Spencer Matthews won’t be watching his wife Vogue Williams emerge from the Australian jungle this week—not because of drama, not because of distance, but because he’s racing against time, sweat, and saltwater across seven continents. The former Spencer Matthews, 37, who rose to fame on Made in Chelsea, is deep into Project Seven, an audacious endurance feat that demands he complete seven full Ironman triathlons—each a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run—in just 21 days. He’s currently in Cape Town, South Africa, having already conquered events in Europe and Arizona, and needs to finish three more before the deadline to claim a Guinness World Record. Meanwhile, his wife, Vogue Williams, 40, the Irish TV presenter and model, is deep into her own trial: the 2025 season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, filmed in the Australian bush and airing nightly on ITV1, STV, and ITVX.
Two Journeys, One Overlapping Deadline
It’s a cruel twist of timing. Williams entered the jungle on November 19, 2025, introducing herself to viewers with a candid video on ITV’s YouTube channel, noting her wedding and engagement rings, her shoulder-length dark blonde hair, and her hazel eyes with a golden tint. She admitted she hesitated—weeks away from her kids, no Wi-Fi, no comfort. But she went anyway. "I had to face my fears," she said, according to The Tab. Matthews, meanwhile, was already halfway through his global endurance marathon when she stepped into the jungle. The schedules collided. No fly-outs. No surprise bridge appearances. No tearful reunion at the end. The couple, married since 2017, both committed to their own missions—and neither is backing down.
What Project Seven Actually Means
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a fitness challenge. It’s a logistical nightmare. An Ironman triathlon takes elite athletes 10 to 17 hours to complete. Doing one is a lifetime achievement. Doing seven, across seven continents, in three weeks? That’s the stuff of myth. Matthews is flying between continents with only hours between events, sleeping on planes, eating protein paste between races, and battling jet lag, altitude, and tropical heat—all while keeping his body from breaking down. Sources say his team has arranged private jets, local medical crews at each location, and strict recovery protocols. He’s already completed events in Europe and Arizona, and now he’s tackling Africa, Antarctica, and South America. If he finishes, he’ll be the first person ever to do it in under 21 days. The pressure is immense. And he knows his wife is watching from a jungle, probably wondering if he’s okay.
A Contrast in Jungle History
There’s irony here, thick enough to chew. In 2016, Matthews was kicked off I’m A Celebrity after just two days—not for being too tough, but for being too desperate. At 26, he’d secretly taken steroids to bulk up for a charity boxing match. "Vanity," he later told Cosmopolitan UK, "had been the reason." He admitted he’d planned to taper off gradually, but time ran out. "I pushed back," he said, "but ultimately the show’s duty of care prevailed." He left with his head down, his reputation bruised. Now, nearly a decade later, he’s doing the opposite: pushing his body to its absolute limit—not for vanity, but for purpose. For legacy. For a record that will outlive any reality TV moment.
What About the Split Rumors?
Amid the silence from Matthews, rumors started swirling. Some tabloids suggested the couple might be drifting apart, pointing to Williams’ recent Instagram post where she noted Matthews hadn’t appeared in her Affric campaign content. "I could only assume it was because he wasn’t in my content," she reportedly said, "but I’m like, maybe it’s because he’s going away as well on his thing for three weeks." It’s a telling line. She’s not accusing. She’s explaining. And she’s giving him space. Their relationship has always been public—but never performative. This time, they’re both doing something deeply personal, and choosing not to turn it into content.
Why This Matters Beyond the Spotlight
This isn’t just about two celebrities with busy schedules. It’s about how we define modern commitment. Williams chose to face her fears in the jungle. Matthews chose to test his body’s limits across the globe. Neither is doing it for fame. Both are doing it because they’ve built lives where growth matters more than comfort. For viewers, it’s a quiet reminder: real strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s showing up when no one’s watching. Sometimes, it’s choosing a goal so hard, you can’t even be there for the person you love most.
What’s Next?
Matthews has three Ironman events left: one in Antarctica (scheduled for November 23), one in South America (November 27), and the final one in Oceania (November 29). If he finishes, Guinness World Records will verify his record by December 5. Williams is expected to exit the jungle around December 1, meaning their reunion will happen in London, not on the bridge. No cameras. No producers. Just two people who’ve spent weeks apart, each chasing something bigger than reality TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t Spencer Matthews appear on I’m A Celebrity to support Vogue Williams?
Spencer Matthews is committed to completing seven Ironman triathlons across seven continents within 21 days as part of his "Project Seven" challenge. The schedule conflicts directly with the filming dates of I’m A Celebrity in Australia, making travel impossible. Even if he wanted to fly out, the physical toll and strict timing of his events make it logistically and medically unfeasible.
Has Spencer Matthews ever been on I’m A Celebrity before?
Yes. In 2016, Matthews was removed from the show after just two days when producers discovered he was secretly taking steroids to bulk up for a charity boxing match. He later called it a "serious error of judgement," admitting vanity drove his decision. His 2025 absence is unrelated to that incident—this time, he’s being celebrated for pushing his body to the limit, not breaking rules.
What’s the significance of Project Seven?
Project Seven is an unprecedented endurance challenge requiring seven full Ironman triathlons on seven continents in 21 days. No one has ever completed it in that timeframe. If Matthews succeeds, he’ll set a new Guinness World Record. Each event takes 10–17 hours, and the travel between continents—often across extreme climates—adds layers of physical and mental strain no athlete has faced before.
Is Vogue Williams struggling in the jungle?
According to reports, Williams did struggle with the decision to join, primarily due to being away from her children for weeks. But she’s described her participation as "facing her fears." She’s appeared resilient on camera, engaging with challenges and fellow contestants. Her emotional honesty has made her one of the most talked-about stars of the 2025 season, despite the absence of her husband’s support.
Will Spencer and Vogue reunite on camera?
No. The show’s famous bridge reunion won’t happen for them this year. Matthews won’t be in Australia, and the production team hasn’t announced any special appearance. Their reunion will be private, likely in London after Williams exits the jungle around December 1. This absence, ironically, speaks louder than any staged moment ever could.
Where can I watch I’m A Celebrity 2025?
Episodes air nightly at 9pm on ITV1 and STV in the UK, and are available to stream on ITVX. The 2025 season features 16 celebrities, including Vogue Williams, and runs through early December. The finale is expected to be broadcast live on December 1, with the winner crowned after a public vote.