Reality TV personality Sam Thompson has made a light-hearted yet pointed accusation against his ex-partner, Zara McDermott, claiming she made off with one of his most cherished possessions following their breakup.
The Great Croc Caper
The former Made In Chelsea star, aged 33, ended his five-year relationship with Zara in January this year. Shortly after McDermott moved out of the Chelsea home they shared, Thompson noticed something was amiss. Appearing on the Staying Relevant podcast, which he co-hosts with Pete Wicks from The Only Way Is Essex, Sam disclosed the loss.
When Wicks quizzed him on what he would wear to a high-profile fashion event, Thompson immediately answered "Crocs" for shock value. Pete then observed that Sam hadn't worn them in a while, prompting the revelation. "Yeah, Zara took them," Sam confessed, to which a sympathetic Wicks could only reply, "Oh god."
Moving On and Moving In
Not wanting to dwell on the split or the missing footwear, Thompson quickly changed the subject, stating his need for a new pair as he currently owns none. This conversation comes as Sam has officially confirmed his new romance with actress and model Talitha Balinska, 25.
The pair first met two years ago when Balinska modelled for Sam's sunglasses brand, Dinelli. At that time, Thompson was still in a relationship with Zara. They are believed to have reconnected after she attended one of his live shows at the O2 Arena.
On his podcast, an excited Sam announced, "I've got a girlfriend. I've got a girlfriend!" He described the low-key moment he made things official, saying he told her, "I really, really like you... I don't want to be dating anyone else. I'm 33, I wouldn't be dating someone this amount of time if I didn't think it had legs to last. So will you be my girlfriend?" She said yes.
A New Chapter Begins
While the loss of his Crocs marks a quirky footnote to the end of his long-term relationship with Zara McDermott, Sam Thompson is clearly focused on the future. His relationship with Talitha Balinska is now public, and he appears to be embracing this new chapter with characteristic enthusiasm.
The story, blending heartbreak with humour over a pair of unconventional shoes, offers a glimpse into the post-split dynamics of reality TV stars, where even the most ordinary items can become symbolic souvenirs.
