Sam Thompson appeared anxious about crossing paths with ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott at Saturday night’s star-studded BRIT Awards, after the former couple arrived at London’s O2 Arena just minutes apart.
MailOnline reported that Sam and Zara ended their five-year relationship in December. Shortly afterwards, the former Strictly star revealed that she had moved out of their Chelsea home.
Ahead of the A-list ceremony, the 32-year-old podcast host and the 28-year-old former Love Island star narrowly missed each other while posing for photographers.
Sam looked smart in a black tuxedo worn over a stylish navy shirt. He initially posed alone before being joined on the red carpet by his sister, Louise Thompson.
MailOnline understands that the I’m A Celebrity winner then hurried along the remainder of the carpet, declining to stop and speak to the press.
His close friend Pete Wicks, however, told MailOnline exclusively while speaking alongside Olivia Attwood that Sam was “struggling tonight”.
Sam Thompson appeared nervous about encountering ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott at Saturday night’s BRIT Awards after they arrived just minutes apart
MailOnline reported that Sam and Zara split in December after five years together, with the former Strictly star later revealing she had moved out of their Chelsea home; pictured at the BRITs 2024
The former TOWIE star said: “I’m not without him, he’s actually right there, just there. It’s hard for him tonight because I have a new work wife and Sam is struggling with that a little bit.”
Olivia added: “Sam did grab me earlier and said, ‘Liv, just so you know I will be with you tonight,’ and I said I fully anticipated that you would be.”
Pete continued: “It does feel a little bit weird because I feel like I am…” before Olivia interrupted to joke that he was “cheating”.
He playfully replied: “Yes it does, nicely done Liv. Because I’ve never done that.”
Just minutes after Sam left the carpet, Zara made a dramatic entrance in a striking white gown featuring a daring thigh-high split.
The television personality looked elegant in the glamorous halterneck dress, which was finished with a short train, feather detailing and a high slit.
She added height with a pair of pointed white heels and swept her long blonde hair into a sleek updo.
Zara beamed as she posed for solo photographs before making a quick entrance into the arena.
Zara made a striking entrance in a white gown with a daring thigh-high split shortly after Sam left the carpet
Sam looked dapper in a black tuxedo over a navy shirt and posed alone before being joined by his sister Louise Thompson
The I’m A Celebrity winner quickly walked the rest of the carpet after posing for photographs and did not stop to speak to the press
Pete Wicks told MailOnline exclusively while speaking alongside Olivia Attwood that “Sam is struggling tonight”
Fortunately for the former couple, they were seated far apart, making another awkward encounter unlikely. Sam sat at the Hitz radio table with Pete and Olivia, while Zara was reportedly in a box away from the floor seating.
After the ceremony, Sam joined Pete and Olivia at the glamorous Universal Music afterparty at 180 The Strand. Zara, meanwhile, is believed to have gone straight home.
The BRIT Awards appearance came weeks after Sam admitted that Valentine’s Day had felt like a “punch to the gut” as he spoke about being single following his split from Zara.
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Speaking on his Staying Relevant podcast on Valentine’s Day, the television personality told co-host Pete that the romantic occasion was the “longest day of the f***ing year”.
Pete, who is also a Strictly star, jokingly pleaded with Zara to “please take Sam back” as the reality personality discussed experiencing “tough times” and explained how he had changed his home into a space where he could “forget about the entire world”.
Sam said: “I’m so happy Valentine’s Day is over. I’m over the moon, longest day of the f***ing year, never realised how long it is before. You just don’t realise until you’re alone.
“That day, I did have some time off social media, I played chess with a friend. Marvin [Humes] called me to check in, but you didn’t call me, Pete.”
Pete replied: “I don’t need to call you, you’re a 32-year-old man.”
Sam added: “I would have really liked that, just some sort of reach-out.
“I used to love a Valentine’s Day Instagram post. I loved posting one and viewing other people’s, but when you’re single it hits differently. Now it feels like a punch to the gut.”
“When I wasn’t single I was like, ‘I love love,’ but now I’m like, ‘No, no, no!’”
Zara made a glamorous entrance in a stunning white gown and happily stopped to pose for photographers
The former couple were seated a considerable distance apart, with Sam at the Hitz radio table and Zara reportedly in a box
Sam attended the glamorous Universal Music afterparty at 180 The Strand with Pete and Olivia, while Zara is believed to have gone home
Sam also revealed that he had recently turned to online gaming and moved a television into his bedroom so he would not have to “get up”.
The ITV star said: “I played a lot of games on Valentine’s Day. I’m going to do a gaming meet-up soon. There are four of us and we’ve not met before.
“I now have a TV on the bed so I don’t even have to get up.”
Pete joked: “You’ve been eating and playing in bed and not even getting up and going into the office. Zara, please take him back.”
“People go through tough times differently. That’s my safe space right now. Gaming makes you forget about the entire world; it’s really nice,” Sam added.
Sam and Zara also shared two cats, Albus and Cedric, during their relationship.
More recently, Sam appeared to hint that he may not have been responsible for the couple’s split as he discussed their breakup publicly for the first time.
During an appearance on Love Island’s Morning After podcast, Sam was asked whether he would date someone his family disliked. His family includes his sister and Made In Chelsea co-star Louise, who lives next door.
“Absolutely not,” the I’m A Celebrity winner told co-hosts Amy Hart and Indiyah Polack.
“No chance. I live next to my sister and I’m very lucky my sister has liked all my girlfriends, which is great,” he continued.
“Most of the time when we break up, it is my fault in my sister’s eyes. My sister will look at me and go, ‘What have you done?’ every time. And I’ll be like, ‘It’s not even me!’”
