On September 24, 2025, Spencer Charles Matthews and Jamie Edward Laing ended a two-year public rift that had fractured their decade-long friendship — one forged on the reality TV show Made in Chelsea. The reconciliation, aired across their respective podcasts Untapped and Great Company, wasn’t just about saying sorry. It was about untangling years of hurt, miscommunication, and the toxic spotlight of tabloid media that turned private slights into public drama.
How It All Started: A Stag Do That Wasn’t Just a Party
The feud didn’t explode overnight. It began in 2023, when Matthews, who’d been sober since 2018, declined an invitation to Laing’s stag do. To Matthews, it was a simple choice — no alcohol, no party. But to Laing, it felt personal. "I had my stag do and you didn’t want to come," Laing recalled on his podcast. "Which was fine, I get that. But for me, that was like — well, why wouldn’t you want to come?" The rejection stung. It wasn’t about the drinks; it was about feeling pushed away by someone he considered a best friend.The Wedding Snub That Broke the Friendship
Then came the wedding. In late 2023, Laing married social media influencer Sophie Habboo in a lavish London ceremony. Matthews found out he wasn’t invited — not from Laing, not from a text, but from The Daily Mail. "I saw my name wasn’t on the guest list," Matthews said, voice cracking during the podcast. "I thought we were best friends. I didn’t even get a call. That’s when I knew something was broken." Laing, meanwhile, had been quietly distancing himself. "We weren’t friendly at the time," he admitted. "I didn’t think you’d come. I didn’t want to invite someone who didn’t want to be around me." The silence that followed was deafening. Matthews stopped posting about Laing. Laing stopped checking in. What had been a close bond — one built on shared laughter on Made in Chelsea and nights out in Chelsea and Notting Hill — became a ghost town.
The Ultramarathon That Became a Media Circus
The breaking point came in March 2025. Laing ran 150 miles over five days for Comic Relief, raising £2,053,835 for UK charities. Fans expected support from his Made in Chelsea crew. But Matthews didn’t show up at the finish line. He didn’t post live updates. He didn’t even comment until after the race ended. "I waited for the phone to ring," Matthews confessed. "It never did." Laing, exhausted and emotional at the finish, was blindsided. "I had no idea Ollie Proudlock was coming," he said, referring to fellow cast member Oliver Proudlock. "Things were organised by the BBC. I didn’t know who was coming. But I knew you weren’t." The press pounced. Headlines screamed: "Made in Chelsea Friends at War." "Laing’s Charity Run Marred by Feud." For both men, it was devastating. "All these articles started coming out saying we weren’t friends," Laing said. "And I think that was very upsetting for both of us. It wasn’t about us anymore. It was about clicks. And my charity? No one talked about the money raised. They talked about us not talking."The Reconciliation: Honest Words, Heavy Hearts
The turning point came when Matthews reached out — not for PR, not for clout, but because he missed his friend. "I’m pretty hurt by that," he told Laing, referring to the wedding. "I tried to brush it under the table. I’m sure it wasn’t malicious from you. At least, I’d like to think it wasn’t." Laing, in turn, admitted his own fragility. "I’m hyper-sensitive to rejection," he said. "When you pulled away, I took it as proof you didn’t want me in your life. I thought you were trying to separate yourself." Matthews didn’t deny it. "I was. I didn’t mean to, but I was. I know I’m not a great friend. I’ve let people down before. I let you down." Laing nodded. "I should’ve called. I should’ve asked. I assumed the worst. And that’s on me." They didn’t blame each other. They blamed the silence. The assumptions. The media circus that turned a personal rift into a public spectacle.
What Comes Next: A New Chapter
Both men are committed to rebuilding. Not with grand gestures, but with small ones — a text, a call, showing up even when it’s awkward. They’re done letting headlines define their relationship. "We’ve spent two years thinking the worst about each other," Matthews said. "Turns out, we were both just scared to ask if we still mattered." Laing added: "I’m not saying we’ll be best friends again tomorrow. But I’m glad we’re talking. That’s the first step." Their reconciliation isn’t just about two reality stars. It’s a quiet lesson for anyone who’s ever let a misunderstanding fester. Sometimes, the biggest fights aren’t over big things. They’re over silence. Over missed calls. Over assumptions that grow louder than the truth.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Spencer Matthews not attend Jamie Laing’s wedding?
Matthews wasn’t invited — he found out via The Daily Mail, not from Laing directly. He’d already felt sidelined after declining the stag do due to his sobriety, and the wedding snub confirmed his fears that their friendship had ended. He later admitted he should’ve reached out, but assumed Laing no longer wanted him around.
Why didn’t Jamie Laing invite Spencer Matthews to his Comic Relief ultramarathon?
Laing didn’t invite Matthews because they weren’t speaking. The finish line attendance was coordinated by the BBC, not Laing personally. He assumed Matthews wouldn’t come, and didn’t want to force the issue. He was surprised when Ollie Proudlock showed up — and even more surprised when Matthews didn’t.
How did the media fuel this feud?
Outlets like The Daily Mail and The Standard turned private silence into public drama, running headlines that framed the ultramarathon as a "friendship breakdown." This overshadowed the £2 million raised for Comic Relief. Both men later said the media narrative made them feel more isolated and hurt, not less.
What role did sobriety play in the conflict?
Matthews’ sobriety since 2018 led him to decline the stag do, which Laing interpreted as rejection. But Matthews didn’t see it that way — he simply didn’t want to attend a drinking-heavy event. The misunderstanding revealed how different life paths (and social expectations) can create rifts, even among close friends.
Are Spencer Matthews and Jamie Laing still on Made in Chelsea?
Both were core cast members of Made in Chelsea from the show’s 2011 debut through the mid-2020s. Matthews left in 2023, and Laing stepped back after Season 21 in 2024. Their reconciliation comes as fans increasingly revisit their dynamic as one of the show’s most enduring — and now, most healed — relationships.
What’s the significance of Comic Relief in this story?
Comic Relief, founded in 1985 by Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry, is a major UK charity. Laing’s ultramarathon raised over £2 million — a huge achievement. But the media’s obsession with the feud made it harder for the public to celebrate the cause. Both men now say they want their reconciliation to redirect attention back to the charity, not their personal drama.
