Sam Thompson breaks silence on 'crying' pics after Zara McDermott 'row'
Sam Thompson has spoken out after he was pictured being consoled by Pete Wicks at the TRIC Awards last Tuesday, amid reports of “crisis talks” with girlfriend Zara McDermott.
The I'm A Celebrity winner was spotted in an emotional exchange with his close friend in the smoking area at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.
Thompson explained that he had received "really bad news" on the day of the event, which left him feeling "really sad" and assured fans he wasn’t crying, despite reports.
Speaking on the recent episode of Staying Relevant, he explained: “I wasn't crying, I wasn't actually crying. I just want to let everyone know that now.
“Look, there's no way of getting around it. I had actually received some bad news, so I actually was really sad, I'm not going to lie about it, but I was.”
He added: “There was a paparazzi shot which said 'Sam Thompson crying after THAT argument with girlfriend Zara', after the Soccer Aid thing. They linked both of them together."
The radio host explained how Wicks took him to a quieter area behind the hotel to offer comfort and support during the difficult moment.
“There's a few things here, I was really sad, and Pete being my best mate, he took me outside and the beauty of it was that Pete said we can't go out the front because there were a lot of paps there,” he continued.
“So, we went through the back. I let it go, I let it all out. I'm literally head-butting Pete's shoulder - I'm literally caressed into his armpit.
“He's being such a good mate and saying he's always there for me and I'm feeling really sorry for myself. I thought, ‘at least nobody is going to see this’, but little did I know that later that day the pictures were everywhere.”
Thompson’s recent podcast episode follows reports of “crisis talks” with his girlfriend, claims which both have downplayed.
Before the TRIC Awards, McDermott was pictured gesturing emphatically at the former Made In Chelsea star just weeks earlier at Soccer Aid, leading to claims they were having an argument.
However, the Love Island star later clarified that she was giving him a passionate pep talk.
“It looks like we are having an argument but I’m telling him positive affirmations in a very passionate manner,” the 27-year-old said.
