In the world of British reality television, few friendships seem as improbable as the bond between Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson. One is the perma-tanned, streetwise Essex lad from ITV's The Only Way Is Essex; the other is the exuberant, privately-educated star of E4's Made In Chelsea. Yet, this unlikely pairing has evolved into one of the UK's most successful podcasting duos, captivating a million listeners a month.
From Celebs Go Dating to Brotherly Bond
The pair first crossed paths in 2019 on the E4 series Celebs Go Dating, where Wicks was tasked with coaching Thompson in the art of flirtation. "Sam caught this girl's eye and waved at her. He actually waved," Wicks recalls with a cringe. However, a pivotal moment solidified their connection. When a date switched her attention from Thompson to Wicks, the latter was fiercely protective. "It deeply aggravated me, because he's such a genuine, nice guy, for someone to disrespect him like that," says Wicks.
Thompson adds, "No one had ever stuck up for me like that before. That's the moment we became like brothers." This foundation led them to launch their podcast, Staying Relevant, in 2022. What began as a digital venture quickly escalated into sold-out live shows in 2024 and 2025, a triumphant win at the Television And Radio Industries Club Awards in June, and an instant Sunday Times bestseller when they published a book of the same name in October.
Divergent Paths to the Spotlight
Their journeys to fame were markedly different. Wicks, 37, born in Harlow, Essex, never sought celebrity. Working odd jobs from age 12 to help his single mother, he found success in medical recruitment before reluctantly joining TOWIE. "In reality TV, you get screen-time and stay relevant by being the a***hole who's involved in some relationship drama... I was good at it," he admits. His 2016 relationship with co-star Megan McKenna and its subsequent tabloid-fuelled collapse led to intense public vitriol and even death threats, a period he confronted in his 2024 memoir, Never Enough.
Meanwhile, Sam Thompson, 33, actively pursued a place on Made In Chelsea after producers visited the bar where he worked. "I desperately wanted to be part of it," he confesses. His experience was less glamorous, struggling with on-screen romance and facing rejection. "Some guys on Made In Chelsea told me not to bother getting an agent because they thought I didn't have a future," he says. This rejection only fuelled his determination.
Confronting Demons and Championing Each Other
Both have faced significant personal challenges. Wicks has navigated his 'love rat' persona and now hosts a solo podcast, Man Made, exploring modern masculinity. Thompson, diagnosed with ADHD and autism in 2023, documented his journey in an E4 documentary. He also endured a very public break-up with former Love Island star Zara McDermott in early 2025, a process for which he sought therapy.
Their friendship has been a constant through these trials. A defining moment came in 2023 when, after Thompson won I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, it was Wicks waiting for him at the end of the rope bridge. "After I won, Pete said to me, 'You smashed it, mate... don't worry about me,'" Thompson shares. "I didn't like that because I don't want to do anything without him. I want him to share everything I do for the rest of my life."
Despite their closeness, they maintain separate lives. Wicks lives alone in Stratford, east London, while Thompson remains in the house he renovated with McDermott, focusing on family and being an uncle to his sister Louise's four-year-old son, Leo. Their dynamic balances Thompson's "puppyish energy" with Wicks's more reserved, protective nature. "I've always been attracted to calm, strong older male friends. I need a big-brother character who balances me," Thompson explains.
As they look to the future, both express a desire to become fathers, though Wicks feels unready at 37. Their podcast often features humorous speculation about imaginary daughters named Olive and Rose. Thompson, now in a new relationship with DJ and model Talitha Balinska, even joked about the pair adopting together. Wicks swiftly retorted, "Nah, that ain't happening."
From a waved-at date to sold-out arena shows, the story of Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson proves that the most unlikely alliances can become the most relevant of all. Their success, as Wicks succinctly puts it, was built by "talking a lot of b*****ks. But people seem to like us." The UK audience certainly does.
