**Made In Chelsea Star Sam Vanderpump Opens Up About Sepsis Recovery and Ongoing Health Anxiety**
Sam Vanderpump, known to many from the reality television series Made In Chelsea, has revealed he is still grappling with serious health anxiety after a near-fatal episode of sepsis late last year. His candid disclosures have thrown fresh light on the long-term impacts of severe illnesses and highlighted ongoing risks even after apparent recovery.
The young businessman and television personality was admitted to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in December 2024, after becoming critically unwell with sepsis — a life-threatening response to infection. Vanderpump’s illness was triggered by the flu, and rapidly escalated into liver and kidney failure, a complication that often proves fatal without quick medical intervention.
Vanderpump described the harrowing ordeal publicly during an interview on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. Recounting the initial stages of his illness, he spoke about being sent home after his first visit to hospital, only to soon suffer an asthma attack and mysterious back pain. The medical team initially struggled to pinpoint the cause, leaving both Vanderpump and his fiancée, model Alice Yaxley, searching for answers as his symptoms worsened.
The severity of his situation intensified quickly. While out shopping in central London, Vanderpump began feeling extremely dehydrated. Within a day, his condition had deteriorated so drastically that he was suffering from delirium and dangerously cracked lips. “It went from being in Selfridges one day, to the next day facing organ failure,” he said, emphasising just how rapidly sepsis can threaten a person’s life.
Physical recovery has presented its own challenges. Vanderpump reported that he lost approximately 15kg during the illness, a significant reduction in body weight over a short time span. He has since managed to regain almost 10kg, but says his outward recovery does not reflect the lingering psychological and emotional effects. “The mental side is very, very hard to deal with,” he noted. While friends and family may assume he is back to normal simply because he looks healthy, Vanderpump admits ongoing struggles with health anxiety haunt his daily life.
Adding another layer to his vulnerability, Vanderpump lives with rare conditions — congenital hepatic fibrosis of the liver and polycystic kidney disease — which already put him at greater risk for complications like organ failure. These underlying issues have heightened his awareness of symptoms not only in himself, but also in loved ones. He shared how, when his fiancée recently developed a high temperature and an infection, he insisted on immediate medical assessment, worried that even mild symptoms could hint at something far more serious.
Vanderpump’s experiences prompted him to become an ambassador for the UK Sepsis Trust. The charity has reported that nearly 80,000 people each year experience life-changing consequences from sepsis in the UK, with more than four in five survivors suffering from post-sepsis syndrome for over a year after leaving hospital. Additionally, 18% of survivors are permanently unable to return to work due to the after-effects.
The reality star is using his public platform to urge others not to dismiss symptoms such as persistent flu-like illness, high temperature, breathlessness, or aches and pains. He recommends that anyone facing these signs consult a GP promptly and consider sepsis as a potential cause. Quick action, he emphasises, is vital for survival.
Beyond his television career, Vanderpump is an entrepreneur with financial businesses based in the UK and Dubai. He also previously pursued a career as a racing driver and is the nephew of Lisa Vanderpump, herself famous for appearances on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills and her spin-off shows like Vanderpump Rules.
Sam Vanderpump’s openness about his health journey serves as a crucial reminder of the hidden toll illnesses can take, not only on the body but also on the mind, and the importance of vigilance in recognising and treating serious infections such as sepsis. His story offers not only a tale of caution, but also an example of resilience in the face of adversity.