Fred Sirieix's Olympic star daughter, mystery wife and 'crying every day' on BBC show

Wales Online

27-05-2025

Fred Sirieix's Olympic star daughter, mystery wife and 'crying every day' on BBC show
The beloved TV personality is on BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? alongside his daughter
Fred Sirieix and Fruitcake attend the Royal Albert Hall on March 07, 2025
(Image: Getty Images )
Fred Sirieix has built a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, becoming one of the UK's most recognisable television personalities.
After training in a Michelin-starred restaurant in France, he moved to London, where he worked at esteemed establishments such as La Tante Claire and Galvin at Windows, the latter of which he managed for 14 years. Sirieix's transition to television began with Channel 4's "First Dates," where his charm and professionalism as the maître d'hôtel endeared him to audiences.
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His television repertoire expanded to include shows like "Million Pound Menu" on BBC Two and ITV's "Gordon, Gino and Fred's Road Trip," showcasing his versatility and charisma. In 2023, he was a contestant on "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" further cementing his status as a beloved TV figure.
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Tonight, viewers can see a different side of Sirieix as he delves into his family history on BBC One's "Who Do You Think You Are?" In this episode, he travels to France with his daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, to explore their roots. Here, we take a look at parts of his life away from the TV screen.
Olympic star daughter
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix has established herself as one of Britain's most promising diving talents. Born in London in 2004, she made her international debut at just 13 and clinched her first solo international gold at the 2020 FINA Diving Grand Prix in Rostock.
That same year, she was honoured as the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.
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Her breakthrough came in 2022 when she secured gold in the women's 10m platform at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, becoming the first English woman to win the event since 1966. She followed this feat with European Championship gold in the same discipline and added further accolades in synchronised and mixed synchro events alongside partners Lois Toulson and Noah Williams.
In 2024, Spendolini-Sirieix continued her impressive trajectory. At the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, she contributed to Great Britain's gold in the team event and earned bronze medals in both the individual 10m platform and the synchronised 10m platform with Toulson.
Later that year, at the Paris Olympics, the duo clinched bronze in the women's 10m synchronised platform, marking a significant milestone in her career. Although she finished sixth in the individual event, her performance solidified her status as a leading figure in British diving. Her achievements were recognised with titles such as European Aquatics' Female Diver of the Year and The Sunday Times Young Sportswoman of the Year.
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"Amazing," Fred said of his daughter's Olympic achievement in an interview with OK! "Andrea has been training since she was eight. The Olympics was her dream. And to win a medal in Paris – it was incredible.
"She's won medals for Britain and Italy, but never in France. She trained so hard she barely went to school, but she still got brilliant results. I've always said if you want something, you've got to work for it. No shortcuts. You're going to suffer. It's got to be painful."
Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Spendolini-Sirieix's journey has been marked by resilience. She has openly discussed overcoming personal challenges, including mental health struggles, and credits her family, particularly her father, for their unwavering support. Their emotional embrace after her Olympic bronze win became a poignant moment of the Games.
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Spendolini-Sirieix (right) was in tears after winning bronze
New wife and her nickname
Sirieix recently married his long-term partner, affectionately nicknamed "Fruitcake," in a picturesque ceremony at Pattoo Castle in Negril, Jamaica.
The couple, who have been together since 2018, exchanged vows on February 18, 2025, after postponing their original wedding plans due to Covid.
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The bride, however, has not publicly disclosed her real name, leading to an air of mystery around her. On the wedding day, she looked stunning in an elegant white gown, while Sirieix donned a classic white tuxedo jacket and black bow tie. The intimate celebration was attended by close friends and family, including Sirieix's children from a previous relationship, Andrea and Lucien.
When asked in the same OK! interview why he nicknamed her Fruitcake, Sirieix replied: "That one's just between her and me. It works for us. She's Fruitcake. That's all you need to know. And that's all she wants you to know. We're happy that way."
Despite the couple's public profiles, they have maintained a level of privacy regarding their personal lives. Fruitcake, a fashion enthusiast, has occasionally appeared alongside Sirieix at public events, but the pair have kept details about her personal background and profession private.
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Sirieix has spoken fondly of their bond, noting how their connection deepened during the pandemic lockdowns, strengthening their commitment to one another.
Crying 'every day' on BBC show
Sirieix will appear tonight on Who Do You Think You Are? and the journey is an emotional one for the TV star.
Sirieix delves into his family history on the BBC One show, during which he travels to France with his daughter, Andrea, to explore their roots.
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The journey uncovers stories of wartime romance and resilience, including the tale of his grandfather René, a prisoner of war during World War II, and his great-grandfather Léonard Bordas, who fought in some of the most harrowing battles of the First World War .
"Oh, I cried every day in fact, because it was very emotional," he said. "I went to Burgundy, where my grandfather was a prisoner of war. I went to the very place he was held during the Second World War. He escaped from there to go home, crossing the whole of France.
"It was so dangerous. The penalty was being shot. What I didn't realise is that my grandfather was suffering from PTSD, and so was my great-grandfather, who, incredibly, took part in the First World War from the very first battle to the last. And he survived.
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"I mean, it's just incredible."