Olympic champion Adam Peaty finds himself embroiled in a deeply personal family crisis just weeks before his highly anticipated wedding to Holly Ramsay, daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The situation escalated dramatically with the arrest of his older brother, casting a shadow over what should be a celebratory time.
Brother's Arrest Overshadows Stag Do
The family strife reached a new peak when Adam Peaty's brother, James, 34, was arrested on November 11, 2025. The arrest, made at his home in Staffordshire, was on suspicion of harassment following alleged threatening messages sent to the swimmer.
The incident occurred while Adam was abroad on his stag do in Budapest. Upon his return to Manchester Airport, the 30-year-old was met by police as a safety precaution. A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police confirmed the arrest, stating the man was released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
The athletes father has since spoken out, lamenting that the situation has got out of hand. He revealed to The Sun that there has been very little empathy towards Jamies genuine mental health difficulties, highlighting a painful undercurrent to the very public dispute. This is not the first rift between the brothers; they previously fell out after Adam addressed Jamies past drug use and personal struggles in his 2021 autobiography.
A Deepening Family Feud Before The Big Day
The arrest is the latest development in a wider family conflict surrounding Adams upcoming nuptials. Reports indicate that the swimmer has uninvited his mother, Caroline Peaty, from the wedding, set to take place at Bath Abbey.
Her absence was noted at Holly Ramsays hen do at the exclusive Soho Farmhouse, an event attended by Hollys mother, Tana, and family friend Victoria Beckham. Instead, the 59-year-old grandmother was reportedly at her home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, caring for Adams five-year-old son, George, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Eirianedd Munro.
The tension appears to extend to wedding details, with claims that Adam and Holly did not approve of Carolines chosen dress and offered to buy her another. Carolines sister, Louise Williams, has publicly claimed Caroline is heartbroken and accused Adam of saying the most vile things a son can say to his mother. She further alleged that the Ramsay family are being a group of bullies, starkly contrasting the Peaty familys values of love, friendship and loyalty.
Past Controversies: From Strictly to Burnout
This is not the first time Adam Peaty has been at the centre of public scrutiny. During his 2021 stint on Strictly Come Dancing, his intense Argentine Tango with professional partner Katya Jones sparked rumours of a romantic connection. The performance culminated in what viewers dubbed an almost-kiss.
His then-girlfriend, Eirianedd Munro, referenced the moment in a jokey TikTok, writing, Watching your boyfriend almost kiss another woman on live tv. She later described his time on the show as the beginning of the end for their relationship, advising future celebrities to involve their families to avoid it being a lonely process for partners.
Beyond the dance floor, Peaty has been open about his battles with mental health. In March 2023, he withdrew from the British Swimming Championships, citing burnout and a loss of enjoyment in the sport. He later revealed to The Times that he had been on a self-destructive spiral, acknowledging alcohol as a weakness. This break was taken with the goal of returning stronger for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he subsequently won a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke.
As his wedding day approaches, the hope for many is that the Olympian can navigate these turbulent personal waters and find a resolution with his family.
