Sam Vanderpump is a firm favourite on Made In Chelsea. And now, with the show back for its 29th season, fans have been introduced to Sam's fiancé, Alice Yaxley.
Alice is a 23-year-old model who is well connected in the Chelsea world. It's safe to say that Sam and Alice have had a whirlwind romance, getting engaged after just six months of dating. Here's everything we know.
How long have Sam Vanderpump and Alice Yaxley been together?
Sam and Alice started dating in July last year, and have been pretty inseparable ever since. Alice caught Sam's eye at her birthday party, and the two went on their first date soon after.
The pair were introduced through their Chelsea connections. Alice met Reza years ago and then was reintroduced to him the night she met Sam. She also knowsRuby, Lauren and Tina.
How did Sam Vanderump propose to Alice Yaxley?
The couple announced their engagement with an adorable Instagram post. Sharing a collection of pictures from their engagement shoot, Sam captioned the post: 'She said yes.' Sam also got a congratulatory message from his Aunt, Lisa Vanderpump. In the comments section of the post, Lisa wrote: 'Perfect couple.'
What has Sam Vanderpump said about the engagement?
Sam is clearly smitten with Alice. In an interview with OK!, he explained how he proposed to Alice in 2024, after their whirlwind romance, and following health struggles last year. 'When you know, you know,' he said. Alice added: 'We’re both on cloud nine at the moment.'
Sam went on to talk about how Alice had been supportive through his health battles. 'Alice and I have only been dating for about six months, but we’ve gone through such a lot in such a short period of time. From day dot, Alice has been with me pretty much 24/7. And over Christmas we went through a bit of an episode together where I got really, really ill,' he said, adding 'I got an infection due to a genetic disease I’ve got, which led to sepsis and it ended up quite bad. I was in hospital and it was a close call, I could have died.'
He continued: 'That experience brought us very, very close. I think I walked out of that looking at Alice and thinking, "This is the girl I want to marry." So, my thinking was, "If I’m saying that now, why on earth am I waiting?"' Sam even asked his MIC co-stars to help him plan the grand engagement.
'I planned the whole engagement, asked her family and got permission from her dad. I was worried about what they would say since we hadn’t been together long, but everyone was so supportive. It was only the second time I’d met Alice’s dad and he said everything I’d want him to say! It was great. I got help from Ollie and Sophie with ring shopping, which was fun. Sophie was literally getting a ring-measuring kit out during dinner and asking Alice what shapes she liked – not suspicious at all!'
When is Sam Vanderpump's wedding?
Their relationship might be moving quickly, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see the couple actually tie the knot. Sam told The Mirror the wedding won't take place until 2027. 'We’re doing some things for the show and a cast celebration. But for the wedding itself, we like the idea of an intimate family wedding abroad, then a big reception party in the UK,' he said.