Made In Chelsea star Sam Vanderpump has revealed he has been diagnosed with irreversible end-stage liver disease and may have just four to five years to live without a transplant. The 28-year-old, nephew of reality TV icon Lisa Vanderpump, spoke openly about his condition on this week's episode of the E4 series.
Born with congenital hepatic fibrosis of the liver and polycystic kidney disease, Vanderpump explained that his illnesses remained dormant until a severe flu last December, compounded by asthma, sent his organs into crisis. Speaking to co-star Ollie Locke, he said: “There is no hope of my liver getting better and he said I wouldn't be having this call with you if I thought you could make it through the next four or five years.”
Remaining optimistic, he continued: “The way I look at it is I'm healthy now, hopefully I will remain healthy all the way up until I'll get a call and go in for surgery and then I wake up and I'll be healthier.” Vanderpump, who is expecting his first child with fiancée Alice Yaxley, also acknowledged that many others awaiting transplants are “higher up on the list” and in more critical condition.
Following the emotional episode, the NHS Organ Donation service praised Vanderpump for speaking publicly. The organisation wrote: “You may have seen in tonight’s episode of Made in Chelsea, that one of the cast members Sam Vanderpump needs an organ transplant. Our thoughts are with Sam and his family as they face this news. We hope that his courage in speaking out will offer inspiration to others.”
The revelation comes months after Vanderpump shared that he “nearly died” last December when liver and kidney failure led to sepsis. He revealed that his fiancée called an ambulance after he became delirious. Rushed to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, doctors told him that if he had arrived 24 hours later, it would have been too late. He lost 15kg in just eight days.
