Latest news with #SamThompson
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sam Thompson suffers injury during gruelling Soccer Aid challenge which leaves his sister Louise 'petrified' and on the 'cusp of having a breakdown'
Sam Thompson has suffered a huge injury during a gruelling multi-marathon challenge which has left his sister Louise 'petrified' and on the 'cusp of having a breakdown'. The I'm A Celeb star, 32, has been given the task to travel a mammoth 260-mile journey on both bike and foot to deliver the match ball to its new home in Old Trafford, with the hope of raising much-needed funds for Unicef. 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, just in time for kickoff on Sunday, June 15. But after running the first marathon Sam has revealed that he has 'popped his calf' and has now been strapped into a medical table with the hope to recover in time for his session on the bike. In his usual happy mood, Sam appeared unphased and ready to carry on despite his family posting distressed-looking videos to social media. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. And his injury has left his sister Louise 'petrified' and on the 'cusp of having a breakdown' as she took to her Instagram Stories to give her followers an update Hits Radio shared a clip of the former reality TV 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.' And while Sam appeared in happy spirits, his sister Louise took to her Instagram Stories looking in distress to give her fans an update. She said in the 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 over the next five days. But after running the first marathon Sam has revealed that he has 'popped his calf' and has now been strapped into a medical table with the hope to recover in time for his session on the bike 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.' Elsewhere, Sam gave an update on his relationship with Samie Elishi as he kicked off the first day of his intense Soccer Aid challenge. 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 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.'
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sam Thompson grimaces during first day of gruelling Soccer Aid challenge as his family pay tribute to his 'strength and resilience' after 'tricky' split from Zara McDermott
Sam Thompson appeared in pain as he grimaced after kicking off his gruelling Soccer Aid challenge on Monday. The I'm A Celeb star, 32, has been given the task to travel a mammoth 260-mile journey on both bike and foot to deliver the match ball to its new home in Old Trafford, with the hope of raising much-needed funds for Unicef. 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, just in time for kickoff on Sunday, June 15. In snaps from day one of the challenge, Sam looked exhausted as he powered through before sprawling out on a garden chair as he took a break from the gruelling task. And it appeared he had already sustained an injury as the Instagram for his Staying Relevant podcast shared a snap of him being seen to by a medic. At the start line were his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and Sam's nephew Leo. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Louise paid tribute to her little brother on Instagram hours before the start of the challenge, and for the first time spoke out on his 'tricky' few months following his split from long-term girlfriend Zara McDermott. 'My brother has been quite quiet online this year. It's not been the easiest time for him,' Louise admitted. 'But he has been secretly squirrelling his energy into something big. Something much much bigger than himself, and he is about to show us just how strong he is.' 'Without sounding too cliche, it really is during the tricky times in life that we find the greatest strength and resilience. Life will throw challenges at all of us at one point or another and if we can choose to take a moment to pause and reflect, and to look both inwards AND outwards, then sometimes a breakdown can turn into a breakthrough.' Addressing her brother, Louise said she was in awe at how he has channelled his energies into the challenge. 'I think it's incredibly impressive how hard you've trained this year, building up so much mental and physical strength, you've cycled at home for hours and hours on end, sometimes for 3/4 hours at a time on your stationary road bike, jogged secret marathons without telling anyone and not complained once,' she wrote. 'Occasionally you'll pop over for an ice bath and listen to Macy gray, but the reality is you could have been out enjoying the summer sun at the pub like most people your age getting over a breakup.' 'Your dedication is beautiful! And probably not that easy to stay so focused as someone with adhd.' Sam took the first steps of his gruelling Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge on Monday with his sister Louise, Ryan Libbey and nephew Leo all cheering him on Sam has four more challenging days to go as he heads north towards the final whistle in Old Trafford, Manchester on Friday June 6. The mammoth mission will be captured for a one-off special documentary: Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission Friday 13th June 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Sam is putting his physical and mental strength to the test to raise vital funds to support UNICEF's work for children around the world to grow up safe, healthy and able to play. This year, thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, every donation made to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million. The star's new love interest Samie Elishi will no doubt be cheering him on too. The Love Island star, 25, has been dating the podcast presenter, 32, since last month, when the pair were pictured sharing a kiss at Olivia Attwood 's birthday bash. Earlier this week, Samie's distance from Sam while she attended a brand trip to Mykonos had briefly sparked rumours they'd split, but a source has since hit back at the claims. Addressing her brother, Louise was in awe at how Sam has channelled his energies into the challenge A source close to the couple told MailOnline: 'Any suggestion that Sam and Samie have split up is untrue. 'They're loving spending time together and always make the most of off days between their busy schedules.' Elsewhere Sam's ex Zara McDermott has been packing on the PDA with her new boyfriend Louis Tomlinson during a romantic holiday to Costa Rica.
Wales Online
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Sam Thompson begins 260-mile run and cycle to deliver Soccer Aid match ball
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 Sam Thompson (left) sets off with comedian Joel Dommett on a 250-mile run/bike challenge for Soccer Aid (Image: PA ) 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. Article continues below 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. Article continues below 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.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Sam Thompson gives a major update on his relationship with Samie Elishi as he kicks off first day of gruelling Soccer Aid challenge
Sam Thompson has given an update on his relationship with Samie Elishi as he kicked off the first day of his intense Soccer Aid challenge on Monday. The I'm A Celeb star, 32, has been given the task to travel a mammoth 260-mile journey on both bike and foot to deliver the match ball to its new home in Old Trafford, with the hope of raising much-needed funds for Unicef. 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, just in time for kickoff on Sunday, June 15. 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. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. However, he did 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 info I 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. 'Like, this challenge and the Unicef And the spotlight needs to be on them. Like, I'm literally a vehicle. 'That's how I'm seeing it. I'm, like, just a thing that is running to try and make money, so I want to keep it that way.' Elsewhere in the chat, Sam opened up about what he believes will be the biggest challenge he'll face over the next five days. 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. Like, I just letting people down is my biggest week, like, my fear of letting you down a big sweeter, so that is terrifying to me.' Last month, Sam opened up about his autism diagnosis, and when asked how he thinks it might impact his journey, he shared candidly: 'I can find it really had to stick to one thing, that's really tough, especially when you have ADHD. 'You know, there's always something else to do and always, you know, here there and everywhere. You overthink everything. you think ahead a lot. 'I've been very much doing that. Yeah.. The hper focus is something that I'm hoping will actually help. 'I don't know what it's going to be like when I'm actually, like, out there. Like, I don't know how I'm going to be in my own head. I'm really worried about my own head. 'I've never really, as I said, done anything like this before, so I don't know what money my brain is going to be, right. 'Yeah. I' be worried about that, actually. You know, I get that, is that definitely a mental challenge. 'I'm just start talking to myself and like.. And with your thoughts. Yeah, and I'm quite weak mentally, actually.' As for his reason for taking part in this massive challenge, Sam explained: 'This challenge, to be honest with you, 'cause I went to Gosemala means so much more than I ever expected. 'And I was banging, I don't know if anyone knows, I was banging on Unicef's door to allow me to do one of those trips. 'And help in any way I could. But this obviously wasn't on the agenda at that point. So to be able to go there and do and see the work they do. 'I can't tell it's beautiful. And not in a way that I expected. 'Like, I kind of went out there, expecting, you know, sadness and that was the sort of general message of the day. 'It wasn't that at all. It was optimism, it was hope, it was joy in these children's eyes, like we really, like the bare minimum but so happy, so hopeful. 'And it's like, if we can just give them, I know this sounds so crazy, but if you, can they just give him, like, the smallest platform, they will take that and run with it. 'I'm saying this now, they'll be Prime ministers. They'll be astros. They'll be like everything that we said we were going to be when we were kids. 'They're going to do it.' Last month, Sam has shared an exclusive video diary from his trip to Guatemala, where he got the chance to see the work of a UNICEF supported project. His five day challenge is also set to feature in an ITV documentary, which will be broadcast on June 13. This year, thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, every donation made to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million. To donate visit
Powys County Times
17 hours 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.
