# Jamie Laing
**Jamie Laing** (born 1988) is a British television personality, presenter, podcaster and entrepreneur who first became known on the E4 structured reality series *Made in Chelsea* and later built a business and broadcasting career around the vegan confectionery brand Candy Kittens and the podcast company JamPot Productions.[1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) • [2](https://www.timeout.com/london/city-life/jamie-laing-2024-cover-interview)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1988, Oxfordshire, England[1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) |
| Breakthrough | Joined *Made in Chelsea* in 2011; left in 2021 after 209 episodes[1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) |
| Business | Co-founded vegan confectionery brand Candy Kittens in 2012 with Ed Williams; sales rose from £9.4 million to £12 million in a year, with profitability reached in 2023[3](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/jamie-laing-ltmys-interview/) • [2](https://www.timeout.com/london/city-life/jamie-laing-2024-cover-interview) |
| Podcasting | Founder of JamPot Productions; hosts *NewlyWeds* with his wife Sophie Habboo and *Great Company*[4](https://www.sxswlondon.com/speakers/jamie-laing-46b4deb8) |
| Radio | Fronts BBC Radio 1's drivetime show from March 2024, replacing Jordan North[5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/jamie-laing-sunday-times-oti-mabuse-jamie-vick-hope-b1142862.html) |
| Competition TV | Placed second on *Strictly Come Dancing* in 2020[4](https://www.sxswlondon.com/speakers/jamie-laing-46b4deb8) |
| Charity | Ran five consecutive ultra-marathons over five days from London to Salford for Comic Relief in early 2025, over 150 miles, raising more than £2 million[4](https://www.sxswlondon.com/speakers/jamie-laing-46b4deb8) |
| Family | Married Sophie Habboo on April 14, 2023; they have a son, Ziggy[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2528431/) • [3](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/jamie-laing-ltmys-interview/) |
## Made in Chelsea
Laing joined the cast of *Made in Chelsea*, a structured reality series following affluent young people in west London, in 2011, in its early run.[1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) • [5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/jamie-laing-sunday-times-oti-mabuse-jamie-vick-hope-b1142862.html) He became one of the show's central figures over a decade of appearances, leaving in 2021 after 209 episodes.[1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) His wife, [Sophie Habboo](https://www.edgepedia.org/sophie-habboo), also appeared on the series, and the two later worked together on podcasts and television.[3](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/jamie-laing-ltmys-interview/)
The show functioned as a platform for later careers. A 2021 analysis of reality television noted that Laing was one of the first British reality stars to launch a successful business from reality TV, through the sweet company Candy Kittens, and that the format demonstrates how individuals can turn themselves into a brand.[7](https://bbcinsight.pages.dev/culture/article/20211201-why-reality-tv-deserves-more-credit) Laing himself has said that the show shaped him, strained relationships, and contributed to social anxiety that led him to rely on alcohol as a crutch.[8](https://shows.acast.com/great-company/episodes/jamie-laing)
## Candy Kittens
Laing co-founded Candy Kittens in 2012 with Ed Williams, whom he had approached to help design T-shirts; Williams instead proposed building a packaged sweets brand that could be sold internationally.[3](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/jamie-laing-ltmys-interview/) • [9](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-real-formula-for-building-a-successful-brand/id1562901750?i=1000794028871) The brand sells vegan sweets and does not use animal gelatine, sources ingredients with environmental criteria, and became a carbon neutral brand while working toward B Corp certification.[10](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jamie-laing-and-ed-williams-founders-candy-kittens/id1600508551?i=1000551413277) Laing's SXSW London speaker biography and his publisher's author profile describe Candy Kittens as the fastest-growing confectionery company in Europe.[4](https://www.sxswlondon.com/speakers/jamie-laing-46b4deb8) • [11](https://www.bloomsbury.com/UK/author/jamie-laing/)
The business took years to reach scale. In a 2024 interview, Laing said the company surged into profitability in 2023 after sales jumped from £9.4 million to £12 million in a year.[2](https://www.timeout.com/london/city-life/jamie-laing-2024-cover-interview) In a later interview, Laing and Williams said they had acquired the snack brand Graze from Unilever and described a long-term ambition to build a UK equivalent of LVMH for food and drink.[9](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-real-formula-for-building-a-successful-brand/id1562901750?i=1000794028871) Laing has also reflected that naivety helped him at the start: when the brand launched he was 22 and, in his words, had no idea what he was doing.[12](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jamie-laing-36612277_naivety-is-our-biggest-weapon-let-me-explain-activity-7332021099846643713--onz)
## Podcasts and radio
Laing founded the podcast production company JamPot Productions, under which he hosts two shows: *NewlyWeds* with his wife Sophie Habboo, which had a sold-out live tour in 2024, and *Great Company*, a weekly interview podcast whose guests have included LL COOL J, Madeline Argy, and YungBlud.[4](https://www.sxswlondon.com/speakers/jamie-laing-46b4deb8) Earlier podcast work includes *Private Parts* and *6 Degrees from Jamie and Spencer* with [Spencer Matthews](https://www.edgepedia.org/spencer-matthews) for the BBC.[1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) • [13](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/jamie-laing/id1533652997?i=1000518581416) • [5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/jamie-laing-sunday-times-oti-mabuse-jamie-vick-hope-b1142862.html)
In March 2024 he replaced [Jordan North](https://www.edgepedia.org/jordan-north) on [BBC Radio 1](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-radio-1)'s drivetime slot, presenting *Going Home with Vick, Katie And Jamie* alongside [Vick Hope](https://www.edgepedia.org/vick-hope) and Katie Thistleton. The appointment drew complaints from some listeners that he was "too posh" and that a reality star should not hold the slot; Laing responded that it was a misconception that he had simply "swanned in", saying he had spent eight years asking for small slots at the station.[5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/jamie-laing-sunday-times-oti-mabuse-jamie-vick-hope-b1142862.html) • [14](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jamie-laing-jordan-north-radio-1-b2506431.html)
## Television beyond Chelsea
Beyond *Made in Chelsea*, Laing has appeared on *Strictly Come Dancing*, where he placed second in 2020, and on *Celebrity Hunted* and *Celebrity Great British Bake Off*.[4](https://www.sxswlondon.com/speakers/jamie-laing-46b4deb8) • [1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) He hosted [BBC Three](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-three)'s dating show *I Like the Way U Move*[1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) and, with Habboo, the talk show *NearlyParents*, as well as the 2026 reality series *Jamie and Sophie: Raising Chelsea*, on which he served as executive producer.[15](https://www.jla.co.uk/resources/articles/jla-festival-of-speech-in-conversation-with-jamie-laing/) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2528431/)
## Charity running and public discussion of mental health
In early 2025, Laing ran five consecutive ultra-marathons over five days from London to Salford for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day, covering more than 150 miles despite never having run more than 5 km previously, and raised over £2 million while advocating for mental health awareness.[4](https://www.sxswlondon.com/speakers/jamie-laing-46b4deb8) He has spoken publicly about anxiety, panic attacks, and depersonalisation, and has said that acceptance and seeking help were important parts of managing them.[16](https://shows.acast.com/the-high-performance-podcast/episodes/jamie-laing-on-his-battles-with-anxiety-reality-tv-and-build) • [1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change) His memoir *I Can Explain* was published in 2021.[1](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change)
## Family background and personal life
Laing is a descendant of Sir Alexander Grant, 1st Baronet, the creator of the [McVitie's](https://www.edgepedia.org/mcvities) digestive biscuit.[5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/jamie-laing-sunday-times-oti-mabuse-jamie-vick-hope-b1142862.html) He married Sophie Habboo on April 14, 2023, and the couple have since welcomed their first child, a son named Ziggy.[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2528431/) • [3](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/jamie-laing-ltmys-interview/) In June 2025, the couple, then expecting their first child, recreated Meghan Markle's viral "Baby Mama" dance on the [Grand Staircase](https://www.edgepedia.org/grand-staircase) at [Buckingham Palace](https://www.edgepedia.org/buckingham-palace) during a King's Trust reception, and the royal family's official Instagram account commented "We see you" on the video.[17](https://www.thedailybeast.com/royals-give-nod-to-star-couple-jamie-laing-and-sophie-habboo-for-mocking-meghans-baby-mama-dance/) • [18](https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/royals/reality-star-mortified-king-charles-meeting-buckingham-palace/) Companies House records him as a director of Zeno Consulting Ltd, appointed on September 9, 2024.[19](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/F_8ELhKskulIk_1n5P6RRYvGGos/appointments)
## References
1. [Jamie Laing on privilege and panic attacks: 'I'd tell my younger self: don't change', The Guardian (2021)](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/jamie-laing-on-privilege-and-panic-attacks-younger-self-dont-change)
2. [Jamie Laing Time Out Interview: 'Self-Awareness Is Absolutely Everything', Time Out London (2024)](https://www.timeout.com/london/city-life/jamie-laing-2024-cover-interview)
3. [Jamie Laing: 'If I played Roger Federer at tennis, I'd win a game', Big Issue (2026)](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/jamie-laing-ltmys-interview/)
4. [Jamie Laing, SXSW London 2026 Speakers](https://www.sxswlondon.com/speakers/jamie-laing-46b4deb8)
5. [Jamie Laing on getting a job at BBC Radio 1: I'm not just a posh idiot, The Standard (2024)](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/jamie-laing-sunday-times-oti-mabuse-jamie-vick-hope-b1142862.html)
6. [Jamie Laing, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2528431/)
7. [Why reality TV deserves more credit, BBC Mirror (2021)](https://bbcinsight.pages.dev/culture/article/20211201-why-reality-tv-deserves-more-credit)
8. [JAMIE LAING: I HAVE A FEAR OF BEING FORGOTTEN, Great Company with Jamie Laing, Acast (2025)](https://shows.acast.com/great-company/episodes/jamie-laing)
9. [The Real Formula for Building a Successful Brand, Getting to Grow, Apple Podcasts (2026)](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-real-formula-for-building-a-successful-brand/id1562901750?i=1000794028871)
10. [Jamie Laing and Ed Williams, Founders, Candy Kittens, Seismic Spotlight, Apple Podcasts (2022)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jamie-laing-and-ed-williams-founders-candy-kittens/id1600508551?i=1000551413277)
11. [Jamie Laing, Bloomsbury Publishing author page](https://www.bloomsbury.com/UK/author/jamie-laing/)
12. [How naivety helped me launch Candy Kittens, Jamie Laing on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jamie-laing-36612277_naivety-is-our-biggest-weapon-let-me-explain-activity-7332021099846643713--onz)
13. [Jamie Laing: Reasons To Be Joyful with Gaby Roslin, Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/jamie-laing/id1533652997?i=1000518581416)
14. [Jamie Laing tells critics he's 'not just a posh idiot' ahead of BBC Radio 1 arrival, The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jamie-laing-jordan-north-radio-1-b2506431.html)
15. [Jamie Laing on Risk and Resilience, JLA Festival of Speech 2025](https://www.jla.co.uk/resources/articles/jla-festival-of-speech-in-conversation-with-jamie-laing/)
16. [Jamie Laing on his battles with anxiety, reality TV, and building businesses, The High Performance Podcast, Acast (2024)](https://shows.acast.com/the-high-performance-podcast/episodes/jamie-laing-on-his-battles-with-anxiety-reality-tv-and-build)
17. [Royals Give Nod to Star Couple for Mocking Meghan's 'Baby Mama' Dance, The Daily Beast (2025)](https://www.thedailybeast.com/royals-give-nod-to-star-couple-jamie-laing-and-sophie-habboo-for-mocking-meghans-baby-mama-dance/)
18. [Why One Reality Star Is 'Mortified' After 'Breaking Royal Protocol' During King Charles Meeting at Buckingham Palace, Marie Claire (2025)](https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/royals/reality-star-mortified-king-charles-meeting-buckingham-palace/)
19. [Jamie LAING personal appointments, Companies House](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/F_8ELhKskulIk_1n5P6RRYvGGos/appointments)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Reality television personalities and media celebrities*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license