Sam Thompson breaks his silence after being consoled by pal Pete Wicks at the TRIC Awards amid rumours he is in ‘crisis talks’ with girlfriend Zara McDermott

Sam Thompson has broken his silence after being comforted by pal Pete Wicks at the TRIC Awards on Tuesday amid rumours he had ‘crisis talks’ with Zara McDermott.

In pictures obtained exclusively by MailOnline, the 31-year-old I’m A Celebrity winner is seen having an emotional chat with his close friend in the smoking room of London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Sam appeared to burst into tears before Pete lovingly embraced him, but the Made In Chelsea star has now explained why he was so emotional.

In his podcast Staying Relevant, he said he had received some bad news that day, but he also confirmed that he had not cried.

“I didn’t cry, I didn’t really cry. I want to let everyone know that now.

‘Look, you can’t get around that. I actually got some bad news, so I was actually really sad. I’m not going to lie, but I was.’

Sam explained that Pete had taken him to the back of the hotel to comfort him and give him a shoulder to cry on.

He explained: ‘I let it go, I let it all out. I headbutted Pete on the shoulder. I get a pat on the armpit and he’s such a good friend who’s like “I’m always here for you blah blah blah” and I feel sorry for myself.’

At the awards ceremony, both the duo’s podcast and I’m A Celeb were nominated for an award, but neither managed to win the prize.

Lighten the mood, Pete joked: ‘Personally I think it was Sam’s way of saying we didn’t win a prize. I think that’s where the tears came from.’

Sam’s latest podcast episode comes after recent reports revealed that Sam had ‘crisis talks’ with his girlfriend Zara.

However, Sam did not elaborate on his relationship, but thanked his followers and listeners for their support following the TRIC snapshots.

He ended: ‘I really appreciate it. Thank you very much. Everything is fine now, but it was a difficult time.’

It was reported that Sam’s heartbreak was caused by a ‘burning row’ with Zara, 27, which left her packing her bags last weekend and leave the London house they share.

However, everything seemed to be looking up on Tuesday when the presenter shared an update clip on his Instagram Story.

“Today is going to be a good day! I’m never wrong. It’s going to be a really good day,” Sam beamed.

He added: “And the podcast episode Staying Relevant that came out yesterday is I think one of my favorite episodes I’ve ever recorded.

“Pete is in such good shape right now, he really is! So, click on the link and give it a listen. Let’s get started!”

Sam and his girlfriend Zara were spotted filming together in Chelsea last week after rumours of trouble in their relationship surfaced.

But the pair appeared to ignore the messages and focus on their work, with video footage obtained exclusively by MailOnline showing them filming a project together.

It is not known what the couple wanted to achieve, but they arrived shortly after cheering on Sam’s two-year-old nephew Leo at his sports day at Eel Brook Common, along with his sister Louise Thompson.

However, in a number of social media posts that day, Zara was noticeably absent, leading to speculation that she had not joined the Thompson clan.

But the Love Island star revealed on Instagram Stories the same day that the couple had grabbed two ice creams from a van during their outing.

She seemed to be of one mind, captioning a photo of the two of them holding up their cones: “I feel disappointed because this ice cream truck didn’t have sprinkles.”

The revelation follows reports that the couple are going through a difficult time, but according to a source close to the couple they are now trying to ‘patch things up again’.

The initiate The sun: ‘Since ChristmasZara and Sam are very busy with work and have little time to see each other, their relationship has suffered because of this.

‘They both wanted to make the most of their careers and said yes to all the interesting opportunities that came their way.

‘Last weekend it happened and they had a big fight. It was very unpleasant and they needed some time to let the dust settle.’

According to the publication, Zara was staying with her parents in Essex before heading to Mallorca for a modelling job.

The reality star then posted a cryptic message about staying positive: “When life gives you lemons” alongside a photo of herself posing in a minidress.

She has now returned to Britain and the couple are reportedly trying to save their relationship.

The insider added that Zara returned home to try to “patch up their differences.”

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Sam and Zara for comment.

It comes just weeks after Sam was embroiled in a similarly dramatic conversation with girlfriend Zara McDermott, although the star has since insisted it was just a “passionate pep talk”.

The pair were photographed together at the Soccer Aid party, where they appeared to be engaged in a heated argument.

However, Zara responded to the photos on Instagram the next day, saying she gave the reality star “positive affirmations” after it appeared they had an argument.

She wrote: ‘Why did this make me laugh so much anyway? [laughing emojis] ‘Stop saying you should have scored!!!! You did your best and that’s all that matters!! You need to stop doubting yourself!!!’

“It seems like we’re arguing, but in reality I’m telling him positive things in a very passionate way.”

Zara appeared frustrated as she visibly waved her arms while engaged in a tense conversation – but she has now confirmed that it was just an incredibly passionate exchange.

The couple have been dating for four years after the Love Island star ‘snuck into his DMs’.

They briefly split in 2020 after he discovered she had cheated on him with a colleague during her stint on X Factor: Celebrity. Their romance then rekindled with scenes set in Made In Chelsea.