Sam Thompson reveals true feelings on Louis Tomlinson in awkward Soccer Aid interview
Sam Thompson reveals true feelings on Louis Tomlinson in awkward Soccer Aid interview
The Made in Chelsea star and One Direction singer have come face to face at Soccer Aid training amid Zara McDermott drama
Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson
(Image: 2025 Mike Marsland )
Preparations for this year's Soccer Aid charity match have begun, with the England and World XI squads gathering for their training sessions before Sunday evening's clash at Old Trafford.
The huge event has provided plenty of memorable moments over the years, with celebrities and former professional footballers coming together to raise tens of millions of pounds for UNICEF since its launch in 2006, all while sharing plenty of laughs and showing off their varied range of skills on the pitch.
However, this year, there is set to be some awkwardness among the England ranks with squad members Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson coming face-to-face after a dramatic development in their respective romantic lives.
In December last year, Made In Chelsea star and former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! champion Thompson split from his girlfriend of five years, Zara McDermott.
Weeks later, McDermott - who rose to fame on the fourth series of Love Island in 2018 - went public with her new romance with One Direction star Tomlinson, with the pair since jetting off on romantic getaways to Costa Rica and Los Angeles.
Thompson has insisted there are "no hard feelings" between him and Tomlinson, but all eyes were on the pair when they reported to Soccer Aid training earlier this week and came face-to-face.
While Thompson has since been forced to miss out on playing in the big game after picking up a calf injury, he will still share the dressing room with Tomlinson after being handed a coaching role for the event.
After the lineups for this year's charity match were announced, the 32-year-old was grilled by close friend and The Only Way is Essex star Pete Wicks in an awkward interview on their Staying Relevant podcast.
Innocently asking about his friend's Soccer Aid preparations, Wicks said: "How are you feeling? You're playing again. Must be really exciting.
Grinning, he then added: 'How do you feel about the line-up? Do you think you've got a strong team?'
Thompson then awkwardly laughed and replied: "Got a really strong team.'
However, Wicks pressed further and asked: 'Any kind of people in there who you're looking forward to playing with?'
Continuing to dodge the question, Thompson tried to keep a straight face and said: "Loads. Tom Grennan. I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Wayne Rooney. Tyson Fury's the manager. I can't wait.'
A smirking Wicks then added: 'I mean, that's gonna be f***** amazing.
'Make sure you get him on side though, because you may need him in your corner in case you fall out with anyone. Not that you will, but just in case there's any rivalries or anything.
'You know, you have to train together and it's a lot, you know, when you're kind of in close quarters with someone like that. All sorts gets brought up. Anyway…'
As well as Tomlinson, the England team features ex-pros including Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Joe Hart as well as celebrities including Dame Denise Lewis, Bear Grylls and Sir Mo Farah.
Article continues below
Thompson will join an impressive coaching team made up of Wayne Rooney, Tyson Fury, David James and actress Vicky McClure.
Meanwhile, former football stars Nemanja Vidic, Carlos Tevez and Leonardo Bonucci will all be in action for the World XI as they play alongside the likes of Martin Compston, Dermot Kennedy and Bryan Habana.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Kate Middleton pulls out of Royal Ascot: Princess of Wales will not join Prince William and mother Carole at horse racing meet as she continues phased return to duties after cancer battle
The Princess of Wales has pulled out of attending Royal Ascot at the last minute as she continues to 'find the right balance' following her battle with cancer. Kate is said to be 'disappointed' at not attending the famous social and sporting occasion in Berkshire with her husband Prince William and the King and Queen. Racegoers had been hoping to see the Princess after the Prince of Wales was named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during the second day of the meet. Ascot officials had confirmed at 12pm that the Princess was due to be in the second carriage in the royal procession with William, in a published carriage list. But less than half an hour later, Kensington Palace confirmed just before 12.30pm that Kate would not be attending - and a revised carriage list was published by Ascot. MailOnline understands the Princess was 'disappointed' not to be in attendance 'but she has to find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements'. However, Kate's mother Carole Middleton did attend Ascot today, wearing a dress from luxury women's designer ME+EM - alongside her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, the wife of Kate's brother James Middleton. The 43-year-old Princess has been making a gradual return to public duties since it was announced in January that she was in remission from cancer. But in the past week she has attended three high-profile events - Trooping the Colour, the annual Order of the Garter service and a visit to a V&A storage facility in London. The Royal Ascot carriage list was published at 12pm with Kate included (left), then a revised version was issued just after 12.30pm (right) when it was announced she would not attend Today, Charles and Camilla were all smiles when they arrived at racecourse in a carriage that now included William who had been due to travel in the following coach with Kate. The King and Queen will be hoping for better luck with their horses after their much favoured thoroughbred Reaching High was well beaten in the Ascot Stakes yesterday. They have entered Rainbows Edge in the Kensington Palace Stakes, a fillies handicap, and their horse is favourite with a number of bookies. The Princess revealed in January she was in remission from cancer after making an emotional return to the specialist cancer institution, the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London, where she was treated to comfort fellow patients. She had been receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February last year with the King beginning his cancer care earlier that month following his diagnosis after treatment for an enlarged prostate. Announcing in September her treatment had ended, Kate described in an emotional video message how the previous nine months had been 'incredibly tough for us as a family' and 'doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus'. William later said in a separate interview how 2024 had been 'brutal'. Yesterday, the King and Queen enjoyed a day at the races at Ascot as they welcomed the girlfriend of the Princess Royal's son to the royal fold. Charles and Camilla hosted guests in the royal box on the first day of Royal Ascot including the King's nephew Peter Phillips and his partner, NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. Ms Sperling made an appearance for the first time in the carriage procession the Royal Family make onto the famous Berkshire racecourse to signal the start of the day. The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition begun during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. The King and Queen rode in the first carriage yesterday with Prince Faisal, a member of the Saudi royal family, and Lady Sarah Keswick, one of the Queen's official companions. Behind them travelled the Princess Royal with Camilla's sister Annabel Elliot and the Duke and Duchess of Wellington and they were followed by a coach carrying Anne's son Peter Phillips and his girlfriend. Other royals spotted among the crowds yesterday included Princess Beatrice and her mother Sarah, Duchess of York and Zara and Mike Tindall. The head of state and his wife have continued Queen Elizabeth II's close association with the Berkshire race meet but they had no luck with the sport of Kings when their horse Reaching High was well beaten in the Ascot Stakes. The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V states. Kate was last seen on Monday, joking and laughing when she made a return to one of the highlights of the royal calendar - a service celebrating the Order of the Garter. The princess, who missed last year's event during the period of her cancer treatment, was in good spirits when she watched the procession of Ladies and Knights of the Garter through the grounds of Windsor Castle to St George's Chapel. Kate was joined by the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence at the chapel's Galilee porch, a traditional vantage point to see the spectacle. The King and Queen followed convention and were at the back of the procession dressed in white plumed hats and dark blue velvet robes, as were the other members of the order including the Prince of Wales, Princess Royal and Duke of Edinburgh. Kate and Sophie burst into laughter just as the front of the procession passed by, with the elderly Military Knights of Windsor leading the way. William looked across at the porch as he approached the viewing spot but his wife was deep in conversation with the duchess and when Kate finally looked up William was chatting to Edward walking beside him. Kate and Sophie arrived together 15 minutes ahead of the procession and when two gentlemen ushers, who provide support at royal events, doffed their top hats one after the other at Kate and Sophie, the princess appeared to make a joke. The royal women looked stylish in wide-brimmed hats with Kate wearing an outfit by Self Portrait and a hat by Sean Barrett. The royals waved and smiled at the crowds as they were driven past just a few days after they took part in a carriage procession during Trooping the Colour on Saturday.
The Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ferne McCann enjoys glam day at the races as jailed acid attacker ex caught being injected with drugs
FERNE McCann enjoyed a picture-perfect day at the races as her ex Arthur Collins was embroiled in a prison drug scandal. The TOWIE alum gushed over her "gorgeous' day at Royal Ascot as she posted a series of images showing her in a plunging mint green gown. 7 7 7 Yet, at the same time, The Sun exclusively reported how the father to her seven-year-old daughter Sunday, who was jailed for an acid attack, had been caught getting a suspected steroid injection in his cell. Video of Arthur Collins, 32, taken on a smuggled phone, came as he was linked to drug drops by drone at jails in Herts and Greater Manchester. Meanwhile, mum of two Ferne, 34, was letting her hair down at the iconic annual sporting event. In her caption, she ignored the breaking scandal and wrote: "Royal Ascot you were gorgeous. "One of my favourite days. No big wins sadly although I did pocket £14.50, better than nothing right. "Thank you for having me @ascotracecourse @hunt_communications here's to next year." Images showed her in a plunging silk slip dress with cap sleeve detail and a ruched design on the front which accentuated her toned figure. Ferne paired the frock with white point-toe wedge shoes and a feathered fascinator. She left her brunette locks in natural waves flowing over her shoulders and kept her make-up natural. Ferne welcomed eldest daughter Sunday with acid attacker Arthur in 2017. Earlier that year, Ferne's then-boyfriend Arthur was charged with a London nightclub acid attack that happened in April. Ferne announced her pregnancy shortly after his arrest, stating the relationship was over and that she planned to raise their baby alone. Eight years ago, Arthur was found guilty of five counts of grievous bodily harm and nine of actual bodily harm, and sentenced to 20 years behind bars with an extra five on licence. TOWIE STARS SPIN OFF WITH the announcement TOWIE will return in 2025 for two new series, it's good news for some former ITVBE stars, too TWO of the show's best loved former stars will celebrate their own big life moments with a spin off series featuring Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou. Their new show title is currently unconfirmed. The pair, who first met and found love on TOWIE back in 2014, finally say 'I Do' in a three part special produced by Objective Entertainment. The show will follow on from the success of their Baby Steps series. JAIL JAB This weekend, we reported how Arthur appeared to be seen being injected in his bum in his jail cell. In the clip, he is asked, 'Hey, bruv, what are you doing?', by a fellow prisoner — before replying: 'Injecting.' The exchange was caught on our exclusive video, showing laughing Arthur apparently receiving a jab in his buttock from another lag. He could face disciplinary action after the body-building drug was seemingly sneaked into the jail, along with a handset used to record footage in his cell. Collins was recently switched from The Mount Prison — where the footage was taken — amid fears he was plotting to import drugs using drones. And it comes after a jail anti-corruption team found illicit items at his new home — HMP Buckley Hall, near Rochdale. A source said: 'Collins has been in trouble constantly and doesn't seem to care. He goes around like he is the big 'I am' and as if he rules the roost.' His actions will sicken the 22 victims of his 2017 attack when he hurled acid across in an East London nightclub — leaving 16 people with serious burns. 7 7 7
The Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Sun
Emma Raducanu sets fans' tongues wagging as she turns up to see Carlos Alcaraz who after makes flattering admission
CARLOS ALCARAZ hailed the support of Emma Raducanu in the Queen's stands as he booked a spot in the final. British No1 Raducanu had tennis fans' tongues wagging as she watched her US Open doubles partner cruise to a straight sets 6-4 6-4 win over Roberto Bautista Agut. 6 Alcaraz was cool as a cucumber throughout and hit an audacious volley to win the first set over the Spanish 37-year-old to set up the final clash with Jiri Lehecka. The 22-year-old has not lost since April 20 in Barcelona and is enjoying the longest winning streak of his career with 17 successive victories. When asked about Raducanu, who he has previously been romantically linked with online, Alcaraz said: 'I saw on social media she came up to watch my match, 'Just glad that she came to support, to watch my match. It was great having her in the stands." Further quizzed if he could return the favour by attending some of Raducanu's matches prior to their US Open date, Alcaraz added: "Well, it depends on the schedule, obviously. "I have practices. I have matches. Yeah, I would love to, yeah, if I have time, if, you know, if everything -- if I'm at the club or I don't have anything else to do, yeah, I would love to come and watch her. "I'm watching her matches from the TV every time that I can. So watching her in real could be fun." Alcaraz is in red hot form with four titles to his name already this year and hunting down a third successive Wimbledon title later this month. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 6 First, he will attempt to beat Lehecka to lift his second title in three years at the Queen's Club. Raducanu, meanwhile, will be in Eastbourne action tomorrow as she prepares for Wimbledon. 'She was not OK' - Axed coach claims Emma Raducanu's mental state played major role in his swift exit The 22-year-old lost to Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals at Queen's last week. Having received treatment on court, Raducanu subsequently pulled out of this week's WTA 500 event in Berlin. The former US Open champion is fit again and will take on America's Ann Li at Devonshire Park on Monday. Should Raducanu triumph, she could face two-time former Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur in round two.
