The year began with heartbreak for Sam Thompson following his split from girlfriend of five years, Zara McDermott. But he didn’t stay down for long. Thanks to the support of his bestie and Staying Relevant co-host Pete Wicks – who is said to be nursing his own broken heart after his reported break-up from Maura Higgins – Sam is now looking to the future.
The 32 year old – who got his big break on Made In Chelsea in 2013, before being crowned King of the Jungle in I’m A Celebrity ten years later – tells heat that he’s got huge career plans, and has even set his sights on becoming the next Holly Willoughby. He also chats about his bromance with Pete, 36, a MIC return, and why he’s ditched the late-night partying…
What would it take for you to go back on Made In Chelsea?
I love Made In Chelsea, I still watch it every week. I'm not one of those people who leave it and go, ‘Oh God, let's just forget I was on it.’ I will never sit there and slag off where I came from. I had some of the best years of my life on that show. But having said that, I think I'm too old. I wouldn't enjoy watching me on that show. I'd sit there like, ‘Who’s this 32 year old on there?’ Everyone else is young and sprightly, and they're going on nights out on a Tuesday and getting home at past 3am. For me, if anything goes on past one, I'm knackered the next day. If you're going to be on reality TV, you need to be interesting and realistically, I like to see people argue and I'm past that point. I would really get panicked if someone had a go at me, I don't have a backbone any more.
People who listen to your podcast might disagree with that…
But what you'll notice about that podcast is there are arguments every day, to which I then go, ‘I'm so sorry, Pete.’
Plus, you’ve got editing control there…
I’m going to be honest with you. I call up a producer every week and go, ‘Right, how can we annoy Pete?’
Why do you think you and Pete work so well together?
We met at the perfect time in both of our lives, when we didn't know where we wanted to go in our careers, but also we didn't really know who we were. Well, Pete probably knew a little bit more who he was than I did. I've always looked for a big brother figure in my life, and we just hit it off straight away. Then we started working together quite a bit, and Pete will say this to you as well, it's like working with your best mate. We’re actually like brothers. And I think being so different, but inside so similar in certain ways that other people might not see, is the key to why we get along so well. I love him. See if he says the same thing about me.
What’s a 2025 goal of yours?
I want to bring Staying Relevant to the 02, which may happen. Only four other podcasts in the country have done that, so it'd be pretty awesome. I would also really, really like – if people trust me enough – to eventually host, maybe just one Friday, on the This Morning on the sofa. I would so enjoy that.
You’re very busy with work – and now you’ve just partnered with Heinz for their comfort campaign…
When Heinz came to me with this idea, I was like, ‘Mate, you picked the right guy.’ I love a bit of comfort. Most people like Heinz soup, especially when it's cold, or you’re feeling a bit poorly. Heinz is a huge staple of most British households, so to be a part of this campaign with them was a no-brainer.
Sam has partnered with Heinz on its comfort campaign, proving that Heinz soup is scientifically as comforting as a hug from a loved one.