Sam Thompson is an English Television and Radio presenter and Podcast host who has had a thriving career within the entertainment industry. rose to fame via Made in Chelsea but has since participated in many popular Reality TV shows. He achieved his highest level of success when he won I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! 2023 edition where he was crowned King of the Jungle. Since that time, he has diversified his career through the means of radio, television hosting and the very popular Staying Relevant Podcast with Pete Wicks. Sam has been open about his condition of having ADHD.
Early Life, Age and Family Background
Sam Thompson was born on 2 August 1992 in London. He grew up in West London and attended Bradfield College in Berkshire. His full name is Samuel Robert De Courcy Thompson. He is the younger brother of Louise Thompson, who also became famous through Made in Chelsea. His family connection to the show helped introduce him to television, but he soon built his own reputation. Hits Radio confirms his date of birth, West London background and education.
His early years on television showed a young personality who enjoyed making people laugh. He often brought energy and excitement to the programme. That style helped him become one of the show’s familiar faces. Viewers also followed his friendships and relationships as he became more involved in the series. His time on the show gave him a strong starting point for a wider entertainment career.
Television was only the beginning of his career. Over time, he moved into radio, podcasting and presenting. He also became involved in charity projects and children’s publishing. These different roles have helped him stay in the public eye. His career now reaches far beyond the reality show that first made him famous.
Made in Chelsea and Rise to Fame
He joined Made in Chelsea in 2013 and quickly became a popular member of the cast. When he first appeared, he worked as Jamie Laing’s intern at Candy Kittens. His humorous approach to the job gave viewers plenty of entertaining moments. The show later gave him a larger role, and he became one of its best-known personalities. Hits Radio says he appeared in 174 episodes across his time on the programme.
He left Made in Chelsea in 2018 before returning to the series in 2019. His second period on the show continued until 2021, when he left after series 21. During those years, viewers saw his friendships, relationships and personal growth. His natural humour helped him stand out from the other cast members. The programme also gave him a loyal audience that followed his later projects.
After leaving the show, he continued to take on new television opportunities. He appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Celebrity Coach Trip and The Celebrity Circle. Each programme gave him a different challenge and helped him develop his television skills. His biggest reality-TV success came in 2023 when he entered the jungle on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
I’m a Celebrity Win and Television Career
His appearance on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! became one of the biggest moments of his television career. He entered the 2023 series after already building a strong following through reality television. The jungle gave viewers a chance to see a different side of his personality. His humour, energy and friendly approach helped him become popular with the public. On 10 December 2023, viewers voted for him to win the series, putting him ahead of Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage.
Some of his important television projects include:
- Made in Chelsea
- I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
- Celebrity Big Brother
- Celebs Go Dating
- Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
- Celebrity Bake Off
- Celebrity Sabotage
- I’m a Celebrity: Unpacked
After his jungle victory, he continued to take on different television roles. Hits Radio reports that he appeared on Celebrity Bake Off and ITV’s Celebrity Sabotage in 2026. He also joined the I’m a Celebrity: Unpacked team after his own jungle experience and later returned to the franchise through its official podcast. These projects helped him move from being mainly known as a reality-TV contestant to becoming a wider entertainment presenter.
His television career has therefore continued to grow several years after his Made in Chelsea debut. He has worked across reality shows, entertainment programmes and presenting projects. Rather than relying on one programme, he has built a career across different formats. His 2023 jungle victory remains a major highlight, while his later television work shows how he has developed as a broadcaster.
Radio, Staying Relevant Podcast and Media Career
Radio has become one of the biggest parts of his career. He joined Hits Radio in 2022 and has continued to work with the station. Current information from Hits Radio says he presents Saturday mornings from 9am and hosts The Hits UK Chart on Sundays from 4pm. The chart show counts down some of the UK’s biggest songs each week.
His radio work gives him a chance to speak directly with listeners. He has described the family feeling around his show as one of the things he enjoys most. Listener messages and phone conversations allow him to create a relaxed atmosphere. His move into radio also shows how he has developed beyond reality television. Today, broadcasting is an important part of his professional life.
Podcasting has also played a major role in his career. He co-hosts Staying Relevant with Pete Wicks. The pair built the show around conversations, humour and stories from their lives in entertainment. The podcast became a major success and helped create another strong connection with their audience. Their work together has also expanded into live events, merchandise and publishing.
Zara McDermott, One Direction Connection and Personal Life
His relationship with Zara McDermott became a major part of his public profile. The pair began dating in 2019 and were together for around five years. Their split later attracted attention because McDermott began a relationship with Louis Tomlinson, the former One Direction singer. This explains why online searches sometimes connect him with One Direction. He was never a member of the group.
The One Direction connection comes from his former relationship with McDermott and her later relationship with Tomlinson. It does not relate to a music career of his own. He is mainly known as a television personality, radio presenter and podcaster rather than a singer. Searches for “Sam Thompson singer” or “Sam Thompson One Direction” can therefore create confusion with other people or with stories connected to his former relationship.
His personal life has since moved forward. Hits Radio currently reports that he is dating DJ Talitha Balinska. The station says they made their relationship public in December 2025. Online searches also include questions about a possible daughter, but there is no reliable public confirmation that he has a daughter. It is better to avoid treating unverified claims as fact.
ADHD, Charity Work, Children’s Book and Latest Career
Another important part of his public work involves ADHD awareness. He explored the subject in the Channel 4 documentary Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD? The programme followed his decision to seek an assessment as he approached his 30th birthday. He received an ADHD diagnosis during the documentary. He later became an ADHD UK Celebrity Ambassador and has continued to discuss the subject publicly.
His ADHD work has also moved into children’s publishing. In April 2026, he announced his first children’s book, You, Me & ADHD. The book was released in May 2026 and aims to help children and families understand ADHD in a positive way. This project adds another area to his career and builds on his public work around ADHD awareness.
Charity work is another major part of his recent career. He has taken part in Soccer Aid and other fundraising projects. In 2025, he completed a 260-mile Match Ball Mission from Stamford Bridge in London to Old Trafford in Manchester. The challenge raised more than £2 million for Soccer Aid for UNICEF. He also returned to the Soccer Aid event in 2026.
- Also Read. Latest UK News What’s Happening Today
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sam in a relationship with?
He is reported to be dating DJ and model Talitha Balinska in 2026.This follows his previous relationship with Zara McDermott.
What is Sam diagnosed with?
He was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 30.He has since spoken publicly about ADHD awareness and his experiences.
Have Sam and Zara split up?
Yes, the couple ended their relationship after around five years together.Their separation became public in early 2025.
Is Sam a millionaire?
He has earned money through television, radio, podcasting and presenting.However, his exact current net worth has not been officially confirmed.
What is Sam Thompson famous for?
He became known through Made in Chelsea and later won I’m a Celebrity.He now works across television, radio and podcasting.
Conclusion
Sam Thompson has established himself in the diverse fields of British television, radio, and podcasting. From his early role in Made in Chelsea to his eventual win of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2023, Thompson’s career highlights the possibilities for reality show celebrities to have sustainable careers. The involvement of Sam in Staying Relevant, radio hosting and television has allowed him to gain more exposure. He has even leveraged his fame in raising awareness about ADHD and doing charitable work. His honesty, humor, and exuberant personality will continue to be an integral part of his appeal.
