Sam Thompson has opened up about the ‘uncomfortable’ period following his split from Zara McDermott late last year following their five-year romance.
The TV personality, 32, insisted that sometimes a difficult period can ‘shock’ someone into making a much-needed change in their life.
Following their split, Zara began dating former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, 33, who joined Sam as one of the Soccer Aid players this year.
Appearing on his close friend Pete Wicks‘ Man Made podcast, he candidly reflected on the past year following the split and how he has evolved.
In an exclusive preview shared with MailOnline, he said: ‘It’s such a weird one because I still look to people for help all the time.
‘I look to you, if I’m ever in a problem, I’ll call you, I’ll call Marvin, I’ll call Tony, I’ll call Ryan, my brother-in -law, I’ll call Louise.
‘I have a lot of people who I depend on and as much as I love that, I still feel inside like I’m not quite at the place where I can take care of myself.’
Sam Thompson has opened up about the ‘uncomfortable’ period following his split from Zara McDermott late last year following their five-year romance
The TV personality, 32, insisted that sometimes a difficult period can ‘shock’ someone into making a much-needed change in their life (pictured Sam’s ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott)
Pete asked: ‘So do you think then that asking people for help or being dependent on other people makes you less of a man?’
Sam clarified: ‘Asking for help, no. I think I lean a little bit too heavily into the depending.’
Since the breakup, Sam has thrown himself into huge challenges – including his gruelling UNICEF mission, where he transported the Soccer Aid ball from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford by foot and by bike over five days.
Pete asked him: ‘So at what point do you think you’re going to start depending on yourself? And how will you know?’
Sam replied: ‘Oh, that’s a great question. I’ll be honest with you, mate. After the UNICEF challenge, I already think I started doing it more.
‘Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations and realizing that you can handle uncomfortable situations.
‘I mean, this year, there’s been one big uncomfortable situation […] I feel like you need a bad year or not bad year but an uncomfortable year to change who you are as a person.
‘You need almost like a shock to put you into sort of like a new phase of your life.’
Since the breakup, Sam has thrown himself into huge challenges – including his gruelling UNICEF mission, where he transported the Soccer Aid ball from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford by foot and by bike over five days
Appearing on his pal Pete Wicks ‘ Man Made podcast, he candidly reflected on the past year
Sam managed to raise an incredible £1,516,433 for UNICEF during the five-day journey last month.
Despite suffering horrendous injuries, the Made In Chelsea star pushed through agonising pain to complete the 260-mile challenge.
However, on the very first day, he broke down in tears to presenter Ben Shephard after completing his first marathon.
Reflecting on his emotions, Sam told Pete that he has always been an emotional person.
Pete asked: ‘In what way do you mean emotional?’
Sam explained: ‘I’d cry a lot, like I’d feel things. This is really lame but I remember watching like an Oxfam documentary and like going to my mum’s bedroom and crying.
‘I mean, I just didn’t understand what’s going on. Like really feel things.
‘When I got older, maybe it was school you were almost taught it’s not cool to have those feelings of real empathy, I have noticed this when I got older it’s like I blocked something in my head and then it’s only in certain situations that side of me comes out.
It comes after Sam and Zara ended their relationship in December, following a holiday season spent separately
‘I remember on the challenge, I had it on day one and I was like don’t cry on f*****g day one I was like come on man like you can’t be that guy cries on the day one and I remember I just finished the first marathon obviously just done my leg in I remember like just crying into the physios f*****g arms and I was like what the hell is going on.
‘Then Ben Shepard turned up on day one I didn’t know Ben Shepard that well, he’s a lovely guy and I really needed him actually.
‘But like I just cried to Ben Shepard, and I was like what the f**k is going on? I just feel like I think I must just have so much pent up stuff in me.’
It comes after Sam and Zara ended their relationship in December, following a holiday season spent separately.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline at the time: ‘Sam and Zara have ended their relationship. It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways, they still care and have a lot of love for each other.
‘But after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025.
‘There has been no scandal or fallout between them, it’s just the result of a difficult year, where they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects.’
The couple were last seen together celebrating Zara’s birthday in December, where Sam dedicated an Instagram post to his girlfriend, calling her his ‘soulmate’ and ‘best friend.’
In the latest, Sam is now dating American holistic nutritionist Steph Robinson, while Zara has moved on with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson
In the latest, Sam is now dating American holistic nutritionist Steph Robinson, while Zara has moved on with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
Their blossoming romance comes two weeks after MailOnline revealed the Made In Chelsea favourite was single again following the end of his relationship with Love Island’s Samie Elishi.
Podcaster Sam, who was spotted on celebrity dating app Raya post-breakup from Samie, recently admitted he needed time to heal before getting to know someone new, saying: ‘I’m going to work on myself. No dating, I’m not ready and I’ve realised that.’
But Sam and Steph have been seen together in the capital, where the nutritionist is currently residing, captioning an Instagram post in June, which was liked by Sam: ‘London, I will be seeing a lot more of you soon.’
A source told MailOnline: ‘Sam and Steph have been on a date and are getting to know each other.
‘They connected through a mutual friend and didn’t waste any time to meet in person, especially given Steph isn’t always in town.
‘Steph travels a lot for her work as a content creator but is currently spending an extended period in London and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
‘Sam is definitely having fun as a single man, going out when he isn’t working, and spreading his wings.’
Sam’s new love interest has gone viral, sharing her views on health and nutrition, including a post where she warned fans against drinking oat milk, claiming there are other non-dairy products which are better for your body.
Steph travels the world reviewing health retreats including in Austria and Mexico and regularly shares recipes to help her following banish toxic eating habits.
MailOnline has contacted Sam’s spokesperson for comment.
