Sam Thompson has opened up about taking a significant step forward in his relationship with girlfriend Talitha Balinska, confessing he has told her he loves her for the first time. The 33-year-old Made In Chelsea star shared the charmingly awkward story behind his declaration during the latest episode of his Staying Relevant podcast.
The Awkward Sofa Confession
Speaking to his best friend Pete Wicks, Sam revealed that he finally expressed his feelings while sitting on the sofa with Talitha. He admitted he had "known for a bit" that he was in love but had struggled to say the words out loud. The television personality described his nervous build-up, where he repeatedly told Talitha "I like you" and "I like you a lot" instead of directly expressing his deeper emotions.
A Comedy of Errors
Sam recounted the moment with humorous detail, explaining how he initially panicked when Talitha asked what his "I like you" really meant. In a moment of sheer awkwardness, he blurted out "it means I hate you" before quickly correcting himself. After Talitha confessed she had expected something "really nice," Sam finally managed to say "I think I love you," leading to a brief silence before they both properly exchanged "I love you" declarations.
The couple then pressed play on their movie and sat in silence before bursting into laughter. Sam reflected that this shared awkwardness made the moment special, saying "That's why I love her - we are both quite awkward people, and so it was quite a nice moment."
Relationship Timeline
The pair began dating in September 2024, following Sam's split from former girlfriend Zara McDermott earlier that year. Sam officially confirmed his relationship with the 25-year-old influencer in early December, and the couple have since been spotted enjoying date nights with friends and family, including Sam's sister Louise and her fiancé Ryan Libbey.
Looking Forward
Since making his feelings known, Sam says he "can't stop" telling Talitha he loves her and is already planning a ski trip for their first Valentine's Day together next month. The couple recently celebrated their first Christmas together, sharing festive snaps with Sam's mother, his sister Louise, her fiancé Ryan, and their son Leo.
A source close to Sam told The Daily Mail that while 2025 began difficultly for the presenter following his breakup, he has now emerged in a "much better place" and is "thriving" with Talitha. The insider added that Sam is "genuinely looking forward to the future" and building momentum into 2026.
The relationship milestone comes during a successful period for Sam, who has enjoyed a sold-out show at London's O2 Arena and achieved significant charity accomplishments alongside his new romance.
