When Sam Thompson’s five-year romance with Zara McDermott crumbled last December, the I’m A Celebrity king didn’t just lose a girlfriend – he lost a chunk of himself. The bubbly Made in Chelsea star, 33, has laid bare the brutal toll of the breakup: therapy sessions to process the pain, burnout from overwork, sleepless nights, and the stark realisation that no amount of fame can shield you from heartbreak.

In a raw new interview, Thompson opened up about the darkest period of his life so far. “I needed therapy to help me process that change in my life,” he told the Daily Mail. “I worked so hard last year, I neglected friends and family, even myself a bit. One of the big takeaways was to give myself some time, otherwise the danger is you get ill. We like to think we’re superheroes but then we burn out.”

The split came after a “tough year” for the couple, who had been together since 2019. Sources described it as an “incredibly difficult decision,” with both agreeing to part ways amicably and focus on their careers in 2025. Zara, 28, quickly moved on, dating One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, while Sam threw himself into work – co-hosting I’m A Celebrity Unpacked Down Under and touring with his hit podcast Staying Relevant.

But behind the smiles, the reality star was struggling. Friends noticed a quieter, heavier Sam in the weeks after the news broke in January. He admitted to feeling “on the edge,” with co-host and best mate Pete Wicks, 37, revealing the depth of his pal’s turmoil. On their podcast, Sam joked about calling Pete 15 times during the crisis – only for the former TOWIE star to admit he’d gone “off radar” for weeks, putting his phone in a drawer.

Yet when Pete resurfaced, he became Sam’s lifeline. The unlikely bromance – born on Celebs Go Dating in 2019 – proved unbreakable. “If I ever need Pete, he is the first person to call me,” Sam has said. Pete rallied round, joining nights out with pals like Marvin Humes and offering the no-nonsense support only a true brother could.

Their friendship has long been a highlight for fans. Who can forget the iconic I’m A Celebrity moment in 2023? As Sam was crowned King of the Jungle, he ignored producers’ warnings and leapt into Pete’s arms on the rickety bridge – nearly sending them both tumbling. Pete grabbed the ropes for dear life, later joking on their podcast: “I nearly died!” It was Pete waiting at the end, not Zara, in a reunion that left viewers in tears.

That bond has only deepened. The pair’s Staying Relevant podcast is a smash, with sold-out live tours and candid chats about life, love and mental health. Pete, fresh from Strictly Come Dancing’s semi-finals in 2024, has his own podcast Man Made, interviewing big names like Prime Minister Keir Starmer. But he always makes time for Sam.

“Pete’s been my one constant through massive highs and lows,” Sam has gushed. From career shifts to personal upheavals, the duo – who insist they’d never be mates in “normal life” – have built something special. Pete even drinks with Sam’s dad and charms his mum, while Sam credits Pete for teaching him self-confidence.

Now, a year on, Sam is bouncing back. He’s gone official with stunning DJ and model Talitha Balinska, 28, after meeting at a photoshoot in 2023 and reconnecting at one of his arena shows. “He’s glowing,” insiders say, with Pete praising his “glow up” – better beard, clearer skin, and a newfound confidence.

Sam’s openness about therapy echoes his long-standing advocacy for mental health. He’s been in therapy for years, previously opening up after past breakups and anxiety battles. “I talk to people about struggling a lot,” he says. “Of course I turn off – but I’m lucky to do what I do.”

The heartbreak taught him harsh lessons: fame doesn’t protect you, and even superheroes burn out. But in his lowest moment, when a lover walked away, a brother stepped up. Pete refused to leave, proving some bonds are stronger than romance.

As 2025 wraps up, Sam is soaring – new love, thriving career, and a best mate who’s family. Heartbreak nearly broke him, but with Pete by his side, he’s stronger than ever.