Vogue Williams Enters I'm A Celebrity Jungle as Husband Spencer Matthews Stays Home Amid Past Steroid Scandal

When Vogue Williams stepped into the Australian jungle on November 19, 2025, she didn’t just leave behind her home—she left behind a husband whose past made him ineligible to join her, even as a supporter. The 40-year-old Irish TV personality and podcast host entered I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!Murwillumbah, New South Wales as a latecomer contestant, joining a lineup that includes rapper Aitch, Martin Kemp, and Ruby Wax. But while fans tuned in for the drama, the real story unfolding behind the scenes involved Spencer Matthews, her 37-year-old husband and former Made in Chelsea star, who remains at home caring for their three children—Theodore, Gigi, and Otto—while wrestling with the legacy of his own 2015 I'm A CelebrityMurwillumbah, New South Wales scandal.

Why Spencer Matthews Can’t Be in the Jungle

It’s not just that he’s busy with the kids. It’s that the producers won’t let him. Matthews was removed from the 2015 season after publicly admitting to using anabolic steroids during his time in the jungle. The incident, which drew widespread media scrutiny and led to his early exit, created a precedent: anyone with a history of performance-enhancing drug use is barred from returning—not as a contestant, but even as a guest or supporter. That rule, quietly enforced since 2015, now applies to Matthews. "It’s nothing to do with this two-day stint on the show," wrote LADbible’s Michael Slavin, clarifying that the restriction isn’t about logistics—it’s about policy. Meanwhile, Matthews has spent the last five years rebuilding his life. After hitting rock bottom with alcohol dependency, he admitted on the Everything I Know About Me podcast: "There was a certainty that I would lose Vogue if I carried on drinking the way I was drinking." His recovery led him to launch CleanCo, an alcohol-free spirit brand. But he later realized his sobriety had made him "sanctimonious." Now, he allows himself the occasional drink—though the couple still keeps no alcohol in the house. "We just never want it," Williams told Elizabeth Day on her podcast. It’s not fear. It’s peace.

A Marriage Rebuilt on Change

Their relationship has become a quiet case study in how people can evolve without breaking apart. Williams, who hosts a popular podcast and has written about motherhood and mental health, has often spoken about the "before and after" of Matthews’ sobriety. "As soon as he did that, he just achieved so much more," she said. His career shifted from reality TV fame to entrepreneurship. Their home became a sanctuary—not just for the kids, but for recovery. The irony isn’t lost on fans: a man once removed for steroid use is now a symbol of redemption, while his wife enters a show known for physical endurance and psychological strain. Yet Matthews won’t be there to cheer her on. No phone calls. No visits. No emotional support from the sidelines. Just text messages and the occasional video call between challenges.

The Weight of Being the "Other Half"

Williams isn’t the first celebrity spouse to enter the jungle, but she’s the first whose partner was booted for a controversial reason that still echoes. In 2018, when Katie Price entered, her then-husband Peter Andre was allowed to appear in a special episode—no questions asked. But Matthews’ past is treated differently. The BBC’s Radio 5 Live noted in 2023 that ITV’s internal guidelines now classify steroid admissions as "permanent disqualifiers" for any involvement with the show. It’s a double standard, some argue. But the producers likely see it as protecting the show’s integrity. After all, I'm A Celebrity markets itself as a test of natural resilience. Steroids, even if used decades ago, contradict that brand.

What’s Next for the Matthews Family

With Williams expected to remain in the jungle for three weeks, Matthews is managing a household that’s become a model of quiet discipline. The children are in school. CleanCo’s new line of zero-proof cocktails is launching next month. And Matthews, despite his own history with the show, has become a reluctant ambassador for recovery—not by choice, but because his story keeps being told. Williams, for her part, seems unfazed. In her Instagram post announcing her entry, she wrote: "Beep beep, podcast pro Vogue Williams is moving away from the mic and into the Jungle! 🎙️" There’s no mention of him. But she doesn’t need to. Everyone knows.

Behind the Scenes: A Show That Never Forgets

I'm A Celebrity has aired since 2002, and its production team keeps meticulous records. Past contestants who violated rules—whether through drug use, bullying, or inappropriate behavior—are flagged in internal databases. Matthews’ 2015 steroid admission is still active in their system. Even if he wanted to help, even if he begged, the answer would be no. It’s a reminder that reality TV doesn’t just capture moments—it archives them. Forever.