Sam Thompson has announced he is leaving his role as a regular panelist on Love Island: Aftersun after three years. The former Made In Chelsea star and I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner will not appear on the show this summer.
A spokeswoman for Thompson told The Sun: “Sam absolutely loved his time as part of the Love Island team and the show will always have a special place in his heart, but he felt 2026 was the year to concentrate on his many other ITV projects.” She added that Thompson is “a big part of the ITV family” and is looking forward to his upcoming presenting role on I’m A Celebrity South Africa Final.
The decision comes shortly after an awkward on-air incident on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show, where Thompson is currently covering for Fleur East, Will Best and James Barr. During an 'Ask Me Anything' segment, a listener asked him live: “How do you feel about playing the song from One Direction, Steal My Girl, knowing that one of the 1D boys did actually steal your girl?” The question referenced Thompson’s split from former Love Island star Zara McDermott in December 2024, after a five-year relationship. McDermott later went public with One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson in March 2025.
Thompson and McDermott had previously split briefly in 2019 after she admitted to sleeping with someone else during The X Factor: Celebrity. They reconciled but eventually parted ways over Christmas 2024. Thompson has been keeping busy with various television projects since the breakup.
