Sam Thompson, the Made In Chelsea star and I'm A Celebrity winner, has shared his experience with tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing or buzzing in the ears. He revealed the diagnosis on Fearne Cotton's podcast Happy Place, explaining that the noise worsens with his anxiety.
'Savage' condition
Thompson, 33, described tinnitus as 'savage' and said it feels like a 'drill in your ear' at night when he becomes more anxious. He consulted an ear specialist who told him there was nothing that could be done to stop the ringing. 'There's nothing, there's quite literally nothing you can do,' the specialist said, to which Thompson replied, 'But it won't stop.'
Thompson joins other celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Sylvester Stallone, and Chris Martin who also suffer from tinnitus.
Mental health advocacy
The reality star has been open about his mental health, including diagnoses of ADHD in 2023 and autism last year. He said that receiving these diagnoses has been a relief: 'Every time I get these things it's just a bit more of the weight lifted off my shoulders.'
Thompson regularly attends therapy and credits his therapist for being candid with him. He also relies on close friends like Pete Wicks and James Dunmore for support, often taking them out for Nando's so he can talk through his concerns. 'Talking is the therapy, not so much the therapist,' he told the Mirror.
