Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews insist their marriage is strong, so why do concerned pals think otherwise?
THEY couldn’t be further apart, as Vogue Williams throws herself into the jungle on I’m A Celebrity Down Under, her husband Spencer Matthews is criss-crossing the world on a super fitness challenge.
But pals fear it’s not just a physical distance that’s coming between the ex Made in Chelsea star and Irish beauty – with those close to the couple mystified as Spencer ploughs on with his challenge and Vogue tries to break out from the boundaries of her marriage.
Vogue Williams is currently taking part in I’m A Celebrity – ten years after her husband didCredit: ITV
Before setting off on their different challenges, Spencer was keen to show a public display of affectionCredit: instagram/spencermatthews
The pair have been together since 2017 – when they were living very different livesCredit: PA
Of course Vogue and Spencer have been insisting until they are blue in the face that everything is hunky dory. But it hasn’t been quite enough to stop both fans and those close to them from speculating.
A source told us: “People have noticed how much time she spends without him and how it increasingly looks like they are starting to live very, very separate lives.
“Vogue is often left home alone for months with three young children, which is extremely hard work.”
Things are changing though – a decade after Spencer was kicked off I’m A Celeb after he was found to be secretly taking steroids, Vogue is giving it a go.
The insider added: “People have been joking that I’m A Celebrity is a make or break holiday for them.
“It will either make their hearts grow stronger or push them further apart.”
Spencer’s decision to do his own challenge while Vogue is away hasn’t gone unnoticed with fans.
While Vogue is snacking on critters and wading through jungle slime, Spencer will be on the other side of the world taking on his latest super fitness charity challenge to run seven triathlons in seven continents.
Their extreme separation has raised eyebrows.
One fan unfairly remarked: “Maybe one of the parents should be with the children, you are in SA and she is in Australia….”
Stunning Vogue and Spencer are parents to Theodore, six, Gigi, four, and three-year-old Otto. The children are thought to be in the care of family members while both their parents are away.
And as rumours continue to swirl, Spencer – who at one time rarely posted about his wife on social media – has started sharing lenghty declarations of love for her, which she can’t of course read while in the jungle. It raises the question amongst fans about who the posts might really be aimed at?
One person online raged: “Ffs, you’re permanently off running around the world, why are you missing her now!”
A few days into her jungle stint started, he gushed: “It’s wild how much you can miss someone you’ve spoken to every single day for years. This is the longest we’ve gone without talking since we’ve been married, and I feel it more than I ever expected.
“When things get dark and rough for me in this challenge, I think about how incredible our reunion will feel in a couple of weeks and how amazing it will be to hold you and to be back together as a family.
“You don’t realise how much someone fills your world until the silence kicks in… I can’t wait for the end of year we have planned!!”
The pair’s time apart comes a year or so after Vogue had to cope with vicious cheating rumours about her husband and the ongoing scrutiny of their marriage.
There were wild claims the former Made In Chelsea playboy had an alleged fling with Lottie Moss at pal Jamie Laing’s wedding, while Vogue was at home. All parties strongly denied any infidelity had occurred, but the rumours were embarrassing for him and Vogue, regardless of how far-fetched and unfounded they were.
Pals close to Vogue tell us the real reason she decided to do I’m A Celeb was part of her decision to put herself first for a change.
The source said: “Vogue is madly in love with Spencer and is his number one fan, she is 100% supportive of his dreams and fully committed to their marriage and future.
“But she’s also been left feeling emotionally exhausted by it all… The rumours, the drama – which saw them put on a brave face on – the never-ending nights alone. It left her feeling like she had no choice but to do something for herself for a change.
“When she was offered IAC, her first thought was ‘no, of course I can’t do that, I need to be there for Spencer, and the children need me.’
“But recently she started to wonder why she should always put Spencer first when he isn’t doing the same for her – he’s putting himself and his own ambitions before her and the family, and she feels like it’s her turn now.”
‘This is my time’
Speaking to The Sun’s Fabulous magazine before she headed in as a late arrival, Vogue admitted: “I want to push myself and my boundaries. I feel like I’ve got too comfy in my own life, on my throne of pillows – I sleep with three, it’s too many!”
She added: “This is probably going to be the most downtime I’ll ever have for the rest of my life, until I’m really old, until I’m slowing down at work, maybe when I’m 70 or 80.
Devoted mum Vogue juggles her career with being a mum of threeCredit: Instagram
She headed to Scotland with the kids the weekend before heading to AustraliaCredit: Instagram
“This is my time. I’m going to really enjoy that.”
But Vogue’s career challenge of a lifetime hasn’t stopped Spencer from pushing ahead with his own goals – and he is currently taking on his latest extreme fitness challenge.
The once boozy lothario has swapped nights out for a different kind of high, which in recent years has become somewhat of an obsession for him.
This time, he is doing seven full-distance triathlons, across seven continents, in 21 days, while attempting to beat two world records while raising money for the men’s mental health charity James’ Place.
Last year, he completed the Great Desert Challenge, running 30 marathons in 30 days in the Jordanian desert, which earned him a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive marathons run on sand.
Not too long ago, Vogue broke down in tears on social media after a day of solo parenting, admitting: “My favourite job is being a mom, but my GOD it’s hard.”
After completing his huge charity endeavour, Spencer described it as a “transformative” period of his life, and there is no doubt that things have really changed for the couple.
‘Will he be there for her at I’m a Celeb bridge?’
The next couple of months could be hard on both Spencer and Vogue because they won’t be together – and it could very well end up being a new chapter in their lives.
Our insider said: “Crucially, she won’t be able to support him this time because she will be filming IAC. It’s a major turning point in their marriage, as previously Vogue would never have dreamt about not being there for Spencer at the finishing line.
“It’s her time now – but those closest to her wonder, will he be there for her to greet her at the end of the bridge after IAC?”
The couple have worked few a number of issues – including relationship doubtsCredit: Getty
They shared their second wedding on telly for all their fansCredit: E4
Globe-trotting romantic holidays followed including a trip to St Barts in 2021Credit: Splash
But Spencer’s attendance at pal Jamie Laing’s wedding triggered uncomfortable rumoursCredit: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock
While Vogue once again shut down marriage concerns, telling Fabulous: “We’re happy, our relationship is solid and we’re having a great time, our kids are happy and that’s all that matters”.
‘I thought he was a sociopath’
Vogue and Spencer tied the knot in June 2018, and she was firmly welcomed into the family fold by his multi-millionaire parents.
But, the marriage very nearly did not happen, though, because Vogue admits she once thought that Spencer, 36, was a “sociopath”.
He might now be a clean-living marathon runner, but in 2017, when they met on Channel 4 reality ski show The Jump, he was known for being a heavy-drinking party boy from Made In Chelsea.
Vogue said: “I kind of met him with a preconceived idea, and I was like, ‘I’m not going to like him’ because I thought he was a sociopath.
“But after I met him, I loved his personality straight away. He was so sound, but I was being really good at being single and I wanted to stay single, so I thought, ‘He’s going to be a really good friend’ — that’s the first thing I thought.”
Vogue and Spencer’s reps have been contacted for comment.
Vogue has thrown herself into the I’m A Celebrity challengesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
While Vogue is in the Australian jungle, Spencer is on his own challenge in South AfricaCredit: DIGITAL/EROTEME.CO.UK
Vogue has shown her support for Spencer’s extreme fitness challengesCredit: Social Media Collect
Vogue Williams answers Fabulous’ ‘What was the last…?’
Film you watched Gabby’s Dollshouse: The Movie. The whole time I was saying to the kids: “Listen, it’s Mummy!”
Book you read Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams – no relation!
Concert you went to Oasis. Twice. I’m obsessed.
Person you texted Spenno. We talk to each other all day. I said: “Can you get Winston’s ashes, please?” Our dog died in September – he was nearly 14. His ashes were at the vet’s.
Item you bought A Charlotte Simone leather jacket. I have a real problem with buying jackets. I can’t stop!
Time you cried When our dog died, I was inconsolable for weeks.
Belly laugh Last night with my sister on the pod.
