Sam Thompson details the ‘mentally freeing’ moment he ‘let go of his tough year’ in gruelling Soccer Aid challenge after split from girlfriend Zara McDermott

Sam Thompson shared insights on how his demanding Soccer Aid experience brought about a sense of mental liberation. Despite enduring an injury, he successfully contributed £2 million towards Unicef.

32-year-old cast member from Made In Chelsea finished a 260-mile trek from London to Manchester this month, even though he hurt his calf on the initial day of the trip.

On his “Staying Relevant” podcast with friend Pete Wicks, Sam opened up about how the recent challenge provided him an opportunity to “release” his difficulties following a challenging year.

After five years as a couple, the winner of “I’m A Celebrity” parted ways with his girlfriend Zara McDermott in December. Since then, there have been rumors connecting him to Love Island star Samie Elishi.

On the fourth day of the challenge, while pedaling towards Liverpool, Sam openly shared about his emotional breakdown. He faced extreme difficulties due to the harsh conditions and the agony caused by his injury.

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He mentioned that he had an experience on Thursday that he hadn’t shared before, but it was incredibly liberating for him – perhaps the most mentally liberating moment in his entire life, as he put it.

‘Where we rode and ran, for the longest duration, and I finished in Liverpool.

And you’re aware that I tend to be rather verbose, Tracy and I were cycling, and let me tell you, it was quite a challenge due to those steep inclines. My leg muscles, particularly the calves, were really feeling it, and I had to dig deep for motivation.

Without revealing specifics, I can tell you that a significant portion of this past year was left behind on that road, and we remained silent together for one and a half hours.

Approximately 20 minutes after falling silent, she commented, “Whatever energy or thought process you’re engaged in at the moment, please continue with it.

For approximately an hour and a half, I pedaled my bike while weeping profusely, with streams of tears flowing down my cheeks. It was as if I had never ridden a bike before, experiencing an intensity like never before. Eventually, I reached Liverpool, lost balance, broke into sobs, and sat on a park bench. Never have I felt more emotionally drained, yet strangely at peace.

In addition, Sam’s struggle was showcased in a documentary on ITV, where spectators witnessed the touching scene as Tony Bellew helped Sam board a speedboat to traverse the renowned River Mersey.

Despite enduring intense pain from his injury, Sam persevered and finished his remarkable voyage. Initially worried that he wouldn’t be able to participate in the Soccer Aid match, he was brought in as a substitute towards the end of the game on Sunday.

Additionally, he managed to steer clear of a confrontation on the field with singer Louis Tomlinson, as they are currently in a relationship with his former partner, Zara.

As an ardent supporter, I’ve got to say, it seems these two teammates of England have been working together intensely. Rumors swirl that they hosted a ‘peace gathering’ prior to the game, aiming to alleviate any discomfort stemming from Louis, 33, and Sam’s ex Zara McDermott, 28, dating situation.

In simpler terms, the champion from I’m A Celebrity was summoned onto the field after Louis had already departed, ensuring they didn’t encounter each other in front of the massive crowd during the game. This match ended with rapper Big Zuu scoring the decisive goal, securing a victory for the World XI team.

2025’s Soccer Aid event managed to gather a grand total of £15 million for charity, matching the high expectations set by enthusiasts and famous personalities prior to the game.

The dinner between Sam, Louis, and their fellow teammates is said to have taken place at Champneys in Tring, Herts, as a way to promote harmony before the upcoming major match.

According to a source, the duo has no disagreement and are committed to keeping their personal relationships separate so as not to overshadow a significant charitable event.

They understand that every action of theirs is under observation, and they’ve shared meals with their colleagues. As a result, the day should go smoothly for them.

Instead of playing the game, Sam been helping from the sidelines as a coach after getting injured. 

Opening up about his injury, he spoke to This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.

He mentioned that he’s still quite tender from the injury, specifically a torn calf muscle. Despite that, he’s currently at Soccer Aid Headquarters, and there’s no doubt in his mind that things couldn’t be better.

In simpler terms, ‘Our management team remains with England. We also have Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who is taking on a fresh role, and Harry Redknapp…’. This version aims to make the sentence more accessible while retaining its original meaning.

I added: “Not only will you have the joy of watching you in action, but also because I’ll be part of the inner circle, guiding and cheering you on every step of the way. Let’s do this together, my darling!

Late last year Sam split with former Love Island star Zara after five years together. 

It was then revealed in March how Zara had moved on with former One Direction singer Louis.

Last month on their podcast, Pete Wicks, aged 37, playfully hinted at a possibly uncomfortable meeting between him and Louis regarding Sam.

The TOWIE star inquired his fellow host, “It seems like you’re facing quite a challenge with the body transformation, diet, and intense workouts. Is this all for Soccer Aid?

However, without changing the topic, Pete inquired: ‘Are there any individuals inside that you’re excited to collaborate with?’

Sam chuckled heartily, “I’m absolutely thrilled! It’s Tom Grennan I’ll be teaming up with. Not only that, but Tyson Fury is set to manage us. The anticipation is palpable!

Pete made a light-hearted comment, saying: “That’s going to be incredibly fantastic! Just remember to keep him as an ally, as you might need his support if you have disagreements with others. It’s not that you will, but it’s better to have someone on your side in case of any disputes or rivalries.

‘It’s important to work closely with each other, and I suppose this can lead to revealing various aspects about yourself.’

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2025-06-16 22:04