Sam Thompson Faces Brutal Live Radio Question About Ex-Girlfriend's New Romance
Radio presenter Sam Thompson experienced an intensely awkward moment during his live Hits Radio show when a listener posed a startlingly personal question about his former partner Zara McDermott's current boyfriend, Louis Tomlinson. The I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! winner was momentarily left speechless by the bold inquiry, which directly referenced the pop star's relationship with his ex.
A Shocking On-Air Interrogation
During his Thursday morning broadcast on 9 April, Thompson was confronted by listener Holly, who asked: "How do you feel about playing the song from One Direction, 'Steal My Girl', knowing that actually one of the One D boys did actually steal your girl?" The question clearly caught the presenter off guard, prompting a moment of stunned silence followed by nervous laughter.
Thompson eventually composed himself to respond: "I am live on air, Holly. How do I feel? Personally, I mean this when I say it, it's a brilliant song. I still listen to it on the tube." He went on to demonstrate remarkable grace under pressure, adding that he harboured no ill feelings toward either his ex or her new partner.
Maintaining Composure and Professionalism
The radio host elaborated further, stating: "I don't actually feel weird about it because I feel quite happy as long as everyone else is happy. I think everyone's found their person and I think that's really, really nice. I've actually met said guy and he seems like a really nice dude. So actually, I feel pretty, pretty good about it actually, to be fair. And it is an absolute banger. Everyone is looking for love."
Thompson's measured response drew widespread praise from fans and listeners across social media platforms. One admirer commented on X: "Omg I'm dead Sam handled it soo well tho." Another remarked on TikTok about the "audacity to say this directly to him on a radio" broadcast, while others commended his "respectful answer" and ability to handle such a sensitive topic while live on air.
Background of the Relationships Involved
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott were in a relationship from 2019 until their separation in 2024. McDermott, who rose to fame on Love Island in 2018 before transitioning to documentary presenting for BBC Three and competing on Strictly Come Dancing, began dating former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson in May 2025.
Thompson, the brother of Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson, first gained recognition on the same E4 reality series before appearing on numerous celebrity programmes including Celebrity Big Brother, Celebs Go Dating, and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. His broadcasting career advanced significantly when he joined Hits Radio in 2022 and won I'm A Celebrity the following year.
Interestingly, Tomlinson and Thompson found themselves on opposing teams during a Soccer Aid charity football match in 2025, adding another layer to their unexpected connection through McDermott. Thompson has since moved on romantically with DJ and model Talitha Balinska.
The incident highlights the unique challenges faced by public figures when their personal lives intersect unexpectedly with their professional duties, particularly during live broadcasts where there is no opportunity for editing or preparation.
