When Jamie Laing and Spencer Matthews sat down for their first honest conversation in over two years, they weren’t just talking about a broken friendship—they were untangling two decades of shared history, unspoken hurts, and the quiet erosion of trust. The revelation came during Episode 38 of Laing’s podcast Great Company, London, released on September 23, 2025, at 23:03 UTC. What began as a casual chat between former Made in Chelsea co-stars turned into a raw, emotional reckoning—one that finally answered the question fans had been asking since 2023: Did they really fall out?
The Stag Do That Broke the Ice
It started with a simple invitation that went unanswered. In 2022, Laing planned his bachelor party ahead of marrying Sophie Habboo in 2023. Matthews, who had been sober since 2018 after years of battling alcoholism, politely declined. He didn’t think it was a big deal. He’d been sober for four years. He’d skipped parties before. But Laing took it differently. "I had had my stag do and you didn’t want to come to the stag do, which was fine, which I get," Laing said on the podcast. "But for me that was like ‘Well why wouldn’t you want to come to the stag do?’" It wasn’t just about drinking. It was about presence. About choosing to be there. And to Laing, Matthews’ absence felt like a rejection.Matthews, meanwhile, felt blindsided. "I was pretty hurt by that," he admitted. "I tried to brush that under the table. I’m sure it wasn’t malicious from you, at least I’d like to think it wasn’t." But the wound festered. When Laing’s wedding invitations went out in early 2023, Matthews wasn’t on the list. Not because of any formal decision—but because no one had thought to ask. "It just didn’t come up," Laing later said. "I didn’t think about it. I just assumed you wouldn’t want to come. After the stag do... I didn’t know what to say."
The Ultra-Marathon That Highlighted the Silence
The rift widened in March 2024, when Laing ran 150 miles over five days for Comic Relief, raising exactly £2,053,835. He was exhausted, in pain, barely able to speak at the finish line. He saw Oliver Proudlock and other Made in Chelsea alumni cheering him on. But Matthews wasn’t there. Not even a text. "At the finish line, loads of people did turn up," Laing said. "But I also totally get you and I weren’t as friendly at the time. So, in our relationship here, if I wasn’t as friendly with you and you weren’t as friendly with me, then why would you turn up? We weren’t talking as much."Matthews didn’t argue. He just nodded. "I didn’t know what to say," he admitted. "I felt like I’d lost my place in your life. And I didn’t know how to get it back."
Two Decades of Shared History
They met in 2003 at age 15, boarding school boys from London’s upper-middle-class circles. By 2011, they were cast together on Made in Chelsea, where their chemistry—both on-screen and off—made them fan favorites. Laing co-founded Candy Kittens in 2011, selling it to Mondelez International for £30 million in 2017. Matthews, meanwhile, struggled with addiction, which culminated in his decision to get sober in 2018 after the death of his brother in childhood left him emotionally numb.Laing, too, had been carrying a heavy secret: crippling anxiety in his twenties, which he never spoke about. "I was so in the thick of running," he said of the ultra-marathon, "and so in so much pain... I was only thinking about getting up the next day and being able to run."
The Conversation That Changed Everything
It took Matthews reaching out—unprompted—to suggest they record the episode. "In the last few years, our friendship has begun to wane," Laing admitted. "And it’s a question I’m asked all the time: ‘Have you and Spencer fallen out?’ To tell the truth, I’ve never really known the answer to this…"That conversation, recorded over 68 minutes, was the first time in 20 years they’d had "two very serious conversations" about their relationship. They didn’t fix everything. But they finally named the pain. They acknowledged the miscommunication. They admitted their silence had been the real enemy.
"Friendships are important," Laing said, "and worth fighting for."
What Comes Next?
The episode has since been cross-promoted on Matthews’ podcast, Untapped, where Laing appeared as a guest. Both men say they’re taking things slowly. No grand reunions. No public declarations. Just texts. Coffee. The occasional call.It’s not a fairy-tale ending. But it’s real. And sometimes, that’s enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why wasn’t Spencer Matthews invited to Jamie Laing’s wedding?
Matthews wasn’t formally excluded—he simply wasn’t invited because Laing assumed he wouldn’t want to attend after declining the stag do. Laing later admitted he didn’t think to ask, and Matthews didn’t feel comfortable bringing it up. The absence wasn’t intentional but became symbolic of their growing emotional distance.
How did sobriety play a role in their rift?
Matthews’ sobriety since 2018 made him decline the stag do, which Laing misinterpreted as personal rejection. But Matthews felt his choice was respected, and he was hurt when it became a point of contention. His recovery involved confronting deep grief from losing his brother as a child—making social events emotionally complex, not just about alcohol.
What impact did Made in Chelsea have on their friendship?
Their on-screen chemistry on Made in Chelsea from 2011–2016 helped cement their real-life bond. Fans saw them as inseparable, which made their silence after 2023 all the more jarring. The show created expectations they struggled to live up to privately.
Did Jamie Laing’s Comic Relief run deepen the divide?
Yes. Matthews’ absence during Laing’s 150-mile, £2 million effort was the breaking point for Laing, who felt unsupported in a moment of extreme vulnerability. But Matthews, overwhelmed by his own emotional baggage, didn’t know how to show up. Neither spoke up—until the podcast.
What are they doing now to rebuild?
They’re taking small steps: text messages, occasional calls, and appearances on each other’s podcasts. There’s no public reconciliation tour. Just quiet, intentional effort. Laing says he’s learning to ask instead of assume. Matthews says he’s learning to speak up before silence becomes a wall.
Is this the end of their public friendship?
No. Both men emphasized that their bond, though fractured, is still meaningful. They’ve chosen honesty over appearances. The podcast wasn’t about drama—it was about repair. And in a world obsessed with celebrity feuds, that’s the real story.