offer a glimpse into the complexities and challenges faced by women in the public eye.