Sam Thompson may have missed out on the Soccer Aid match due to injury, but he certainly didn’t miss the party. The I’m A Celebrity star, 32, was spotted leaving the Hilton Manchester Deansgate with glamorous sports presenter Jolie Sharpe, 23, after the high-energy charity event at Old Trafford raised an astonishing £15 million for Unicef.
While rapper Big Zuu secured victory for the World XI, drama brewed behind the scenes. Sam had narrowly avoided a tense on-pitch encounter with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson—now dating Sam’s ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott—by being subbed in only after Louis had left the field.
Dressed in a dark grey co-ord and white tee, Sam cut a relaxed figure, while Jolie turned heads in a white ruffled mini skirt and denim jacket. Their appearance together sparked curiosity, especially since Jolie, who owns marketing agency JGS Live, is also a TikTok partner and has worked with major brands like Chelsea FC and British Airways.
The tension between Sam and Louis was seemingly defused days earlier during a ‘peace dinner’ at Champneys spa, where they allegedly “broke bread” with teammates to prevent any awkwardness during the charity fixture.
Sam’s injuries, including a torn calf sustained from a gruelling 260-mile challenge, meant he couldn’t play. Still, he made a surprise appearance as part of the management team and was cheered by fans post-match.
Despite the tangled love triangle and missed chances, both Sam and Louis appeared upbeat, greeting fans and teammates with smiles—though they still managed to avoid direct contact even back at the hotel.
