Spencer Matthews won’t be cheering on his wife, Vogue Williams, in the Australian jungle this year — not because of drama, not because of distance, but because he’s racing across the world on a feat so extreme it borders on the impossible. The Spencer Matthews, 36, known for his years on Made in Chelsea, is currently attempting to complete seven full Ironman triathlons across seven continents in just 21 days. His next race? South Africa. Meanwhile, his wife, Vogue Williams, 31, has just arrived at the Murwillumbah jungle camp in New South Wales, Australia, to begin her debut on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. They’re on opposite sides of the globe, chasing wildly different dreams — and neither can change course.
Why Spencer Can’t Make the Trip
The math is brutal. One Ironman means a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride, then a full 26.2-mile marathon — all in one day. Most elite athletes take 10 to 15 hours to finish just one. Doing seven, back-to-back, across seven continents? That’s not endurance. That’s madness. And Matthews is doing it with no rest days between races. His schedule? A logistical nightmare. After finishing in Antarctica, he flew to South America, then Europe, Asia, and now heads to Africa. There’s no window to hop on a plane to Australia. Even if he could, the time difference alone would wreck his recovery. He’s not choosing between his wife and the race. He’s trapped by physics.Vogue’s Debut — and a Past That Lingers
For Vogue Williams, this is a new chapter. The Irish presenter and former Dancing on Ice contestant has been a fixture on UK reality TV for years, but this is her first time in the jungle. She’s no stranger to pressure — she’s danced on ice in front of millions, survived public scrutiny after her marriage to Matthews, and now faces bugs, sleep deprivation, and bizarre challenges in the Australian bush. But she’s not alone in the spotlight. Her husband’s past haunts the edges of this story. In 2015, Spencer Matthews was pulled from I'm a Celebrity after just two days when producers discovered he’d been taking steroid-based medication. It was a scandal. A headline. A stain. But Michael Slavin, LADbible’s Film and TV writer, was clear: "This has nothing to do with his 2015 stint." This time, it’s not about rules broken. It’s about bodies pushed to the limit.
A Mutual Support System — Separated by Continents
Here’s the twist: they’re still cheering each other on. In a candid moment on Good Morning Britain, Matthews admitted that Williams "hopes to be at the finish line" for his final Ironman in South Africa. But he also let slip something quieter — something more human. "I don’t know if she’ll make it," he said. And that’s the real story. This isn’t about who’s supporting whom. It’s about two people trying to be extraordinary, even when it pulls them apart. They’ve built a life on public stages, but now they’re living a private kind of sacrifice. He’s swimming in icy waters in Antarctica. She’s eating bugs in the jungle. Neither can be there for the other’s biggest moment — not because they don’t want to, but because the world won’t let them.The Bigger Picture: Celebrity Couples Under Pressure
This isn’t just a reality TV story. It’s a mirror. Celebrities aren’t immune to the grind. When both partners are in demanding careers — one in endurance sport, the other in televised spectacle — compromise becomes a luxury. Think of the Williams sisters, or even tennis power couples like Andy Murray and Kim Sears. They don’t always show up for each other’s biggest moments. But they show up in other ways: texts at 3 a.m., voicemails after a race, quiet pride in each other’s pain. Matthews and Williams are no different. Their love isn’t defined by proximity. It’s defined by understanding. And that’s rarer than any reality TV moment.
What’s Next for the Couple?
Matthews’ final Ironman is scheduled for December 1, in South Africa. If he finishes, he’ll become one of only a handful of people to complete seven full Ironmans in 21 days — a record-breaking achievement. Williams will likely be eliminated from I'm a Celebrity before then, but she’ll be watching. And when he lands back in the UK? They’ll have a long, quiet dinner. No cameras. No crowds. Just two people who’ve spent weeks chasing impossible goals — and still chose each other.Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t Spencer Matthews travel to Australia to support Vogue Williams?
Spencer Matthews is currently completing seven full Ironman triathlons across seven continents in just 21 days, with his next race scheduled in South Africa. The tight schedule, extreme physical demands, and international travel logistics make it impossible for him to fly to Australia during the filming window of I'm a Celebrity in November 2023.
Is this the first time Vogue Williams has appeared on I'm a Celebrity?
Yes. Although Williams has previously competed on Dancing on Ice and Strictly Come Dancing, her participation in the 24th series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! marks her debut in the Australian jungle. She is one of the late arrivals to the camp, with filming underway in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, as of November 2023.
What happened to Spencer Matthews during his 2015 appearance on I'm a Celebrity?
Matthews was withdrawn from the show after only two days when producers discovered he had been using steroid-based medication. The incident sparked public controversy and media scrutiny. However, LADbible’s Michael Slavin confirmed that his current absence from the jungle is unrelated to that 2015 incident, and stems purely from his Ironman challenge.
How extreme is Spencer Matthews’ seven-continent Ironman challenge?
Each full Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon — typically taking 10–17 hours. Completing seven of these consecutively across seven continents in 21 days is unprecedented. Only a handful of athletes have attempted anything similar, and none have officially completed it under these exact conditions.
Will Vogue Williams support Spencer during his final Ironman in South Africa?
Matthews has said Williams "hopes to be at the finish line," but there’s no confirmation she’ll make it. Her schedule on I'm a Celebrity ends before his final race on December 1, and travel logistics remain uncertain. Even if she can’t be there in person, their mutual support — through messages and public acknowledgments — remains strong.
What does this say about modern celebrity relationships?
It shows that even in the spotlight, real relationships require sacrifice and understanding. Matthews and Williams aren’t just reality stars — they’re people pushing personal limits. Their separation isn’t a sign of strain, but of mutual respect. They’re choosing to support each other’s dreams, even when they can’t be physically present. That’s more meaningful than any TV moment.
