SAM Thompson has broken his silence on his "awesome" new girlfriend Samie Elishi.
Earlier this month, Sam, 32, was pictured kissing Samie, 25, on a night out, confirming rumours that they had secretly been seeing each other since his split from Zara McDermott, 28.
Made In Chelsea star Sam has now addressed the rumours surrounding their new romance while hitting back over a ‘fake’ row.
His best friend, Pete Wicks, 37, was quick to defend him in the wake of the paparazzi photos as they chatted on their Staying Relevant podcast.
Sam admitted to feeling nervous about going on his first date since becoming single, turning to Pete for advice.
He said: “I went on the first date that I've had since I've been single recently and I was so nervous that I messaged Pete, and it was the sweetest thing ever.
"But Pete basically sent me a list of what I had to do.”
Pete teased Sam about the paparazzi pictures in which he and Samie were caught kissing in an alleyway.
Pete joked, "What I took away from that is that you are a passionate and gentle kisser. It’s a beautiful moment in an alleyway."
Sam replied, "I stupidly looked at some comment and it was like ‘calling the paps on themselves.’
"Do you know what the f***ing worst thing is? It does look like that because they’ve long-lensed it from wherever the hell they’ve been.
"And it does just look like we’ve just stepped outside in front of a bunch of photographers and be like, 'Here you go, guys, me and this girl, we’re going to have a kiss!'"
Watch moment Sam Thompson breaks silence on ex Zara McDermott’s new boyfriend Louis Tomlinson in VERY awkward grilling
Pete, ever the supportive friend, reassured Sam, saying, “You’re both very lovely people and it’s not really anyone else’s business. And I mean that.”
A grinning Sam then praised Samie, saying, “What I will say though, really awesome chick. You met her that night. Really, really lovely. Super down to earth, super nice, beautiful, obviously.”
The Sun was first to report how I’m a Celeb winner Sam was moving on from his ex after growing close to Samie.
And we revealed their romance, after 2023 King of the Jungle Sam swapped flirty messages with Samie when they followed each another on Instagram.
Just a few weeks ago, looking very comfortable in each other’s company, Sam and Samie posed for a photo alongside Pete Wicks and Georgia Harrison at Olivia Attwood's birthday party.
Giving their take on the party in their podcast which was recorded before the bash happened, Sam later joked: "We are actually dating, but not each other."
Pete added on their podcast: "Now you've got a date for the night," which prompted Sam to clap back: "I don't have a f**king date for the night."
TOWIE star Pete then interjected: "Me," as Sam, clearly still on the back foot, said: "Right."
Pete, pressing the issue, quizzed: "Who did you think I meant?" to which Sam said: "No one."
Pete, who had discussed how he organised Liv's event, continued to probe: "Why so defensive then? I was just talking about me."
HAPPY CHAPTER
The banter came after Sam revealed he went on his first date since his split with Zara.
He said: "Things are really nice at the moment, I feel like I'm happy."
It marked the first time Sam was pictured with a romantic interest, since splitting from Zara in January this year.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Samie said: "I'm quite a relationship person, so a boyfriend would be nice eventually, no one wants to be alone.
"But I love being single at the same time, I love my girls... I love a bit of both. I feel like I am a relationship person, so naturally."
Just like Sam, the brunette bombshell admitted she was also in a good place when it comes to her dating life.
She said: "I enjoy life in general right now, I am really happy."
The Love Island All Stars alum also told how she had been given a sign from beyond that her romance with Sam would go the distance.
