Latest news with #MatchBallMission
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sam Thompson's love life after Zara split and his response to girlfriend rumours
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split after five years together, with Zara now dating One Direction's Louis Tomlinson - who will be playing in Soccer Aid alongside Sam Sam Thompson has been participating in a strenuous challenge ahead of this year's Soccer Aid for UNICEF. The Made in Chelsea star and I'm A Celebrity winner has been competing in Match Ball Mission throughout this week, with his progress being broadcast on ITV's This Morning. He's been transporting the Soccer Aid match ball over 260 miles from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford in preparation for this year's game. Every mile, whether on foot or by bike, Sam is aiming to raise as much money as possible to support UNICEF's work for children worldwide - and he's set to cross the finish line on Friday, June 6, which will also be televised on This Morning. Before he completes his colossal task, we delve into the 32-year-old's love life following his recent break up with Zara McDermott. Reality star turned documentary maker Zara is now dating One Direction's Louis Tomlinson - who coincidentally will be participating in the Soccer Aid match alongside Sam on Sunday, June 15 at Old Trafford. Sam and Zara's romance Sam and Zara started dating in early 2019, shortly after she had finished her stint on Love Island where she was involved with self-proclaimed ladies' man, Adam Collard, reports Wales Online. At that time, Londoner Sam was in a relationship with fellow Made In Chelsea cast member Sophie Habboo (now married to fellow MIC and Strictly star Jamie Laing and expecting her first child) but it wasn't long before Zara and Sam became official and Zara soon joined the cast of the E4 reality show. In a dramatic twist to their love story, Zara and Sam weathered a storm back in late 2019 amid allegations that Zara had strayed with music mogul Brahim Fouradi during her stint on X Factor: Celebrity, as reported by Hello! magazine. Initially dismissing the rumours, Zara ultimately poured out her heart on social media with an emotional confession in October 2020. That same month, viewers of Made in Chelsea watched as Zara implored Sam for forgiveness - footage that has since morphed into meme-worthy material. Happily, the couple later laughed off the incident. Choosing to put the past behind them, Sam reconciled with Zara, and the pair settled down together in their Chelsea pad, right next to Sam's sister Louise, sharing TikToks enjoyed by their fans. Why did Sam and Zara split? Five years on, whispers of a breakup began swirling at the start of 2025 after the duo spent Christmas Day and New Year's Eve separately. While Sam dedicated his Christmas to volunteering for a charitable cause, Zara joined her kin in Upminster, East London. Sam was seen revelling with mates at Kensington Roof Gardens to ring in the New Year, leaving Zara to embrace a quieter celebration. The crux of their separation seemed rooted in their hectic, clashing timetables. The last sighting of this reality TV pair together was in December 2024, celebrating Zara's birthday. It was then that Sam took to Instagram with loving words for his girlfriend, dubbing her his "soulmate". Who is Sam dating now? Sam, who recently opened up about his autism diagnosis, has reportedly been in a relationship with Love Island's Samie Elishi since April. However, when questioned about her support during his Soccer Aid challenge, he told MailOnline: '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. ". Zara has been dating One Direction's Louis Tomlinson following her break up with Sam, and Louis is set to return to the Soccer Aid line-up. This Morning is on ITV1 weekdays at 10am and ITVX. Soccer Aid is on ITVX on Sunday, June 15
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
This Morning fans divided as Sam Thompson bursts into tears in fallout from horror injury - and host Ben Shephard has priceless five-word response
This Morning fans were left divided as Sam Thompson burst into tears live on This Morning on Wednesday in fallout from a horror injury - and host Ben Shephard had a priceless five-word response. The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, is currently taking part in his Match Ball Mission - which will see him walk and bike 260 miles to raise money for charity Unicef. Sam caught up with presenters Cat Deeley, 48, and Ben Shephard, 50, live from Bloxwich to give an update after tearing his calf. The reality star got very emotional after his best mate Pete Wicks, 37, told him that he has raised £337, 288.26 so far. Pete asked: 'How does it make you feel brother?' Don't you're gonna make me cry. 'That is such a huge amount. All the pain you're going through, it's for a good cause.' 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. Sam Thompson broke down in tears live on This Morning and host Ben Shephard swiped 'well done for not swearing!' The former Made In Chelsea star was over come with emotion when his best mate Pete Wicks told him some good news The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, is currently taking part in his Match Ball Mission - which will see him walk and bike 260 miles to raise money for charity Unicef Sam replied... 'Oh...' and quickly stopping himself and adding: I nearly swore I'm sorry... 'I've got to stop crying. I'm so grateful. I'm so grateful. It's for such an amazing cause. 'Unicef and everything they do it's so amazing.' Pete told him: 'Good news comes in threes. I'm going to throw back to you guys.' Ben said: 'We do. Well done Sam and well done for not swearing! 'You obviously listened the other day when we had the little chat... that's brilliant, he's learning.' Cat then said that an anonymous donor has decided to match all donations up to half a million pounds. Sam couldn't believe his ears and screamed live on air. The reality star got very emotional after his best mate Pete Wicks , 37, told him that he has raised £337, 288.26 so far Ben said: 'We do. Well done Sam and well done for not swearing! You obviously listened the other day when we had the little chat... that's brilliant, he's learning' But he was left lost for words when an anonymous donor decided to match all donations up to half a million pounds Cat joked: 'Don't swear, don't swear!' Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to brutally point out there wasn't 'a single tear'. 'He's such a ball of emotions that Sam guy… [laughing faces].' 'this is so performative #ThisMorning.' 'Not a single tear [laughing emojis].' '#ThisMorning terrible acting lad.' Meanwhile others rushed to Instagram to share their support and say how proud they are. 'So proud of you!!!!' 'You doing great Sam. Hope your calf is not too painful. Well done xx.' 'I passed you just around the corner from the Harry Potter studios yesterday…. You were smashing it! Keep going…. You can do this!!' 'Amazing Sam, you've got this!' It comes after Sam looked visibly emotional as he was met with horrendous weather conditions on day two of his gruelling Soccer Aid Challenge on Tuesday. To complete the challenge, the I'm A Celeb star is expected to run a marathon for five days and cycle in between, ensuring the ball arrives on June 6, just in time for kickoff on Sunday, June 15. The star decided to cycle the remaining miles of his Tuesday challenge after revealing he 'popped his calf' and was strapped into a medical table just the day before. In an attempt to boost morale, Chris Hughes joined his pal on the bike as Sam continued on with his challenge. Following their meeting, Chris went to his Instagram stories to share clips of their cycle together. Gushing over his pal, he penned: 'Keep donating towards Sam's challenge, it's seriously inspiring and he needs every boost he can get. 'I saw the emotion drain from him earlier, he battles on and is doing so well.' Many have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts about his appearance on the show, as well as support Sam has suffered a huge injury during his gruelling multi-marathon challenge. Hits Radio shared a clip of the former reality star on the phone where he said: 'I'm just sat on the table. I've got Game Ready on, which is like a bucket ice machine. 'We've completed a marathon. It was going great until my calf popped. Don't really know what that means but something has happened. So I can barely walk on it. 'But we completed the marathon and we are going to do the bike in a bit. Let's see how that goes.' This Morning airs on ITV.
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Sam Thompson begins 260-mile run and cycle to deliver Soccer Aid match ball
The 32-year-old will travel from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's charity match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which will host the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Speaking before setting off on Monday, the former Made In Chelsea star said: 'I had no sleep last night, I'm absolutely terrified but I know I just need to keep my head in the game and remember why I'm doing this. 'It's all for Unicef and to raise as much money as possible, so I'm going to dig deep and get on with it, and look forward to a hot shower at the end.' On Monday, Thompson will run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead, where he will then cycle 23 miles further to the first finish line at MK Dons' Stadium MK ground in Milton Keynes. Thompson was joined at the start line by I'm A Celebrity … Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and his nephew Leo. His sister said: 'Sam's such a happy, entertaining person, I've never seen him do something that will require so much resilience and endurance. 'I'm so proud of him, he's put so much work in and it's all for an incredible cause, and will help so many children. I'm waving him off at the beginning and I'll be seeing him at the end, that's all the support he needs from me.' From Stadium MK, Thompson will travel to Aston Villa's Villa Park in Birmingham, then on to Port Vale's Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, then to Everton's Goodison Park in Liverpool, before finishing at Old Trafford. His journey will be broadcast live on ITV's This Morning and Hits Radio each day, with the star due to arrive at the finish line on Friday June 6. The challenge will also feature in a one-off documentary on ITV1, Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission, which will air in the lead-up to Soccer Aid for Unicef. Thompson is taking on the challenge to raise money for Soccer Aid charity Unicef's work to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Soccer Aid 2025 will take place on Sunday June 15, at Old Trafford, and will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Sam Thompson begins 260-mile run and cycle to deliver Soccer Aid match ball
The 32-year-old will travel from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's charity match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which will host the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Speaking before setting off on Monday, the former Made In Chelsea star said: 'I had no sleep last night, I'm absolutely terrified but I know I just need to keep my head in the game and remember why I'm doing this. 'It's all for Unicef and to raise as much money as possible, so I'm going to dig deep and get on with it, and look forward to a hot shower at the end.' On Monday, Thompson will run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead, where he will then cycle 23 miles further to the first finish line at MK Dons' Stadium MK ground in Milton Keynes. Thompson was joined at the start line by I'm A Celebrity … Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and his nephew Leo. His sister said: 'Sam's such a happy, entertaining person, I've never seen him do something that will require so much resilience and endurance. 'I'm so proud of him, he's put so much work in and it's all for an incredible cause, and will help so many children. I'm waving him off at the beginning and I'll be seeing him at the end, that's all the support he needs from me.' From Stadium MK, Thompson will travel to Aston Villa's Villa Park in Birmingham, then on to Port Vale's Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, then to Everton's Goodison Park in Liverpool, before finishing at Old Trafford. His journey will be broadcast live on ITV's This Morning and Hits Radio each day, with the star due to arrive at the finish line on Friday June 6. The challenge will also feature in a one-off documentary on ITV1, Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission, which will air in the lead-up to Soccer Aid for Unicef. Thompson is taking on the challenge to raise money for Soccer Aid charity Unicef's work to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Soccer Aid 2025 will take place on Sunday June 15, at Old Trafford, and will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Sam Thompson begins 260-mile run and cycle to deliver Soccer Aid match ball
Reality TV star Sam Thompson has begun a challenge to run and cycle 260 miles in order to deliver the match ball for Soccer Aid 2025. The 32-year-old will travel from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's charity match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which will host the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Speaking before setting off on Monday, the former Made In Chelsea star said: 'I had no sleep last night, I'm absolutely terrified but I know I just need to keep my head in the game and remember why I'm doing this. 'It's all for Unicef and to raise as much money as possible, so I'm going to dig deep and get on with it, and look forward to a hot shower at the end.' On Monday, Thompson will run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead, where he will then cycle 23 miles further to the first finish line at MK Dons' Stadium MK ground in Milton Keynes. Thompson was joined at the start line by I'm A Celebrity … Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and his nephew Leo. His sister said: 'Sam's such a happy, entertaining person, I've never seen him do something that will require so much resilience and endurance. 'I'm so proud of him, he's put so much work in and it's all for an incredible cause, and will help so many children. I'm waving him off at the beginning and I'll be seeing him at the end, that's all the support he needs from me.' From Stadium MK, Thompson will travel to Aston Villa's Villa Park in Birmingham, then on to Port Vale's Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, then to Everton's Goodison Park in Liverpool, before finishing at Old Trafford. His journey will be broadcast live on ITV's This Morning and Hits Radio each day, with the star due to arrive at the finish line on Friday June 6. The challenge will also feature in a one-off documentary on ITV1, Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission, which will air in the lead-up to Soccer Aid for Unicef. Thompson is taking on the challenge to raise money for Soccer Aid charity Unicef's work to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play.
