Stacey Solomon is set to deliver one of the most heartbreaking episodes yet of Sort Your Life Out, as she helps a devastated mum and her young daughter begin again after an unimaginable loss.
Almarie’s world was torn apart when her husband Marcus, initially told he had five years to live, tragically died just two months after being diagnosed with bile cancer. One day life felt “perfect”, and the next, as Almarie recalls, “the whole dream just shattered.”
Left to care for her 10-year-old daughter Maria – who was born with a chromosomal condition – Almarie understandably put everything else aside. Her home slipped into chaos as grief took over, with her sole focus becoming protecting and supporting her daughter through the darkest time of their lives.
In tonight’s emotional episode, Stacey and her team travel to South London determined to help the family find some light again.
Before Marcus fell ill in 2021, the couple had built a happy life together and had even begun fostering children. But everything changed in an instant when doctors revealed his cancer had already spread to his liver.
“They said survival was five years, but he passed away within two months,” Almarie shares, still struggling to process the shock. “It was very surreal because one minute life was perfect, then the next day the whole dream just shattered.”
As grief consumed her, friends stepped in to help – even sleeping on her sofa in shifts – but the house became a painful reminder of everything she had lost.
Determined to handle the situation with care, Stacey’s team brought in bereavement specialists and carefully moved Marcus’ belongings to a warehouse, ensuring Almarie wouldn’t feel overwhelmed.
Reassuring her, Stacey gently explained: “We are not erasing Marcus. We want to bring him back to the house with us, but we want to bring the most important things.”
But even the smallest memories proved overwhelming. When choosing items to keep, Almarie broke down as she picked out a simple pair of Marcus’ flip flops to wear in the garden.
“It’s very surreal. I still feel like I’m in a dream,” she admits. “It hits me when I go to bed at night because I’m behind closed doors and no one sees me.”
In one of the most emotional moments of the episode, Almarie reveals she waited four days before telling Maria that her dad had died, struggling to find the right words.
“My friend bought me this book called Daddy’s Rainbow,” she explains. “I made sure she ate her lunch first. At the end of the book, I said that Daddy was a rainbow.”
Maria’s reaction still haunts her. “She was like, ‘What?’ and then 10 seconds later, she fell into my lap. It was the worst thing.”
The heartbreak doesn’t end there. Almarie also opens up about losing her own mother just four months before Marcus passed away, leaving her to navigate unimaginable grief on multiple fronts. Overcome with emotion, she collapses into Stacey’s arms.
“You have been coping,” Stacey reassures her. “Look at your amazing daughter. You’ve done an amazing job.”
As the team works their magic, the transformation is nothing short of life-changing.
Maria is gifted a vibrant new art room in the garden, filled with her creations – a safe space to express herself. Her bedroom is redesigned with a small stage and even a walkie talkie, allowing her to check in with her mum at night whenever she feels scared.
Meanwhile, Marcus’ belongings are carefully preserved in a wicker basket, keeping his presence alive in a way that feels comforting rather than overwhelming.
By the end, both mother and daughter are visibly lighter, embracing a fresh start while still holding onto the love they shared.
Reflecting on the journey, Stacey says: “There’s no better feeling than knowing the people you’ve spent the week with are going to wake up tomorrow and be lighter.”
