Sam Thompson is reportedly feeling “vulnerable” and in need of “support” following his break up with Zara McDermott, according to a relationship expert. The couple, who had been together for five years, apparently went their separate ways just before Christmas.
Zara, aged 28, has reportedly started dating former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, 33, in recent weeks. While their relationship is believed to be in the “very early days”, Zara is understood to have met Louis’s family.
Sam has opened up about experiencing “loneliness” since becoming single. Though his close pal and co-host on the Staying Relevant podcast, Pete Wicks, reckons Sam’s had quite the “glow-up” post-breakup.
Now dating guru Anna Williamson, who met both Pete and Sam on Celebs Go Dating, has addressed the “support” she thinks Sam needs post-split, reports the Mirror. Anna recalled a moment on the show when Sam was rejected by a date in favour of Pete, who “saved his bacon”.
She said: “It made us realise how vulnerable Sam was. How much Sam really does need support and needs to have role models around him that he can look up to and make him feel comfortable and safe.”
Meanwhile, Pete confessed that while he wasn’t initially fond of the former Made in Chelsea celeb, Sam’s unique character eventually won him over. Pete quipped: “My first impression of Sam is that I could not stand him. He attached himself to me and wouldn’t f****** leave me alone but by the end of that series, the reason I fell in love with Sam is because he is unapologetically himself.
“You can’t help but love him. He’s one of the most genuine people I’ve known. He does my head in now, probably more than he did then.”
Anna revealed she “loved” how Sam behaved on dates during his stint on Celebs Go Dating. However, she thinks the 32-year-old needs to focus on finding a partner who shares similar values.
Anna said: “I think Sam really needs to come back to his real core values, who he is, what his interests are, looking at his core beliefs. I would encourage him to tap into the areas of his life that he enjoys, that give him stability and light him up and inspire him. Tapping into things like Harry Potter.”
She suggested that he needs to find “likeminded people” who share similar interests. She continued: “There is a gap in the market for everybody to date. Lots of people are dating in the wrong pool.”
Anna told Pete that Sam needs to be “put in the right environment” to find women who align with his beliefs. She recommended Pete take him somewhere like a comic con event or something similar.
She concluded: “As a good best friend you can maybe have a little look into some organisations and activities and clubs out there and go with Sam to see what kind of women he can meet. Sam needs to date in a different dating pool.”
Zara meanwhile is said to have recently met Louis’ family, who think she is “super wholesome”. The 1D star – who’s a parent to a nine-year-old son, Freddie, from a previous relationship – grew up as the eldest of eight siblings. His family includes makeup artist Lottie Tomlinson, 26, and he’s said to have a “special bond” with his sister.
A source told the Sun: “Zara has already met all the family and they can tell that she has made Louis giddy. It’s the first time in a long time that they have seen him happy.” The source added: “They think Zara is super wholesome and health-conscious so they are happy he is with someone who shuns the party life.”