Louis Tomlinson returns to Soccer Aid as Sam becomes his boss after quitting

Daily Mirror

13-06-2025

Sam Thompson has confirmed he's pulled out of Soccer Aid, just hours after he came face-to-face with Louis Tomlinson - who is dating Sam's ex Zara McDermott
Singer Louis Tomlinson has returned to Soccer Aid training in the wake of Sam Thompson quitting the charity match just hours on from their awkward meeting. Former Made In Chelsea star Sam announced his withdrawal during Friday's edition of This Morning.
Sam and the One Direction singer had both been due to represent the England team this Sunday for Unicef, a charity for which Sam recently endured a punishing 260-mile marathon over five days.
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It was sent to be a slightly awkward affair thanks to Louis now dating Sam's recent ex, Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott. However, Sam and Louis won't have to worry about working as a team together on the pitch thanks to Sam stepping down.
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Speaking to This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, Sam explained: "We've still got the management team of England, we've got Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who's stepping into some new shoes and Harry Redknapp... But also because I'm not going to be able to run around, you've also got me, part of the management team. Come on baby!"
Dermot then asked Sam to clarify he had pulled out of playing duties, saying: "So you can't play this year obviously because you're literally falling apart. So is that right? you're not going to play but you're part of the management team?"
Sam confirmed: "Yeah I came here with high hopes and went to see Gary the physio and I can kick a ball from a standing start, but when it comes to like general chaos of playing competitive sport there's just no way.
"I cant really run properly so yeah. They were very kind and said we still want you to be a part, so I get to go on the dark side with Tyson Fury."
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Sam's ex Zara raised a few eyebrows when she quickly moved on with singer Louis, 33, just weeks on from moving out of Sam's London home at the start of the year - with Sam one of those surprised to see his former girlfriend coupled up with the One Direction legend.
Offering his insight into why some individuals jump into new romances quickly, he noted: "I suppose a lot of people look for validation in other people right? And they look for the next person instantly because it's like 'I need to find someone else to fill that hole and I need to find that excitement.'".
However, during a podcast conversation with his friend Pete Wicks, Sam appeared more composed when discussing the topic. He recalled an interview where the focus turned to his impending encounter with Louis.
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Sam shared: "At the end of the interview, he goes, 'Look mate, I've got to ask the question that everyone wants to know. This is sort of the big question really, the elephant in the room, What's it going to be like with you and Louis? Obviously he's doing Soccer Aid too.'".
Sam chuckled as he recounted the strained moment: "Mate, you should have seen the room, everybody, it was silent then everyone goes 'Woah, Woah Woah, end the call! End the call!' and I have just gone 'No, no guys, I've got this, I've got this.' I held my hands up to say just relax."
He clarified his sincere motivations, asserting, "I think I did alright and I meant everything I said as well, that it's not about me or Louis or who anyone is dating, it's f**king Unicef and charity and everyone is going to be there for the exact same reason. And if he has anything about him which I've heard he does, he's going to sit there and say the exact same thing."
During a chat with The Mirror back in May, Sam spoke excitedly about the prospect of encountering Louis: "I've never met Louis, but the moment I see him, I'll be like, 'mate, how amazing is this what we're doing, and hopefully we can make as much money as possible. And I imagine – from what I hear is a really lovely bloke – I imagine the reply will be exactly the same."