Sam Thompson Recovers After Vocal Cord Surgery
Former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson has provided an update to his fans following surgery to remove a cyst from his vocal cords. The 33-year-old took to Instagram to share that he’s now in the “Day 1 of no speaking” phase, admitting to feeling “so bored” but appreciating the flood of cat memes being sent his way.
The procedure, which had been scheduled for some time, was necessary due to a cyst that Sam attributed to “talking too much and shouting too loudly,” which frequently led to him losing his voice. He documented his pre-surgery experience on Instagram Stories, sharing clips of himself in a hospital gown. Sam admitted to feeling a degree of nervousness about the surgery, particularly about being put under anaesthesia for the first time, as he dislikes “not being in control.” He also light-heartedly mentioned that his sister, Louise, would be picking him up, despite him being 33 years old. Louise later confirmed on her own social media that Sam would be unable to speak for three days, a challenge she predicted he’d find difficult given his naturally effervescent and talkative personality.
Valentine’s Day Plans Amidst Recovery
The vocal cord surgery comes shortly after Sam revealed his Valentine’s Day plans with girlfriend Talitha Balinska. His initial idea of a romantic ski trip was unfortunately scuppered by work commitments. Sam began dating the model in September of last year, following his split from Zara McDermott in early 2024.
Last month, Sam took a significant step in his relationship with Talitha, confessing his love for her for the first time. He also opened up about his anxieties surrounding their first Valentine’s Day together on his podcast, Staying Relevant, alongside his close friend Pete Wicks.
Sam outlined a more low-key vision for the romantic occasion. He hoped to personally deliver a thoughtful card and roses to Talitha, followed by a home-cooked dinner accompanied by wine. This intimate celebration emerged after his more ambitious ski trip plans fell through.
- Valentine’s Day Vision:
- Sam expressed a preference for meaningful gestures over extravagant gifts, believing Valentine’s Day should focus on sentiment.
- He envisioned presenting Talitha with roses, suggesting a “nice amount” rather than an excessive display to avoid appearing “tacky.”
- He considered red roses, or a mix of red and white, suggesting “two dozen.” Pete Wicks chimed in, noting that white roses symbolise “purity and innocence,” which might not align with the expected “passion” of Valentine’s Day.
- For dinner, Sam admitted to needing culinary guidance from Pete, acknowledging his own limitations in the kitchen. His initial idea involved a “bit out there, a bit avant garde” meal, possibly fondue. He questioned whether he should “dress up” for the occasion.
- In a hypothetical scenario where they didn’t live together, Sam imagined hand-delivering a card and roses, giving Talitha a kiss, and saying, “See you tonight.” This would be followed by background music, a couple of glasses of wine – specifically Rioja, as it’s the only one he knows – and him cooking dinner while Talitha kept him company. He reiterated his desire to avoid overdoing it.
Navigating Romantic Anxieties
Despite his thoughtful plans, Sam also confessed to experiencing significant anxiety about the celebration. He voiced concerns about “getting it all wrong” on their first Valentine’s Day as a couple, admitting, “I don’t want to f*** it up.”
The ski trip, which Sam had initially presented as a grand gesture, ultimately did not materialise. He sheepishly admitted to Pete that the holiday was a “pipe dream” that was quickly “stomped out” by agents and work commitments. Fortunately, he hadn’t mentioned it to Talitha, so the disappointment was contained.
The presenter’s revelation of telling Talitha he was “in love” with her occurred while they were relaxing on the sofa. He shared with Pete that he had “known for a bit” but found it difficult to articulate the words.
Sam’s year began with challenges following his split from Zara McDermott. However, his new romance, a successful sold-out show at London’s O2 Arena, and a significant charity achievement helped him conclude the year on a considerably higher note.
