Category Entertainment News

Former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson has opened up about his dating life before asking fans for their help following his split from Zara McDermott

Sam Thompson has admitted that he ‘needs a bit of help’ when it comes to finding love again following his split from Zara McDermott back in December.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, dated Love Island bombshell Zara, 28, for over five years but the former couple decided to call it quits on their romance at the beginning of the year. Since then, Zara has moved on with former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.

Meanwhile, Sam was linked to Love Island star Samie Elishi for a number of weeks before it was revealed that they had called it quits on their brief fling. It comes after Pete Wicks confessed that he ‘disliked’ Sam ex as he said ‘I prefer him single’.

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On Tuesday, Sam was still in the Hits Radio Breakfast hot seat with the usual crew of Fleur East, Will Best and James Barr off on their holidays. And while on the show, he was appealing to listeners for help with his Hinge profile.

Sam confessed: “I’m on Hinge everybody. I have decided to give dating apps a go, because the dating world is the trenches out there and I need a bit of help.”

While Sam had no issues choosing the perfect pictures and videos of himself to show off his best qualities, it was but answering the prompts that left him frustrated.

The reality TV star joked: “One of them is ‘I’d fall for you if…’ And I just don’t know what I think, to be honest with you I’d fall for you if you say you like me. If you turn round and say I like you, I’m done that’s all it takes with me. And ‘my cry in the car song?’ Anything by One Direction really….”

Sam’s honest confession comes after his ex Zara and her new man Louis took their relationship to the next level and shared a sweet snap of them sharing a kiss on social media.

The Love Island star and the One Direction singer have been dating for several months, but have been keeping their romance away from social media besides a few comments and likes.

Zara was previously spotted singing along at her boyfriend’s concert as she went to support her 33-year-old partner at his show in Zurich last month. The sighting comes not long after the loved-up couple were seen having fun together at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Just one day after her ex Sam’s birthday, Zara took to her Instagram page to share a selfie she took of her and Louis sharing a kiss. I

In the snap, seemingly taken on holiday, Zara smiled as she held his cheek and gave him a kiss. Louis looked happy as he held the camera. Friends and fans were delighted with the social media milestone and rushed to share their happiness for the couple. “Yaaaay,” Strictly Come Dancing’s Tasha Ghouri wrote.

The couple first started romance rumours earlier in the year after being photographed on a cosy date in Suffolk. The moment in March came just a few weeks after Zara’s split from her long-term boyfriend, Sam.

Sam and Zara called time on their relationship for good in December 2024. They had initially met in 2019 after she shot to fame on Love Island.

They took a break but soon got back together and seemed to be hopelessly in love until it was announced they went their separate ways after five years together.

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Lily James will play the youngest female self-made billionaire in upcoming biopic ‘Swiped’, she will play founder and CEO of Bumble, Whitney Wolfe Herd showing her break into the tech industry

Former Disney princess Lily James is set to play the youngest self-made billionaire in her upcoming project. James will take on the role of founder and CEO of Bumble, Whitney Wolfe Herd, in a biopic that will follow her journey to creating two of the biggest dating apps of our time.

The film introduces Wolfe Herd as a recent university graduate and shows her time at Tinder as a co-founder in a male-dominated industry. The trailer follows Wolfe Herd as she breaks into the industry and launches a new innovative dating app, Bumble.

Swiped is directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, best known for Unpregnant and Valley Girl. Goldenberg had her breakthrough after she was discovered by Will Ferrell. Swiped will be at the Toronto International Film Festival in the Gala Presentations section and the world premiere will be on September 9th.

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While little is known about the film, the film is centred around Whitney Wolfe Herd who started out working in Tinder as the Vice President of marketing and reportedly was responsible for the name. She resigned in 2014 due to increasing tensions with other company executives.

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On June 30th 2014, she filed a lawsuit against Tinder for sexual harassment. It was reported that she received over US$1 million as part of a settlement in September 2014.

She began developing a female-focused dating app and founded Bumble in December 2014. By November 2017, Bumble had over 22 million registered users. And by September 2019, Tinder and Bumble were the first and second most popular dating apps in the US.

Their monthly user bases were 7.9 million and 5 million respectively. On Bumble they count 94,000 users each day and every week 23 million new matches are made using Bumble.

When Bumble was taken public she became the world’s youngest female billionaire in 2021. She stepped down as Bumble’s CEO in November 2023 but stepped up again in January 2025.

As of 2024, Forbes has reported her net worth as $400 million (£296 million). In 2022, she was listed by Forbes at number 33 for the top 100 “America’s richest self-made women”.

The Hulu film around her life also stars Dan Stevens, Myha’la, Jackson White and Pierson Fodé.

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JD Vance was told he was “not welcome” in the Cotswolds by a group of protesters who had gathered to wave signs, banners and placards in anger at the US politician’s visit

US Vice-President JD Vance was lauded as “a proper gent” – by The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner after the pair had a barbecue last night during his UK visit.

The amicable scenes contrasted hugely to the protests earlier in the week in the Cotswolds near the politician’s holiday residence. Locals there blasted Mr Vance’s heavy security – seemingly a mix of police and US Secret Service agents – as “a bit over the top” and vented their anger at the visit altogether.

But last night, Mr Vance, 41, continued his unlikely friendship with Mr Skinner, a charismatic Essex trader who has become a social media star since appearing on The Apprentice in 2019. Mr Vance invited the 34-year-old TV personality to a barbecue at the Cotswolds holiday residence, along with Cambridge Academic James Orr and Conservative MP Danny Kruger. The encounter came after lawmakers both here and in the US expressed concern for Donald Trump’s mental state.

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Writing on social media, dad-of-three Mr Skinner said: “Here is a pic of Me and Vice President JD Vance towards the end of the night after a few beers. I’m overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don’t risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops. Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh.”

In another reply, he added: “When the Vice President of the USA invites ya for a BBQ an beers, you say yes. Unreal night with JD and his friends n family. He was a proper gent. Lots of laughs and some fantastic food. A brilliant night, one to tell the grand kids about mate. Bosh.”

Mr Skinner shared photographs of him posing alongside Mr Vance, who had visited Chevening House in Kent where he and his family stayed with Foreign Secretary David Lammy for two days last week. He today will meet Nigel Farage – although the Reform UK leader did not meet with President Trump when he visited the UK last month.

It is unclear if Mr Skinner, a pillow salesperson, and Mr Vance had ever met before but their friendship has blossomed through social media. The Apprentice star suggested he was delighted to accept the invite to the barbecue in Dean, Oxfordshire, a picturesque hamlet flooded with police and security this week.

Among those who gathered in and around Dean to protest recently was Sue Moon, a 54-yearold therapist who said she didn’t recognise the purpose of Mr Vance’s trip. She added: “The Cotswolds is the home of ordinary people who are not comfortable with JD Vance coming here. What is happening in America regarding reproductive rights is appalling.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz had a “second” wedding – and such is the rift between David and Victoria and their daughter-in-law, the pair found out about the renewal by reading it online

Brooklyn Beckham “isn’t Brooklyn anymore” – according to a friend who says this is now “the most worrying thing” amid his family feud.

Pals have reportedly become particularly concerned for the 26-year-old chef after he had a “second” wedding with Nicola Peltz over the weekend – and didn’t inform his family. Such is the rift between Posh and Becks and their daughter-in-law Nicola that the pair only found out about the wedding vow renewal by reading it online. But it would seem that they were not the only ones supposedly black-listed from the lavish bash, which was attended by up to 200 people.

The fallout from this has worried friends, including one who told the press of the “fear, worry and utter, utter devastation” loved ones share for Brooklyn. They said: “A point has now been reached where it’s actually no longer about a feud. There is much confusion, fear, worry and utter, utter devastation that this happened without Brooklyn telling any of his family.

“Far from fuelling a feud, it is just very, very worrying for everyone who loves him. They are worried about what is going on over there in the States.”

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Brooklyn’s siblings Romeo and Cruz were also persona non grata on August 2, it is understood. Another friend said the brothers have been “fanning the flames” as they feud – which first emerged around David’s 50th birthday – continues to escalate.

But the original insider told Mail Online the majority of any anger has turned to concern following the vow renewal ceremony. There is worry not just for Brooklyn but his extended family too, including both grandmothers.

The pal continued: “It isn’t just about David and Victoria anymore. They are heartbroken they don’t see their son, but what about the grandparents? Brooklyn has always been so close to them. We are talking about a boy who was raised by his grandmothers Jackie Adams and Sandra Beckham when he was little and his parents were working.

“He adores them, but he didn’t even tell them about this. Imagine being an grandmother missing her grandson and seeing all of this on the internet. And that is the most worrying thing – it’s like Brooklyn isn’t Brooklyn anymore.”

Yet, Nicola’s five brothers and sister Brittany did make the cut for the guest list earlier this month. Other guests included Harvey Weinstein’s ex-wife Georgina Chapman, her Oscar-winning actor partner Adrien Brody and actor Oliver Trevena.

However, we told yesterday how, despite the latest stunt, the Beckham family still claim to hope for a reconciliation. Our source told the Mirror: “The door is open. No one wants to see this kind of pain exist. There is always hope. At the end of the day. Blood is thicker than water.”

Talent manager Brandon Blackstock moved on from his Kelly Clarkson divorce with her former assistant before his tragic death aged 48 following a cancer diagnosis

Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock had a “loving partner” at the time of his death, according to his obituary. The talent manager was married to singer Kelly from 2013 to 2020 and they welcomed two children together, River, 11, and son Remington, 9.

He tragically died this month aged 48 following a cancer diagnosis over three years ago. Kelly had postponed her Las Vegas residency after sharing Brandon had become ill just before his death.

Brandon also had two children from a previous marriage and in 2022, he became a grandfather after his eldest daughter gave birth to a son. Kelly filed for divorce from Brandon after six years of marriage in 2020, just weeks after they put their home on the market.

She said in 2023 that the split “ripped her apart”. Brandon’s obituary has revealed he was in another relationship at the time of his death as they quietly built a new life together in Montana.

He had been in a relationship with Brittney Marie Jones, who once worked as a former assistant to Kelly. “After more than 20 years in the music business, Brandon found his way back to the mountains and the cowboy way of life he always wanted to live,” the obituary read.

“He found a homestead and a love in Butte, Montana. Brandon, along with his beautiful and loving partner in life and business, Brittney Marie Jones, started building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.”

A report on Blackstock and Jones’ rodeo business from 2024 listed Brittney as Kelly’s “former assistant”. The surprise revelation came just hours after Brandon’s first wife, Melissa Ashworth spoke out.

Alongside photos of her with Brandon on their children – Seth, 18, and Savannah, 23 – she wrote: “On May 29, 1999 I married the man who would become the father of my children.

“Brandon was full of charm, wit, and just an absolute gentleman who happened to wear cowboy boots, wrangler jeans, and a cowboy hat. He was by far, hands down, the best Daddy and Pa. He loved hard and he fought hard.

“The best thing Brandon has left for his children is they know where he is. I’ve heard it said, “Nothing is lost when you know where it is” and Brandon is with Jesus his Savior. Savannah, Seth, and our grandchildren are the best parts of who Brandon and I are. Thank you all for your prayers and condolences.”

Brandon married Kelly following his divorce from Melissa. A statement from the family announcing Brandon’s death read: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away.

“Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

When announcing she was cancelling her Las Vegas residency, Kelly shared: “Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas..

“While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

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