I’m A Celebrity’s Sam Thompson reveals ‘strain’ on relationship with girlfriend Zara McDermott ahead of jungle debut
I’M A CELEBRITY’S Sam Thompson has revealed the “strain” that has been put on his relationship with girlfriend Zara McDermott, ahead of his jungle debut.
The Made in Chelsea star, 31, is part of this year’s I’m a Celeb line-up and this weekend joins a whole host of famous faces in camp.
Sam and Strictly Come Dancing star Zara, 26, have been dating since 2019, and live together in his native Chelsea.
But he has now admitted that conflicting schedules means the couple are set to spend another month apart.
The pair have had overlapping schedules since Zara signed up for Strictly in August.
Speaking about their time apart Sam said ahead of his jungle stint: “Obviously it is a strain for anyone’s heartstrings.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss my girlfriend so much.
“I already do miss her. But having said that, what an amazing experience.’
The podcast host added: “The thing is, there was a potential for them overlapping. But as I said, what a wonderful problem to have.
“I can’t speak to Zara, but I know she thinks the same thing. I can’t believe that we even had two rival shows.”
It comes as Hollyoaks star Nick Pickard revealed what the hardest part of entering the jungle will be for him – saying goodbye to his family.
The actor is a dad to daughter Ellie.
“That was the difficult part,” he said of saying goodbye to his girl, before joking that he was Down Under to go on a fishing trip.
“It’s a long old fishing trip!” he laughed.
Nick has played the iconic character since the birth of the northern soap so will be hoping to show fans who is behind the character.
And he admitted he did not know how he was going to be written out of the show.
Nick revealed: “Do you know what, I’ve not even asked them that. You sort of say you’re going and they sign you off.”
A TV source told The Sun: “Tony from Hollyoaks – as Nick will always happily be known as – is an absolute soap legend and a huge signing for I’m A Celeb.
“Soap stars always do brilliantly on the show because they come with a loyal following and they don’t come more down-to-earth and likeable than Nick.
“Of course Hollyoaks was recently moved online by Channel 4 so it comes at a helpful time for the soap too, helping introduce that younger online audience to Nick via I’m A Celeb’s huge reach.”
The full I’m A Celebrity 2023 line-up are heading into camp this weekend, with politicians, influencers and daytime stars being thrown into the nation’s most famous camp.
Ant and Dec will welcome the latest stars brave enough to tackle stomach-churning bushtucker trials and terrifying challenges on Sunday November 19.
And this year’s show is set to be one of the best yet with twelve top names from the worlds of Westminster, Albert Square and even the MasterChef kitchen.
ITV appears to have upped the ante on its famous Bushtucker Trials too, with The Sun’s exclusive footage showing the Walk The Plank challenge has received a devilish makeover.
I’m A Celebrity kicks off tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV