Made In Chelsea personality Sam Vanderpump and his wife Alice Yaxley savoured a rare evening out together on Sunday, merely a month after the birth of their son Marmaduke. The couple, who tied the knot just before Christmas in the wake of Sam's devastating end-stage liver disease diagnosis, were spotted at a special performance of The Hunger Games: On Stage in London's Canary Wharf district.
A Stylish Night Out in the Capital
Sam, aged 29, coordinated effortlessly with the stunning Alice, 24, both opting for all-black ensembles. He layered a sporty jacket over a crisp shirt and tailored trousers, while she epitomised chic in a cropped trench coat paired with pedal pushers and elegant pointed heels. The special performance, held at a uniquely constructed theatre in Canary Wharf, was organised to commemorate the fourteenth anniversary of The Hunger Games movie's initial release in UK cinemas.
Welcoming Their Newborn Amidst Health Struggles
Alice gave birth to their son at the prestigious Kensington Wing of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on Monday, 9th February. Their December wedding followed an immensely challenging period for the couple. In late 2024, Sam fell seriously ill with flu, which developed into sepsis and resulted in both liver and kidney failure. He was subsequently diagnosed with irreversible end-stage liver disease and is currently on the transplant waiting list.
Despite this profound uncertainty, Sam and Alice chose to prioritise their love, deciding to marry while he was still well enough, ahead of welcoming their baby boy. In a recent interview where they shared new photos from their wedding day, Sam admitted the emotional strain of the past year had weighed heavily upon him.
Sam told HELLO! Magazine: 'I was struggling emotionally in the weeks leading up to the wedding because of everything going on with my health. But I have been so over the moon happy these past few days.'
A Swift and Intimate Wedding Celebration
The wedding was arranged within a remarkably short four-week timeframe and was followed by a celebratory dinner at The Lanesborough hotel. The couple opted for a notably low-key approach, selecting Alice's wedding dress together and deciding against traditional elements such as a first dance and lengthy speeches.
Sam had proposed to Alice in March, after being hospitalised in January with the liver and kidney failure that escalated into life-threatening sepsis. He was born with the rare conditions congenital hepatic fibrosis of the liver and polycystic kidney disease, which remained dormant until last December when his organs began to shut down.
Facing Fears for the Future
During an appearance on the We Need To Talk podcast with Paul C Brunson, Sam described how he later discovered the devastating truth behind his symptoms, shortly after learning Alice was pregnant. The television star candidly revealed his fear that he might die before getting to meet his son, after initially being told he required a liver transplant to save his life.
Sam, whose father passed away seven years ago, explained how his thoughts immediately turned to his unborn child, stating: 'I always get sad when I think my dad's never going to see his grandchild. To now start having that thing dawned on you. Am I going to see my child? That's terrifying.'
Celebrity Guests at the Theatrical Event
The special Hunger Games performance also attracted a host of other notable faces from the entertainment world. The Traitors winners Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby were in attendance, with Rachel cutting a chic figure in a plaid co-ord and carrying her essentials in a YSL clutch.
Pregnant television presenter Laura Whitmore shielded her blossoming bump beneath a striking tiger-print shirt, completing the look with a pair of stylish sunglasses. EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks wrapped up warmly in a long wool coat, while Dancing On Ice professional Vanessa Bauer put on a very leggy display in a white mini dress worn with tights and knee-high boots, layered with a leather motorcycle jacket.
Iconic songstress Sinitta teased a glimpse of her trim midriff as she posed for photographers, and TV's money-saving expert Martin Lewis swapped his usual suits for a more casual jacket and jeans ensemble for the evening out.
