When Vogue Williams stepped off the bus into the Australian jungle on November 13, 2023, she knew one thing for sure: her husband wouldn’t be waiting for her at the bridge. Spencer Matthews, her husband of five years and a former Made in Chelsea star, won’t be there to greet her when she exits I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!Murwillumbah, New South Wales—not because of drama, not because of past baggage, but because he’s locked into a three-week professional commitment. The reason, she confirmed in an Evening Standard interview on November 17, 2023, is simple: work. "Maybe it’s because he’s going away as well on his thing for three weeks," she said, brushing off rumors that his absence was tied to their rocky history with the show.
A Past Haunted by Steroids
But it’s impossible to talk about Matthews’ absence without remembering his own explosive exit from the same show seven years earlier. In 2016, at just 26, he was pulled from the jungle after only two days—not for lack of grit, but because he’d been secretly taking anabolic steroids to bulk up for a charity boxing match. "Vanity, I suppose," he later told Cosmopolitan UK, describing the decision as a "serious error of judgement." He’d planned to taper off slowly, but the show’s medical team flagged the risk. "I pushed back," he admitted. "But ultimately, the show’s duty of care prevailed and bags had to be packed."
That moment still echoes. Matthews was one of the shortest-serving contestants in the show’s 21-season history. The incident didn’t just end his run—it became a defining chapter in his public narrative. Now, as his wife steps into the same jungle, the past looms large. But as ITV Studios producer and entertainment reporter Michael Slavin clarified in a November 19, 2023, piece for LADbible, "Matthews will be unable to support his wife Vogue in the jungle, but it’s nothing to do with this two-day stint on the show." The message was clear: this time, it’s not about scandal. It’s about scheduling.
Life Beyond the Jungle
Back home in their £4.7 million Richmond upon Thames mansion, life carries on. The couple, married since August 18, 2018, share two young children: daughter Marnie Rose, born May 19, 2020, and son Otis, born June 27, 2021. Their home, featured in TV Guide’s November 2023 profile, is a world away from the mud, insects, and rationed meals of the Australian bush. Yet, as Williams noted, the pressures of fame don’t vanish when the cameras stop rolling. "We’re both in this weird bubble," she said. "You think you’re doing something normal—like supporting your partner—and then you realize the world’s watching every minute you don’t show up."
Meanwhile, the 2023 season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!Murwillumbah, New South Wales continues nightly at 9pm UTC on ITV1 and ITVX. The format remains unchanged since its 2002 debut: celebrities endure grueling "Bushtucker Trials," live on minimal food, and face public vote-offs until a "King" or "Queen of the Jungle" is crowned. This year’s lineup includes Sam Thompson, Tasha Ghouri, and Danny Jones, all battling under the ever-present gaze of presenters Ant & Dec, who’ve hosted every season since the beginning.
Why This Matters
It’s easy to dismiss this as celebrity gossip. But behind the headlines is a quiet truth: reality TV families are constantly juggling public expectation with private reality. Matthews’ absence isn’t just a scheduling conflict—it’s a reminder that even in the hyper-visible world of reality TV, people still have lives. Careers. Responsibilities. Boundaries.
Williams didn’t ask for pity. She didn’t spin it as a slight. She simply stated the facts: he’s working. And in a culture that demands constant togetherness—even from spouses on opposite sides of the world—that’s quietly revolutionary. It’s not about being present for every moment. It’s about being honest about why you’re not.
What’s Next?
Williams is expected to exit the jungle by late November, with the final vote scheduled for December 3, 2023. Matthews has not commented publicly on his return to the spotlight, but insiders say he’s focused on expanding his personal brand, including a new fitness coaching venture he’s quietly developing. Meanwhile, ITV Studios is already planning for the 2024 season, with rumors swirling about a possible return for Matthews—this time, as a guest judge, not a contestant.
Behind the Scenes: The Show’s Legacy
Since its debut on November 15, 2002, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!Murwillumbah, New South Wales has become a British institution. Filmed at the same jungle site since 2002, the show has launched careers, broken records, and sparked national conversations—from the ethics of forced starvation to the mental toll of isolation. Matthews’ 2016 departure was one of the first times the show’s medical protocols were publicly scrutinized. Now, with Williams competing, viewers are watching not just for the trials, but for the emotional arc of a couple navigating fame, family, and forgiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why wasn’t Spencer Matthews at the bridge for Vogue Williams’ exit?
Spencer Matthews was unavailable due to a pre-scheduled three-week professional commitment that conflicted with the timing of Vogue Williams’ expected exit from the show. He confirmed his absence was unrelated to his 2016 steroid scandal, with ITV Studios and entertainment reporters clarifying that his absence was purely logistical, not personal.
What happened to Spencer Matthews during his 2016 appearance on I’m A Celebrity?
Matthews was removed from the show after just two days in 2016 after it was discovered he had been secretly using anabolic steroids to bulk up for a charity boxing match. The production team deemed his condition unsafe, citing health risks. He later called it a "serious error of judgement," acknowledging his vanity and poor judgment in risking his health for appearance.
Where is I’m A Celebrity filmed, and why is it always in Australia?
The show has been filmed in the Dungay Creek area near Murwillumbah, New South Wales, since 2002. The remote jungle location provides isolation, challenging terrain, and a dramatic backdrop for the "Bushtucker Trials." Despite high costs, ITV maintains the site because its authenticity and logistical infrastructure are unmatched.
How long has ITV been producing I’m A Celebrity, and who hosts it?
ITV Studios has produced the show since its debut on November 15, 2002. Presenters Ant & Dec (Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly) have hosted every season without interruption, becoming synonymous with the program. Their chemistry and humor have helped sustain the show’s popularity across more than two decades.
Are Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews planning to return to the show?
While Williams has not confirmed future appearances, insiders suggest she may return as a guest or mentor. Matthews, meanwhile, is reportedly in talks with ITV to appear as a guest judge in 2024—a symbolic redemption arc that could close the chapter on his 2016 controversy without re-entering the jungle himself.
How do the couple manage their public image with two young children?
The couple has kept their children largely out of the spotlight, with only occasional, carefully curated appearances. Their £4.7 million London home in Richmond upon Thames is described as a sanctuary from media scrutiny. They’ve spoken about prioritizing family stability, even when their careers demand public exposure—balancing fame with the need for normalcy.
