Reality TV star Sam Thompson has opened up about the emotional toll of his high-profile breakup from Zara McDermott, revealing he turned to professional therapy to help him cope.
The Aftermath of a Public Split
Sam Thompson, 33, and Zara McDermott, 29, ended their relationship of nearly five years in December 2024. The split saw Zara move out of the couple's shared home in south-west London. Shortly after, in January 2025, rumours began to circulate that McDermott was dating former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
In a candid new interview with the Daily Mail, Thompson discussed the personal impact of the separation. He stated he 'needed therapy to help process that change' in his life, admitting that intense work commitments had led him to neglect his friends, family, and his own wellbeing.
'One of the big takeaways was to give myself some time, otherwise the danger is you get ill,' he explained. 'We like to think we’re superheroes but then we burn out.'
Moving On: A New Romance with Talitha Balinska
Thompson has since found happiness with DJ and model Talitha Balinska. The pair first met at a photoshoot in 2023 but reconnected in 2025 after Sam invited her to see his live podcast show, Staying Relevant, at the O2 Arena.
He confirmed their relationship on a recent episode of his podcast with co-host Pete Wicks, sharing the charmingly low-key details of how he asked her to be his girlfriend. 'We just went for dinner, and I was like, “I really like you”. And I just went, “I’d love to be your boyfriend”,' Sam recounted.
He emphasised the seriousness of the relationship, adding, 'I’m 33, I wouldn’t be dating someone this amount of time if I didn’t think it had legs to last.'
Zara McDermott and Louis Tomlinson's Relationship
Meanwhile, Sam's ex-partner Zara McDermott is now in a public relationship with Louis Tomlinson. The couple made their romance official on social media in August 2025, though they had been photographed together on several occasions prior to that.
Marking her 29th birthday, Zara shared an affectionate photo with Tomlinson on Instagram, captioning it: 'The best birthday ever with you ❤️?✨? & the final year of my 20’s !!'
Both former partners have now firmly moved on, with Thompson focusing on his mental health and new love, while McDermott continues her relationship with the pop star.
