Made In Chelsea star Sam Vanderpump has revealed that he has been diagnosed with end-stage liver disease and may not survive beyond the next five years without an organ transplant.
The 28-year-old reality star — who is the nephew of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills legend Lisa Vanderpump — made the emotional revelation on this week’s episode of the E4 series, admitting to co-star Ollie Locke that “there is no hope” for his liver to recover.
“There’s no chance of my liver getting better,” Sam said. “They told me I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you if they thought I could make it through the next four or five years. They’re sending me for a liver transplant assessment, so yeah — that’s where I’m at.”
Despite the heartbreaking news, Sam said he’s choosing to stay optimistic. “The way I see it, I’m healthy now. Hopefully I’ll stay that way until I get the call to go in for surgery — and then I’ll wake up and be healthier.”
Sam, who is expecting his first child with fiancée and model Alice Yaxley, said he doesn’t know when the transplant might happen as others “higher up the list” may not survive the operation.
Following the episode, the NHS Organ Donation team praised Sam’s bravery, posting: “Our thoughts are with Sam and his family as they face this news. We hope his courage will inspire others to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.”
Earlier this year, Sam opened up about a terrifying health scare when he nearly died after his liver and kidneys failed, triggering life-threatening sepsis. His fiancée Alice saved his life by calling an ambulance after he became delirious and severely dehydrated while battling the flu.
“I thought I was going to die,” he recalled. “I remember the doctor saying I was in liver and kidney failure. My mum didn’t freak out — she stayed calm so I wouldn’t panic. But hearing the words ‘your organs are failing’ was absolutely terrifying.”
Sam’s condition caused extreme water retention, jaundice, and swelling so severe that his stomach “looked like [he] was pregnant.” He lost 15kg in just over a week after doctors managed to stabilise him.
Born with congenital hepatic fibrosis and polycystic kidney disease, Sam’s conditions had been dormant since childhood — until a bout of flu last December, combined with asthma, pushed his organs beyond their limits.
“I’ve lived with these conditions all my life, but they were always under control,” Sam said. “The flu weakened my immune system and everything hit at once.”
The reality star, whose late father Mark Vanderpump — Lisa’s older brother — tragically took his own life in 2018, said his recent health crisis has completely changed his outlook.
“This has given me a new perspective,” he explained. “I used to spend my free time partying and drinking. Now, I want to use it to raise awareness for the NHS and for people living with liver and kidney disease.”
Sam has vowed to use his platform to advocate for organ donation and sepsis awareness in future Made In Chelsea episodes, adding: “I want to help others recognise the early signs before it’s too late.”
