Made In Chelsea’s: Funda Önal – Where Is She Now?

She starred on series one as Spencer Matthews' girlfriend so the only way was up, right?

Funda Önal

by Hannah Mellin |
Updated on

Cast your mind back to 2011; a time before Brexit, Tik Tok and coronavirus. A time when reality shows like TOWIE and Made In Chelseacame out and broke the mould.

If you're a Made In Chelsea OG, you'll remember the first series was an absolute DELIGHT, with Spencer Matthews, Hugo Taylor, Millie Mackintosh and Caggie Dunlopthe talk of the King's Road.

But do you remember Spencer's first ever TV romance with model and dancer Funda Önal? She didn't last very long, but we do have fond memories. However, Funda is SO much more than Spencer's ex, here's what she's up to over ten years later.

Funda Önal made in chelsea
©E4/YouTube

Who is Funda Önal?

Funda made a name for herself way back in 2011 when she appeared on reality show Made In Chelsea as Spencer Matthew's (the original reality bad boy) girlfriend. She only lasted one series, though, as Spencer went back to his womanising ways.

Funda pictured in 2013
©Getty

However, Funda wasn't one of those 'failed reality stars' as she already had an established career as a model (starring in a range of campaigns like Nike and Adidas AND music videos for Calvin Harris and Tinie Tempah).

In 2012, she was cast as Sister Josephine in the British indie crime thriller Two Days in the Smoke alongside Matt Di Angelo, Stephen Marcus and Alan Ford.

Funda was also a dancer on The X Factor from 2010 to 2011.

CHECK OUT: 11 things you didn't know about Made in Chelsea

Gallery

Things you didn't know about Made in Chelsea - slider

Made-in-chelsea-facts1 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

The initial idea came from LA based The Hills. Spencer Matthews was pals with Spencer Pratt and Brody Jenner and, he told Closer Online in 2017, "We didn't have anything like that in the UK. "We pitched basically the same as [producer of The Hills and The City] Adam DiVello's idea over here to star in our own show in London."The crossover later made itself known when Spencer Pratt's sister Stephanie arrived in Chelsea in 2013 and started dating Spencer.

Made-in-chelsea-facts2 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

Spencer and Hugo Taylor were involved in the casting process. According to Spenny, the two of them first pitched the idea as The Big Smoke and even filmed a pilot, but it wasn't initially commissioned. When bigwig producers later showed an interest, it was to be called Chelsea Girls, but Spencer and Hugo requested the name be changed and what we know as Made in Chelsea was born.

Made-in-chelsea-facts3 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

Not all scenes are as they seem - Spencer told Closer that they'd often end up filming scenes set in clubs at night in the early morning based on availability of the venue. A bit awkward, no?

Made-in-chelsea-facts4 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

As a result, while the alcohol on set is real, usually if they're filming early scenes they'll "be on the waters". If it's an explosive night time scene though and the producers were after extra drama, then drinking "was encouraged".

Made-in-chelsea-facts5 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

Remember THIS iconic fight? Even in the first series' "some of the fights were more real than others". According to Spenny, "Some of the time you'll take the other side in an argument otherwise there's no scene – the arguments are real but your opinion may not be real."

Made-in-chelsea-facts6 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

He also said that, "In order to prolong drama they would dilute a side of the argument. "Sometimes it was very clear from the beginning who was right and who was wrong – sometimes simple discussions would drag on over the course of a series, for the purpose of entertainment."

Made-in-chelsea-facts7 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

The cast don't know if they're going abroad until just 24 hours in advance. James Taylor told Closer that producers would wait til the last possible minute to film reactions to the news of a holiday, "otherwise it would be acting". And Habbs admitted that Canada (in 2018) was the weirdest trip because "there were two separate groups of friends".

Made-in-chelsea-facts8 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

Lizzo was in Made in Chelsea.Yep, In 2014, Lizzo featured on stage in a gig scene in the show. If that wasn't weird enough (and it's not exactly a secret any more), what's even stranger is that during gig and club scenes there's actually no music played. Extras have revealed that most scenes are filmed in silence so that the mics can pick up dialogue of the main cast.

Made-in-chelsea-facts9 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

Mark-Francis Vandelli and Victoria Baker-Harber are the most "high maintenance" cast members in MiC history, and Mark even said he didn't know and "couldn't care less" about who else was on the show in 2016. "I have invited many of the cast to parties in my house but you can tell there is a distinction between my friends and them, and they don't really make any effort to integrate," he told Digital Spy. "They don't gel. What you must understand is that we don't interact or socialise with any of the other cast," he continued. "Or really ever see them. Occasionally Binky, who I'm always happy to see.""[But] Toff's very smart and she can speak to anyone about anything, she's intelligent and forthcoming."

Made-in-chelsea-facts10 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

When superstar DJ Tom Zanetti briefly filmed scenes for MiC, after meeting his girlfriend Sophie Hermann on Celeb Go Dating, he spoke out about how 'set up' the show was. "In a way, yes, it is set up. They'll set up an amazing setting and a backdrop and then you're given a topic to discuss."That doesn't discredit it at all. It was set up but, then you've got to film it so many times from so many different angles. And then, you get the wides, and then you get the pretties and then you get this and that."

Made-in-chelsea-facts11 of 11
CREDIT: e4

Made-in-chelsea-facts

In 2019, current cast members James Taylor and Sophie 'Habbs' Habboo told Closer that, much like in the Love Island villa, producers are more involved than you think. "Producers make you say things you don't necessarily want to say," said James Taylor. "There's a definite hierarchy and there's 'different rules' for the older cast and the newbies."Habbs agreed, "You forget they're not your friends and so you tell them your deepest darkest secrets and suddenly everyone knows them."

How old is Funda-Önal?

She was born on 28 December 1981, which makes her 40. She was born in Sheffield and is of Turkish descent.

Is Funda Önal married?

She is! To none other than Katie Price's ex Scott Sullivan, who is now a private jet specialist.

Funda and Scott got engaged in November 2016, after he popped the question during a romantic trip to a Malibu vineyard. The pair married in 2017 and a year later announced that they were expecting their first child together in an emotional Instagram post captioned, "A new family is born."

Scott and Katie dated for two years between 2002 and 2004, but their romance came to an explosive end as she had fallen for her now ex Peter Andreon I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!.

Scott was a bit of a lothario back in the day, previously dating Jodie Marsh and Funda's MiC love rival Caggie Dunlop.

scott sullivan
©Getty

How long was Funda Önal on Made In Chelsea?

As mentioned, Funda was only in MIC for a handful of episodes, most notably when Spencer chose to pursue Caggie over her, but she's definitely a face we remember.

WATCH The Top #TV moments of 2021 😍!

Was Funda Önal in Harry Potter?

She sure was! Funda played a Beauxbatons student in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The best claim to fame ever, to be honest.

Look! More Made In Chelsea news!

Made in Chelsea's Reza Amiri-Garroussi: who is the reality star?

Inside Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson's renovated house with DREAMY marble bathroom

Tiffany Watson and Nicola Hughes talk podcasts, BB creams and their favourite £35 blow-dry brush

Does Funda Önal have children?

She does, a baby girl.

Back in 2020, Funda shared her account of recovering from coronavirus at the height of the pandemic. Writing on her Instagram (which is now private), she said, "I tried to run but lungs not 100% after a visit from Corona. Even though it's been over 5 weeks!...

"Thanks for the lovely messages. I'm actually much better now. I've been asked quite a few of the same questions so thought I would share here."

She added, "Luckily my little girl was fine throughout. Husband tested negative."

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us