Fresh details have emerged in the ongoing saga surrounding Olympic champion Adam Peaty's wedding, revealing that the fallout extends beyond his immediate family. A close friend and fellow swimmer has been left 'devastated' after being uninvited from the lavish ceremony.
Friend 'Dropped' Amidst Family Tensions
Adam Peaty, 31, married television chef Gordon Ramsay's daughter, Holly, 25, in a high-profile ceremony at Bath Abbey on 27 December. While the event was attended by celebrities, it was notably missing most of Peaty's family, except his sister Bethany, due to a reported 'toxic' rift with his mother, Caroline.
Now, it has been claimed that Peaty's friend and former Team GB training partner, Michael Gunning, was also uninvited. A source told The Sun that Gunning was "feeling very hurt by the couple," especially given his public support for Peaty during a difficult period in 2023. The decision is alleged to stem from Gunning's support for Peaty's estranged mother.
A Cryptic Social Media Message
Just before the wedding, Michael Gunning shared a poignant post on social media that hinted at the turmoil. He wrote about a year of "incredible new opportunities" but also noted he had been "dropped by friends" and had to step outside his comfort zone.
"Life isn't always perfect," Gunning's post continued. "I'm learning that change can be a really beautiful thing and you should never stop fighting for your dream!" His absence was a shock, given he had attended the couple's engagement party last year.
History of Friendship and Past Strains
Michael Gunning, the UK's first openly gay and mixed-race swimmer, has historically been a vocal supporter of Adam Peaty. He publicly cheered Peaty's entry into Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, urging fans to vote for the swimmer.
However, this is not the first reported strain in their friendship. In 2024, Gunning was said to feel "betrayed" when Peaty's swim academy, AP Race, expanded into Saudi Arabia—a country where same-sex relations are illegal. A source claimed the move was "a dagger to the heart" for the LGBT rights advocate, leading Gunning to step back from his ambassador role with the academy.
Mother's Heartbreak and a Symbolic Name Change
The wedding snub compounds the very public distress of Peaty's mother, Caroline. She recently shared emotional posts stating she had "lost a piece of myself" and was "praying for peace" in 2026. The rift reportedly began over a disagreement about a dress she bought for the wedding.
Adding to the tension, Adam Peaty has seemingly changed his name, debuting as 'Ramsay Peaty' on Instagram and on wedding stationery. Body language expert Judi James suggested this decision, placing his wife's surname first, could be seen as symbolically distancing himself from his family name amid the crisis.
The lavish wedding and its surrounding controversies highlight a deep personal rift for the celebrated athlete, affecting both family and long-standing friendships, with the full repercussions yet to unfold.
