When Spencer Matthews and Jamie Laing sat down for a candid conversation on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast, the air in the studio felt heavier than the silence that had stretched between them for over two years. The two Made in Chelsea icons — once inseparable fixtures of London’s reality TV scene — finally spoke openly about the fracture that had played out in tabloids, Instagram comments, and late-night gossip columns. What began as a simple misunderstanding over a stag do snowballed into a public estrangement, fueled by absence at a wedding, silence during a grueling charity run, and a cascade of misread signals.
The Wedding That Wasn’t Invited
The rift became impossible to ignore in June 2023, when Jamie Laing married Sophie Habboo, a model and influencer, in a lavish Berkshire ceremony. Spencer Matthews didn’t show. Not because he was away, not because he was ill — but because he wasn’t invited. "I was hurt," Matthews admitted. "I tried to brush it off. I told myself it wasn’t personal. But it was." Laing, for his part, said he never thought to question why Matthews wasn’t there. "I assumed he was busy. Or maybe he didn’t want to come. I didn’t ask. That was my mistake." The truth, as both now concede, was far simpler: Matthews had turned down the invitation to Laing’s stag do in Ibiza earlier that year. "I was sober," Matthews explained. "I didn’t want to be around alcohol. I thought it was no big deal. I should’ve gone for a couple nights anyway. I should’ve made the effort."The Ultramarathon That Wasn’t Seen
The silence deepened in March 2025, when Laing completed his 150-mile ultramarathon for Comic Relief — a grueling, emotionally charged journey that raised exactly £2,053,835 for BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief Limited. He didn’t expect Matthews to run beside him. But he did expect a text. A post. A single word of support. None came. "I saw people I hadn’t spoken to in years show up at the finish line," Laing said. "Ollie Proudlock turned up. I had no idea he was coming. That’s what made it sting more. If he showed up, why didn’t you?" Matthews replied simply: "I wasn’t invited." Laing clarified: "I didn’t invite anyone to the finish line. The BBC organized it. But I didn’t invite you. And that’s on me."The Unspoken Rules of Friendship
What emerged wasn’t just a story of missed invitations — it was a story about how modern friendship, especially under the glare of reality TV, operates on unspoken rules. Laing, who describes himself as "deeply sensitive to rejection," interpreted Matthews’ absence as a personal slight. Matthews, sober since 2018 and rebuilding his life, saw his choices as self-preservation. "I know I’m not a great friend," Matthews said quietly. "I’ve let people down before. I didn’t mean to let you down." Laing nodded. "I thought you didn’t care. I thought you’d moved on. I didn’t realize you were just… quiet." The turning point? "All these articles started coming out," Laing said. "We weren’t even talking, and suddenly we were the headline. That was the worst part."
Reconciliation, Not Resolution
They didn’t solve everything. They didn’t promise to hang out every weekend. But they agreed on one thing: the feud was never about the wedding. Or the ultramarathon. It was about the silence between them. "We fell out because of the press," Matthews said. "Not because of what we did. Because of what everyone thought we did." Laing added: "I was at a selfish point. I didn’t want to be around people who made me feel uncomfortable. And you were trying to protect yourself. We were both just… lost." The reconciliation wasn’t dramatic. No public hug on a red carpet. No Instagram post. Just two men, both 35 and 36, sitting in a quiet studio, finally saying what they’d been avoiding for years. "It’s water under the bridge," Matthews said. Laing smiled. "Yeah. And I’m glad we’re on the same side of it now."What This Means for Made in Chelsea Fans
For fans of Made in Chelsea — the E4 reality series that launched both men’s public lives in 2011 — this isn’t just gossip. It’s closure. The show built its reputation on emotional entanglements, but rarely has a real-life rift carried such weight. Matthews and Laing weren’t just castmates; they were the show’s emotional anchors. Their friendship was the backbone of early seasons. Their fallout became its most talked-about arc. Now, with both men speaking openly about vulnerability, sobriety, and miscommunication, the narrative has shifted from drama to humanity.
What’s Next?
Both have hinted they may appear together on an upcoming season of Made in Chelsea. No official announcement yet. But insiders say producers are "very interested." For now, they’re taking things slow. Matthews is focused on his recovery and new ventures. Laing is expanding his candy brand, Candy Kittens, and preparing for his next charity challenge. But the most important project? Rebuilding trust. One text at a time.Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t Spencer Matthews attend Jamie Laing’s wedding?
Matthews wasn’t invited to the wedding after declining the stag do invitation due to his sobriety. He later admitted he should have attended the stag do for at least a couple of nights to show support, even if he didn’t drink. Laing never realized Matthews felt excluded, assuming his absence was intentional.
Why didn’t Jamie Laing invite Spencer to his ultramarathon finish line?
Laing didn’t personally invite anyone to the finish line — the BBC handled logistics. But he admits he purposefully didn’t reach out to Matthews because they weren’t speaking. He later realized his silence felt like rejection, especially after seeing others show up unexpectedly, including Ollie Proudlock.
How did the media contribute to their feud?
Tabloids and social media spun their silence into a full-blown feud, with headlines accusing them of betrayal and jealousy. Both men say they never intended to feud — but once the articles started, they felt trapped. The public narrative made it harder to reach out, fearing it would look like damage control.
Is Spencer Matthews still sober?
Yes. Matthews has been sober since 2018 after struggling with alcohol. His decision to avoid events centered around drinking was a key part of his recovery, even if it unintentionally hurt friendships. He now acknowledges that sobriety doesn’t mean isolation — and that showing up matters more than what you drink.
What role did Made in Chelsea play in their relationship?
They met on the show in 2011 and became two of its most enduring stars. Their friendship was central to early seasons, making their fallout feel personal to fans. The show’s culture of public drama amplified their silence, turning private hurt into public spectacle — which is ultimately what pushed them to finally talk.
Will they appear together on Made in Chelsea again?
No official announcement has been made, but insiders say producers are eager to reunite them. Their reconciliation offers compelling, authentic storytelling — a rare moment of growth in a genre often defined by conflict. Fans are hopeful, but both men say they’re taking things slow, prioritizing their friendship over TV.