Spencer Matthews has revealed that he finally feels ‘part of his family again’ following his epic desert challenge.
The former Made in Chelsea star, 36, is back in the UK after running an astonishing 30 marathons in 30 days in the scorching heat of the Jordanian desert.
And Spencer has officially raised a staggering £511,870.46 for Global’s Make Some Noise in the process.
After achieving the incredible goal he has now told how it has helped mend years of ‘disappointment’ his family – including his parents – had in him due to his drinking.
Spencer is now sober after a ‘dark period in his life’ where binge drinking took over and negatively impacted his physical and mental health.
Spencer Matthews has revealed that he finally feels ‘part of his family again’ following his epic desert challenge
The former Made in Chelsea star, 36, is back in the UK after running an astonishing 30 marathons in 30 days in the scorching heat of the Jordanian desert (seen with kids Gigi and Theodore)
He told The Mirror: ‘I feel part of the family again. My family have never been more proud of me and I’ve longed for that. When I had that dark period of my life with the booze… you can tell when your parents are disappointed.
‘I’ve lived with a lot of disappointment within my family. Love, but disappointment. What a shame you’re not fulfilling the potential we know you have. What a shame you go out so often and don’t put time into who you could become.
‘But now there’s only proud hugs. My family are incredible, they’ve never turfed or left me out and it’s always been good between us. Just things are better now. I’ve been carrying around a lot of shame and it’s so nice to be free of it.’
He added that completing the challenge brought both his parents to tears and that he has earned the respect of his brother James – who is married to Pippa Middleton.
Last week Spencer was officially awarded his Guinness World Record as he was welcomed back to Global HQ for the Heart Breakfast show.
As Spencer joined hosts JK and Zoe Hardman it was revealed the star had officially raised a staggering £511,870.46 for Global’s Make Some Noise.
As the incredible sum was announced, Spencer exclaimed: ‘No way! That’s literally sky-rocketed!’
Spencer was then officially awarded his Guinness World Record for most marathon distances run on sand.
After achieving the incredible goal he has now told how it has helped mend years of ‘disappointment’ his family – including his parents (seen) – had in him due to his drinking
And Spencer has officially raised a staggering £511,870.46 for Global’s Make Some Noise in the process (seen with wife Vogue Williams)
Spencer’s epic desert challenge saw him run over 42.2km or 26.2 miles, every single day
The official confirmed: ‘For the official Guinness World Record title for the most marathon distances completed on sand in one month, I can confirm after checking your evidence, you completed 30 you are officially amazing. Congratulations!’
As the whole room cheered, Spencer joked: ‘Thank you so much. I was just thinking it would be so awkward if he was like ‘actually you came up slightly short’.’
‘Is it fair to say that this is the biggest challenge you’ve ever had to do?’ asked JK.
‘Absolutely,’ confirmed Spencer: ‘Physically, mentally, overall it was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I will always remember it and look back on it really fondly.
‘But it was tough, you know?’
Overwhelmed he continued: ‘That’s insane. To be honest, the whole time that I was out there running, the charities were such a massive driver for me.
‘And, as I said earlier, the support and the generosity shown throughout the challenge was completely overwhelming.
‘And even just the messages on socials, I’ve never felt anything like that level of support for anything in my life. So, I can’t thank you all enough.’
Spencer is hoping the donations will continue to pour in as he added: ‘You know, I see this very much as – we only just finished this, I’m hoping for another few weeks of fundraising now.
‘I’m going to think about ways to continue to raise money for these incredible causes and the great work that Global’s Make Some Noise do.
‘So, if you haven’t yet donated, please consider donating, all your money makes such a big difference to incredible families and children who really deserve the help, so please consider it.’
However, while he pushed his body to the limit and underwent an intense training regime for the incredible feat, Spencer is not done yet as he plans for another world record.
Speaking exclusively to The Mail as he crossed the finish line, the TV personality told how aside from his marriage to Vogue Williams and their three children, the charity marathons were his greatest physical and mental achievements.
He explained: ‘ If you’re excluding things like kids and marrying the perfect woman then yes, of course it is physically. Starting my business was obviously a big deal, but in terms of physical and mental achievement, yes, of course.
‘This is one of the greatest feelings of my life, succeeding in this.’
Spencer is however keen to add more marathons to his already impressive CV, but he doesn’t quite know in what capacity yet.
He shared: ‘I’ll absolutely go after another world record, probably at some point. I’m 36 so this has been awesome. I absolutely will do more in this space.
‘I don’t know what that looks like now, the idea to do this just came to me one evening.’
He added of his initial idea for his 30 marathon task: ‘I was sat there, and I suddenly thought, boom, this is what I want. And we just cracked on and did it. I have not had another moment like that yet, but I’d give it a couple of months.’
For now though, he’s content with enjoying his favourite meal and pampering himself at home.
He added that completing the challenge brought both his parents to tears and that he has earned the respect of his brother James – who is married to Pippa Middleton (seen together)
Spencer is however keen to add more marathons to his already impressive CV, but he doesn’t quite know in what capacity yet
During his marathons marathon he dined on a boiled goat’s head and has lost ten kilos in weight
On what he plans to do first, he said: ‘I’ll go home, probably have a shower. I’m going to have a takeaway with my brother in law on Thursday night. Can’t wait.
‘My favorite restaurant in London is Strakers and Dorian, but don’t tell Straker that, because they’re next door to each other.
He added: ‘This has been a beautiful experience. This isn’t something that I’m looking to recover from. I’m keen to crack on.’
During his marathons marathon he dined on a boiled goat’s head and has lost ten kilos in weight.
