Few TV personalities have been as open about their personal lives as Sam Thompson. But even for someone used to the spotlight, the past year has been a rollercoaster. The Made in Chelsea star and I’m a Celebrity winner has navigated a highly publicized split from Zara McDermott, while continuing to speak candidly about living with ADHD.
Born: 2 August 1992 ·
Known for: Made in Chelsea, TV personality ·
Diagnosis: ADHD ·
Relationship status: Single (split from Zara McDermott in 2024) ·
Podcast: diNelli with Jamie Laing
Quick snapshot
- Sam Thompson was born on 2 August 1992 (Wikipedia (crowd‑sourced encyclopedia)).
- He was diagnosed with ADHD and is an ambassador for ADHD UK (Metro (UK news outlet)).
- Sam and Zara McDermott ended their relationship in 2024 (The Independent (UK broadsheet)).
- Exact reasons for the breakup have not been confirmed by either party (MailOnline (UK tabloid)).
- Whether he is currently dating anyone is unknown. (MailOnline (UK tabloid))
- Rumors of a crisis surfaced in June 2024; split confirmed in early 2025 (Metro (UK news outlet)).
- Thompson continues his podcast diNelli with Jamie Laing and focuses on ADHD advocacy.
Here are eight key facts about Sam Thompson, capturing a public figure navigating personal upheaval while championing neurodiversity.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profession | Television personality, radio presenter, podcaster |
| Age | 32 (as of 2024) |
| Known for | Made in Chelsea, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! |
| Diagnosis | ADHD |
| Relationship status | Single |
| Instagram handle | @samthompsonuk |
| Podcast | diNelli |
| Parents | Mother is a teacher, father is a businessman |
The implication: the table above distills a public profile built on reality TV fame, now reshaped by a very public breakup and an equally public neurodiversity journey.
Have Sam Thompson and Zara split up?
Yes—Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott ended their relationship after five years together. The breakup was first reported in January 2025, and later reporting in March 2025 pinpointed the split to December 2024 (The Independent (UK broadsheet)).
Why did Sam and Zara McDermott split up?
- According to a source close to the pair, the relationship ended after a tough year and no scandal was involved (MailOnline (UK tabloid)).
- Reports note that the couple spent Christmas and New Year separately before breakup reports emerged (Yahoo News UK (news aggregator)).
What were the rumors about Sam and Zara?
In June 2024, speculation intensified after Sam Thompson was photographed crying on Pete Wicks’ shoulder. At the time, Thompson explained he was crying because of a separate upsetting situation that had since been resolved (Metro (UK news outlet)). Some tabloids reported that Zara had packed her bags after a row and that the pair were trying to salvage the relationship (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
What did Sam Thompson say about his split from Zara McDermott?
Sam Thompson broke his silence in an interview with Grazia magazine. In it, he described the month as “tough” and spoke about the split in the past tense, effectively confirming the relationship was over (The Independent (UK broadsheet)).
The public narrative around Thompson’s emotional state frequently conflated his ADHD‑related overwhelm with relationship trouble, a pattern that blurred the timeline of the actual split.
Who is Sam Thompson in a relationship with?
As of 2024, Sam Thompson is not publicly dating anyone. He has not confirmed a new relationship since the split from Zara McDermott (MailOnline (UK tabloid)). Scouted at a gym, the pair reportedly began dating in 2019 and even lived together in London (Wikipedia (crowd‑sourced encyclopedia)).
The takeaway: For a celebrity who built much of his public image around a relationship, the single chapter is uncharted territory—and fans are watching closely.
The implication: for a celebrity who built much of his public image around a relationship, the single chapter is uncharted territory—and fans are watching closely.
What is Sam Thompson diagnosed with?
Sam Thompson was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He has spoken openly about his diagnosis and is an ambassador for ADHD UK (Metro (UK news outlet)).
His public emotional displays have often been interpreted through a tabloid lens, but Thompson himself has framed them as part of living with ADHD rather than relationship drama.
Is Jamie Laing still friends with Sam Thompson?
Jamie Laing and Sam Thompson remain close friends. They co-host a podcast together called diNelli (Metro (UK news outlet)). Laing was notably the person on whose shoulder Thompson was seen crying during the June 2024 rumors, underscoring their bond.
What do Sam Thompson’s parents do for a living?
Sam Thompson’s mother is a teacher, and his father is a businessman. He has also spoken in interviews about growing up in a supportive household that encouraged his creative pursuits.
Timeline of key events
- 2013–2021: Appeared on Made in Chelsea (Wikipedia (crowd‑sourced encyclopedia)).
- 2019: Began dating Zara McDermott (Wikipedia (crowd‑sourced encyclopedia)).
- 2023: Revealed ADHD diagnosis; became ambassador for ADHD UK.
- November 2023: Participated in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (Metro (UK news outlet)).
- June 2024: Relationship crisis rumors emerged after Thompson was seen crying (Metro (UK news outlet)).
- July 2024: Reports indicated the couple were still working through issues following the Strictly‑related scandal involving Graziano Di Prima (Metro (UK news outlet)).
- December 2024: Split reportedly occurred (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
- January 2025: Split first reported; Thompson broke silence (The Independent (UK broadsheet)).
The pattern: the timeline reveals how a single emotional photograph in June 2024 sparked months of speculation, long before the actual separation occurred.
What we know for sure vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Sam Thompson was born on 2 August 1992.
- He was diagnosed with ADHD and advocates for ADHD UK.
- He split from Zara McDermott in 2024 (reports vary between December 2024 and January 2025).
- He won I’m a Celebrity in November 2023.
- Jamie Laing remains a close friend and podcast co‑host.
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of the breakup (neither party has given a detailed explanation).
- Whether Thompson is currently in a new relationship (he has not been seen with anyone publicly).
- How much of the June 2024 emotional episode was related to relationship issues versus ADHD‑related stress.
What the key figures have said
“I definitely don’t feel like [the breakup] was a scandal — it was just a tough year. Sometimes things just don’t work out.”
— Sam Thompson, speaking to Grazia via The Independent
“The relationship ended after a difficult year. There’s no third party involved, no scandal — it’s just two people who grew apart.”
— Source close to the couple, quoted by MailOnline
For Sam Thompson, the coming months will test how well he can balance public scrutiny with personal growth. His choice to speak openly about ADHD and his breakup may strengthen his connection with fans, but it also leaves him vulnerable to constant speculation. The trade-off is clear: authenticity over privacy, and for Thompson, controlling the narrative when every smile—or tear—can be turned into a headline is the real challenge.
metro.co.uk, cosmopolitan.com, hitched.co.uk, youtube.com, mirror.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
When did Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott start dating?
They reportedly began dating in 2019 after meeting at a gym (Wikipedia (crowd‑sourced encyclopedia)).
How long were Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott together?
Approximately five years, until their split in late 2024.
Did Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott live together?
Yes, they lived together in London (Metro (UK news outlet)).
What did Zara McDermott say about the split?
She has not publicly discussed the breakup in detail.
Is Sam Thompson dating anyone new?
As of 2024, no new relationship has been reported or confirmed.
What is Sam Thompson’s relationship with his ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott?
The two are no longer together, and there have been no reports of ongoing contact.
Did Sam Thompson win I’m a Celebrity?
Yes, he was crowned winner of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in November 2023 (Metro (UK news outlet)).
What is Sam Thompson’s net worth?
Exact figures vary; estimates suggest a net worth in the region of £1–2 million from TV, endorsements, and his podcast.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.