Sam Vanderpump’s pregnant fiancée has spoken out for the first time after he revealed on Made In Chelsea that he has been diagnosed with end-stage liver disease.
The 28-year-old reality star, who is engaged to Alice Yaxley and expecting their first child, shared during the E4 episode that he is unlikely to survive more than five years without a liver transplant. Sam nephew of TV icon Lisa Vanderpump opened up about the devastating news during the show.
Today, Alice addressed the situation in a new TikTok video.
Speaking to followers, she said: “I don’t know who watched last night’s episode of Made in Chelsea I can’t usually bear to watch myself back — but I did watch this one. It was such an emotional moment for Sam.
“Seeing him tell Ollie and Tabs… I just couldn’t cope. It really made me cry.”
Sam was born with a liver condition, though it remained dormant until he fell seriously ill last December.
In Monday’s episode of Made in Chelsea, he opened up to show favourite Ollie Locke about his diagnosis.
“There’s no chance of my liver improving,” Sam explained. “The doctor told me, ‘I wouldn’t be having this call if I thought you could survive the next four or five years.’ They’re now sending me for a liver transplant assessment.”
When Ollie asked how he was coping, Sam said: “Right now I’m healthy, and I’m hoping I stay that way until I get the call for surgery. Then I’ll wake up and be even healthier.”
He added that many others will be ahead of him on the transplant list, making the timing uncertain.
Following the episode, NHS Organ Donation posted a message of support, writing: “You may have seen on tonight’s #MadeInChelsea that cast member Sam Vanderpump needs an organ transplant. Our thoughts are with Sam and his family. We hope his bravery in speaking out inspires others.”
The account also highlighted the shortage of donors, urging people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and make their wishes known to loved ones.
Earlier this year, Sam revealed he had “nearly died” after suffering liver and kidney failure, which developed into life-threatening sepsis.
He was admitted to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital last December with flu symptoms, where doctors discovered his organs had shut down.
“I thought I was going to die,” he recalled. “I didn’t think my body could handle it it was absolutely terrifying.”
He continued: “I remember the doctor telling me I was going into liver and kidney failure — I just broke down in tears.
“My mum stayed calm. You’d expect her to panic, but she didn’t want to make things worse for me.
“The doctors described my liver function as ‘deranged’ and even ‘demonic’.
“You don’t usually feel your organs, but when they start shutting down, you do. With my liver and kidneys failing, my heart was working overtime, my pancreas was struggling, my spleen wasn’t right…
“I could feel every bit of pain and discomfort. I was genuinely fighting to stay alive. I didn’t think I’d survive or ever leave the hospital.”
He added that he never imagined a bout of flu could lead to such a life-threatening situation.
“They told my mum that if I’d arrived at the hospital 24 to 48 hours later, I wouldn’t have made it,” he said. “By calling the ambulance, my girlfriend genuinely saved my life.”