Sam Vanderpump and Alice Yaxley have endured a lot since they started dating, but only six weeks ago, they revealed the happy news of their pregnancy.
On Monday night’s episode of Made in Chelsea, Sam, 28, spoke of his devastating ‘end-stage liver disease’ diagnosis.
The irreversible condition could leave him with a few years to live if he doesn’t get a liver transplant.
Sam is the nephew of Vanderpump Rules and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump, and he’s engaged to 24-year-old model Alice.
The young pair announced their pregnancy on Instagram in mid-September, receiving many happy messages of congratulations from fans and co-stars.
But just weeks later, Sam had some sad news to share.
In Monday’s episode of the hit E4 reality show, Sam told friends Ollie Locke and Tabitha Willett: ‘There is no hope of my liver getting better, and he [the doctor] said I wouldn’t be having this call with you if I thought you could make it through the next four or five years.
‘They’re sending me for a liver transplant assessment, so yeah.’
Last year, the TV star nearly died over Christmas after his liver and kidneys failed, which triggered life-threatening sepsis.
What is end-stage liver disease?
End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is the final stage of liver damage, where the liver is so scarred and damaged that it can no longer function properly.
This irreversible condition is the result of chronic liver diseases, such as advanced cirrhosis or acute liver failure.
Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, swelling, confusion, and abdominal pain, and treatment may involve a liver transplant if the liver function is severely compromised.
To find out more about end-stage liver disease on the NHS website, click here.
In March, he told The Mirror: ‘I got an infection due to a genetic disease I’ve got, which led to sepsis and it ended up quite bad. I was in hospital and it was a close call; I could have died.’
He shared that Alice saved his life at the time by calling the ambulance, and explained that some of the symptoms that he experienced could have been mistaken for the common flu.
‘So now, every time I get a pain or feel a little lethargic, I think, “Oh God, am I getting sepsis?” rather than, “Do I have something completely minor?”‘ he said.
When did Sam Vanderpump and Alice Yaxley begin dating?
They’ve been dating for around 15 months, according to the Daily Mail, ticking lots of milestones off along the way.
They were introduced through their Chelsea connections, with Alice catching Sam’s eye at her own birthday party in July 2024, says Grazia, and started dating shortly after.
Their fast-paced relationship meant they were engaged in March of this year, and Alice fell pregnant a few months after.
In their sweet engagement post featuring the glammed-up pair on the streets of London, Sam’s aunt Lisa commented: ‘Perfect couple.’
Although it’s been a somewhat whirlwind of a romance, the couple won’t be tying the knot until 2027, Sam told The Mirror.
On details, he said: ‘We like the idea of an intimate family wedding abroad, then a big reception party in the UK.’
When did Sam and Alice announce their pregnancy?
The couple announced their pregnancy on September 16.
They posted an Instagram post with the caption: ‘Life is full of surprises, but this is the best one yet. I can’t put into words how happy and excited we are!’.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, they revealed the name they had picked out for their baby boy – Marmaduke.
Sam said: ‘My dad is no longer with us, but he always wanted to call my brother “Duke” because he believed my brother would one day become Prime Minister, Duke Vanderpump. I really love the name.’
Mark Vanderpump died by suicide in 2018, and his death is something that Sam has talked publicly about struggling with.
In a Made in Chelsea episode that followed their pregnancy announcement, Sam became emotional talking about his dad’s death while they were getting a scan to find out the sex of the baby.
He said: ‘I know I never really talk to you [Alice] about it […] I just find it really difficult to talk about my dad.
Sam went on: ‘I struggle with the fact my dad’s not going to be there at our wedding, and I struggle with the fact that our child’s not going to know their grandad. It’s very sad – especially with the way he went.’
In the same episode, the couple told their Made in Chelsea friends of their news.
Tabitha and Ollie were delighted and got emotional at pictures of the baby scan.
During another recent episode of the show, Sam and Alice were nervous to tell ‘Aunty Lisa’ the news.
She responded with shock, asking if they were sure, before saying she ‘couldn’t be happier’.
Who is Alice Yaxley?
Alice is a model and now reality TV star who joined the Made in Chelsea cast in 2025.
She’s from London, but has modelled all over the world in places such as China and Bali. Her impressive CV includes the names of big brands like ASOS, Motel Rocks and Missguided.
In 2023, Alice suffered first-degree burns after her friend’s car overheated and exploded.
She told The Sun: ‘I remember screaming and crying, it was the worst pain I have ever felt and only got worse.’
After undergoing surgery, she lost vision in her left eye for days and was told to avoid direct sunlight for at least two years.
In her interview, Alice said: ‘The firefighters saved my modelling career, that’s for sure.’
Since joining the show, she’s had some clashes with Jules Pollard and Tristan Phipps, but prides herself on being ‘straightforward’.
In promo material before joining season 29, Alice said: ‘If you say something I don’t agree with, I will definitely call you out on it.’
What has she said about Sam’s health issues?
After Monday’s show aired, Sam’s fiancée shared a video on TikTok in which she addressed his liver disease diagnosis.
Alice admitted: ‘I can’t deal with watching myself back, it really just cringes me out, but I did watch last night’s one because it’s obviously a very emotional time for Sam.’
‘So I watched it and Sam telling Ollie and Tabs… I just couldn’t deal, really made me cry.’
Fans showed their support in the comments.
@rhiannondr4gon said: ‘I’m so sorry about Sam’s news. You weren’t cringe at all, you’re handling everything with such grace.’
Another user, Emma Townsend, added: ‘It made me cry. You are both carrying yourselves beautifully and should be proud.’
While fan, @nixonnight, told Alice: ‘You’re such a selfless caring person. Sam couldn’t have a better person by his side.’
Made in Chelsea returns on Monday, November 3, at 10.15pm on E4
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