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Made In Chelsea's Alice Vanderpump broke down in tears as she opened up about the pressures of being a new mum in this week's episode.
Alice, 24, and co-star husband Sam, 29, welcomed son Marmaduke in February and their journey as first-time parents was documented on Monday's instalment of the E4 reality show.
The couple revealed their pregnancy last year, before Sam was told that without a lifesaving liver transplant, he would only have four to five years left to live after being diagnosed with end-stage liver disease.
Monday's episode saw the couple navigate sleep deprivation as they reflected on their first few weeks as parents, culminating in Alice breaking down in floods of tears as she explained the pressure of being a new mum while coping with Sam's illness.
At a drinks reception to celebrate Sam's birthday, Alice told Yasmine Zweegers, Beks Collins and Abi Luffman about the early days of being a mother.
Alice told her friends: 'I've had no sleep... [being a mum] is the best thing in the world, and I feel like life hasn't even happened since he was born, even with Sam.
'I feel like the relationship we had before having Duke completely different, like that's not even a thing anymore. Seeing him love Duke makes me love him so much more.
'I would say that I take the lion's share of the night, and I think subconsciously a lot of added pressure as well because of, obviously, Sam’s health.
'He’s always extremely tired and I feel like I’m just having to be hyper aware of that. There isn’t any [romance] at the moment, he literally watched me come out of the bathroom in an adult nappy…'
She went on to catch up with the group again over coffee, as they complained about the 'odd occasion she feels like they're at war with each other'.
Alice explained as she struggled to hold back tears: 'He never wants to do anything because he's tired... I worry that he thinks life is boring now.'
Later in the episode, Alice and Sam sat down to discuss the pressure that she was under as they headed for dinner together without their newborn son.
Alice explained: 'I think that this is needed, that we need some time away from Duke, alone, so we can talk some things through that we're both probably feeling.'
Alice explained: 'I think that this is needed, that we need some time away from Duke, alone, so we can talk some things through that we're both probably feeling.'
'I know things have probably been a little bit tough at the moment, and we are a team and 90 per cent of the time, I feel like we act like we're a team.
'Then there's 10 ten per cent where, you know, you said earlier about, am I not appreciating that you have a liver disease?'
Interjecting, Sam responded: 'Yes, because...' but Alice continued: 'Can I finish my point before you answer?
'I feel like every decision that I make in life has in the back of my mind that you have a liver disease and I feel like I do things to try and take the pressure off you.
'You started taking pain meds but then you obviously slept a lot for those two days,' as Sam hit back: 'It's a side effect of pain medication!'
Alice added: 'This is what I'm saying, I'm not having a go. Sam, can you let me talk.'
Sam continued: 'How lucky I am to have you complaining for the side effects of pain medication?' as Alice responded: 'The aim of this conversation is not to argue.'
'You're saying you need from me, well what is it?' Sam asked, to which Alice replied: 'The appreciation is the biggest thing.'
As Alice struggled to hold back her tears, Sam said: 'You are appreciated, I appreciate everything that you do. You're the mother of my child. I don't want you to cry.'
But Alice broke down at the table, telling Sam through her sobs: 'I'm just really struggling, and obviously I appreciate you too and I feel bad that this whole conversation has been has been feeling like an attack.
'Like I'm just being negative, but I've never seen anyone love their child as much as as you love Duke and you do so much so I do appreciate you.
'But I'm just like, some days I'm really struggling. I don't care if you sterilise bottles, it was more that I want you to know the little things I think about because I'm trying to take the pressure off of you.'
'I am appreciative of everything you do; I know you are amazing,' Sam responded as he reached for her hand and offered her some comfort.
'The fact that you feel that you have to explain it; you should never have to explain that to me; I probably do need to tell you more that I appreciate what you're doing because I do. Of course I do.
'Without you; I'd be screwed; so let's come away from this dinner and if you see something someone is doing; let them know that you recognise it.'
'I will start by saying thank you for getting Duke ready for your mum's this evening. I really appreciate it.'
Sam became seriously ill with flu in late 2024, developing sepsis and suffering liver and kidney failure - and was later diagnosed with irreversible end-stage liver disease, putting him on the transplant waiting list.
While Sam was born with two rare conditions, congenital hepatic fibrosis of the liver and polycystic kidney disease, it wasn't until his illness battle that they caused serious complications when his organs began to shut down.
Alice gave birth at the private Kensington Wing of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in February, just two months after she and Sam tied the knot.
In spite of the uncertainty, Sam and Alice chose to prioritise love and decided to marry while he was well enough, ahead of welcoming their baby boy.
He told HELLO! Magazine: 'I was struggling emotionally in the weeks leading up to the wedding because of everything going on with my health. But I have been so over the moon happy these past few days.'
The wedding was arranged within four weeks and was followed by a dinner at The Lanesborough, with the happy couple planning a bigger celebration next year.
Made In Chelsea airs Mondays at 9pm on E4.