Made In Chelsea personality Sam Vanderpump has described 2025 as the "toughest but best year" of his life, following his marriage to co-star Alice Yaxley and the anticipation of their first child, all while he battles a serious health condition.
A Year of Profound Contrasts
The 24-year-old reality star married his pregnant girlfriend, model Alice Yaxley, also 24, in an intimate ceremony last month. The couple are expecting their first child, a baby boy, on Valentine's Day next year. This joyful news comes against the backdrop of a severe health crisis for Sam.
In late 2024, Sam fell seriously ill with flu, which developed into sepsis and led to both liver and kidney failure. He has since been diagnosed with irreversible end-stage liver disease and is currently on the transplant waiting list. His life expectancy is limited to four or five years without a new organ.
An Emotional Rollercoaster
Taking to Instagram to reflect on the year, Sam shared a series of personal photos, including images from his wedding and Alice's pregnancy bump. In a lengthy and heartfelt caption, he expressed his complex emotions.
"This has been one of the toughest years of my life but also one of the best, and I wouldn’t change a thing," he wrote. "If you know me, you know I’m one of the most optimistic and excitable people you’ll ever meet, so with that in mind, thank you 2025 and bring on 2026, we got this!"
He credited his support network for helping him through the ordeal, stating the chosen photos were about "the people I’m with and how they’ve supported me, helping make a hard year into something really special." He saved special thanks for his new wife, tagging Alice's Instagram account.
Wedding Plans Amid Health Struggles
In their first joint interview since marrying, given to HELLO! Magazine, Sam admitted he was "struggling emotionally" in the weeks before the wedding due to his health. "I was struggling emotionally in the weeks leading up to the wedding because of everything going on with my health," he confessed. "But I have been so over the moon happy these past few days."
The wedding was organised in just four weeks, followed by a dinner at The Lanesborough. The couple opted for a low-key event, forgoing traditional elements like a first dance. Alice walked down the aisle with her father, Jason, in a white silk and lace gown, while Sam wore a white jacket and black trousers.
The newlyweds plan to host a larger celebration in May 2027, after the birth of their son.
The Devastating Diagnosis
Sam was born with the rare conditions congenital hepatic fibrosis of the liver and polycystic kidney disease, which remained dormant until December 2024 when his organs began to fail. He publicly announced his diagnosis on Made In Chelsea in November.
He described the "terrifying" moment he discovered the severity of his situation via an NHS app notification, shortly after learning Alice was pregnant. "I open it up and it's literally a four line letter," he recalled on the We Need To Talk podcast. "And it goes 'Dear Sam, after reviewing your latest CT scan, these are in line with your condition, we're sending you for a liver transplant assessment.'"
His immediate fear was for his unborn child, especially after losing his own father seven years ago. "To now start having that thing dawned on you. Am I going to see my child? That's terrifying," he said, becoming emotional.
Sam has credited his aunt, fellow TV star Lisa Vanderpump, with helping him through his illness. The couple announced they were expecting a baby boy in September and have already chosen his name.
You can register as an NHS organ donor at: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/
