Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson has revealed to the Mirror just how hard his Soccer Aid challenge was as he almost had to quit his 250-mile run and cycle for charity
Sam Thompson has told how he bravely defied medics who told him to quit after just one day as he completed his massive Soccer Aid challenge against the odds. The star revealed to the Mirror how there were talks about him being “medically discharged” on Monday because of his debilitating injury.
He reveals: “I was crying into my physio’s arms on day one, because I was just so terrified that I was going to be that guy who took this on and got medically discharged. They were talking about doing that but I was like ‘no’.”
The star suffered a full rip of his calf muscle towards the end of the first marathon. Opening up about the full scale of injury, he said his leg “completely gave up” at one point.
“I just got into a fast hobble and that just about worked,” he admitted as he crossed the line with donations to UNICEF hitting a staggering £1,516,433.22.
Sam was delivering the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball from last year’s stadium, Stamford Bridge, London, to the home of this year’s match, Old Trafford, Manchester. The total distance was 261miles.
As the Mirror helped him hobble to the nearby hotel for an ice-bath, he said: “I’m on double codeine and paracetamol…I am not going to lie, it hurts a lot.”
He said he was massively buoyed by the Prime Minister calling him “inspiring” yesterday morning.
Sir Keir said: “My message to Sam is he is doing a fantastic job, I’ve seen the footage of him running with that injury – it’s inspiring. All tribute to him and I applaud what he’s doing, particular if he’s got an injury. Soccer Aid is always good and I’ll do anything to support it that I can.”
And Sam told us: “I can’t believe he knows my name. It’s absolutely mad. The fact that we’ve got so many eyeballs on UNICEF and Soccer Aid as a whole, it’s just so, so phenomenal. Like, even the Prime Minister – if he’s even heard about this challenge – it’s just so powerful.”
Sam was greeted by his sister Louise, her fiancé Ryan Libbey and their son Leo as he crossed the line with all of them in floods of tears.
And he said: “Oh, mate, she’s just been so supportive. She’s like a rock, her and Ryan…they’ve been through this entire five days every step of the way; that’s what family’s for.
“The charity is the main thing, of course, and it always will be. But this also shows people the power of friendship and family. I know that sounds really corny, but if you have a core group of friends around you, you can do anything.”
Sam faced spells of torrential rain on an extended bike ride on day two, as well as his inner demons. He has been very open about his mental health, including a late autism diagnosis. But a succession of famous friends have lifted his spirits on the journey.
TV hosts Josie Gibson, Chris Hughes and Jamie Laing have all supported him during the dark times. But his reunion and pep-talk with best mate Pete Wicks is especially spurring him on. He says: “I’m so blown away by people’s generosity.It’s all going to Unicef ‘s work for kids around the world. I’ve seen it firsthand and know the difference it will make.”
READ MORE: Vet tells dog owner ‘prepare for the worst’ but 89p-a-day ‘improved condition 100%’
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .