Sam Thompson issues update on his painful calf injury as he's forced to modify the second leg of 'emotional' 260-mile endurance challenge

Daily Mail​

6 days ago

Sam Thompson has given an update on the calf injury he suffered during the first day of his gruelling journey on both bike and foot from London to Manchester.
The I'm A Celeb star, 32, set out on his mission to raise money for Unicef by delivering the Soccer Aid match ball to Old Trafford from Stamford Bridge on Monday.
To complete the challenge, Sam is expected to run a marathon for five days and cycle in between, ensuring the ball arrives on June 6 ready for this year's star-studded match on June 15.
But during the first leg, the reality TV star suffered a calf injury which left his chances of completing the mission in-doubt.
Now, the star has been forced to modify the second leg of his challenge - setting off on bike, rather than on foot, with doctors in doubt over whether he will be able to run at all later in the day.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
At the end of day one, Sam was pictured grimacing while receiving treatment on a medical table before revealing he could 'barely walk'.
With the support of his expert physio, Sam is however powering through the setback - with medical professionals advising him to travel from Stadium MK to Villa Park by bicycle.
Ahead of the start of the second leg, the 32-year-old reality said: 'Yesterday was really hard.
'The medical team here are looking after me, but it means today I'm starting on the bike so I can use different muscles in my legs to aid my recovery and I hope to be back on my feet soon.
'My goal is to get from Milton Keynes to Villa Park and no matter what I'm getting that ball there - I just need to keep pedaling.
'What I'm trying to do has changed, but why I'm doing it hasn't. I really need your support right now, so any donations or love you can send my way would be so appreciated. It's going to be an emotional day.'
Aiming to complete a 72-mile journey through Towcester, Rugby, Coventry and Solihull, medical experts will assess whether Sam can ditch the bike and begin running again throughout the day.
Sam's sister Louise revealed on her Instagram Stories on Monday that she almost suffered a breakdown after seeing her sibling's injury.
She said in a video: 'I cannot believe I am in my dressing gown but desperate times call for desperate measures.
'I have been following so closely to the Soccer Aid channel, the Instagram, the Instagram Stories, Hits Radio this morning all covering my brother doing his run from here to Manchester.
'And I am literally on the cusp of having a breakdown every time I see stuff. I saw a video of him limping really badly after the first marathon and he has now got to get on a bike and do a really really really long cycle and I am so worried his legs are just going to give in'.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline earlier in the day, Sam opened up about what he believes will be the biggest challenge he'll face during his grueling mission.
He said: 'The hard part of this challenge is gonna be the fear of not completing it.
'That that will, is and will always be the hardest thing in my head is the fear of injury and not being able to play it.
'I just, I have to be able to get of course I finish line.
'And like, you've seen how many people are here. Just letting people down is my biggest weakness, so that is terrifying to me.'
Sam also gave an update on his relationship with Love Island star Samie Eilishi, 25, after the pair were spotted sharing a kiss in London recently.
While his sister Louise and her partner Ryan Libbey were present at the starting line to show their support, Samie was notably absent.
Speaking just moments ahead of the challenge, Sam revealed that several close friends, including best mate Jamie Laing, have remained tight-lipped about whether they'll join him along the way.
However, he did not confirm whether or not Samie, who he has been dating since April, will be making an appearance.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Sam said: 'Throughout the experience, I hope there'll be a few people.'
When asked directly if Samie would be making an appearance, he responded: 'I feel like... this is so much more than who I'm dating or hooking up with.
'And I feel like it would take away from what it is going on. You know what I mean?
'You know, If I had a wife or something like, like a girlfriend of years it might be a different.
'I just think that I don't want to do anything that will take away from this challenge and Unicef - the spotlight needs to be on them.
'Like, I'm literally a vehicle. That's how I'm seeing it. I'm just a thing that is running to try and make money, so I want to keep it that way.'
To donate visit socceraid.org.uk/challenge