‘I'm just like a cheap handbag for Nicole!'

Nicole and Joe Sealey from The Real Housewives Of Cheshire open up on their time on the show, their fitness and weight-loss missions and overcoming health battles

KIRSTY HATCHER

They say couples who train together stay together and Nicole and Joe Sealey are shaping up to be the proof. The Real Housewives Of Cheshire star, 46, and her former footballer hubby recently renewed their vows after 12 years of marriage and have their own couple’s workout plan out.

They have teamed up with Nutri Heroes, a website and app offering 90-day fitness and nutrition guides, and set some health goals for 2021.

And Nicole, who joined the ITVBe show last year, says the app is handy as she can’t manage some exercises due to a serious arm injury from seven years ago.

It was paralysed for two years but Nicole, the chief executive of four companies, didn’t let it slow her down. “I was trying to cook after a few days,” she says. “It’s amazing how quickly you adapt.”

Here, Joe, 36, and Nicole – who has children Luka, 23, Kira, 20, and Remi, 18, from a previous relationship – talk about getting in shape, sharing their lives on camera and whether they’ll be returning in another series…

Hi, guys! Have you enjoyed being part of The Real Housewives Of Cheshire?

Nicole: I have but it was very full-on and heavy. Everyone has been affected this past year with business and I employ a lot of people, so it was full-on with also doing the show. Luckily, we have managed to keep everyone working and I’ve been able to support my children. I’ve made friends from the show and you have to take the positives.

Are there downsides?

Nicole: The bits I don’t like, such as the trolls, I can just ignore. That side isn’t great and it makes me feel bad for the younger generation on TV, I think about how they cope with it.

Joe: I love it. The men get the nice bits and get to go to the parties, whereas the girls have all the drama. I’m just like a cheap handbag for Nicole! I’d not done reality TV before but where I’ve played football, I’m used to being around cameras and press, whereas Nicole would never even be in a picture before. When she decided we were going to do it, I was surprised.

Is there anything you wouldn’t share?

Nicole: Joe will talk about anything! I have to kick him under the table. We’ve spoken about quite personal things this series but I’m quite a private person, so that was strange.

You opened up about having IVF and how it hadn’t worked out. It must have been tough…