Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson are said to have officially buried the hatchet ahead of this year’s Soccer Aid match.
The podcast host, 32, and One Direction superstar, 33, have been training together for the charity game this weekend at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Sam and Louis join the likes of Tom Grennan, Bella Ramsey, Wayne Rooney, and Jill Scott as the England team takes on World XI FC to raise vital funds for UNICEF.
And while fundraising is, of course, the main focus of the event, there has been quiet drama simmering on the sidelines that has also captured fans’ attention.
You’ll remember that Sam was dating former Love Islander Zara McDermott, 28, for five years before shocking everyone by calling it quits last December.
Pop star Louis then struck up an unlikely romance with the documentary maker, and they’ve been spotted on several cosy dates and blissful getaways in recent months.
And while everyone was eager for a showdown between Sam and Louis as they both took to the pitch in the name of Soccer Aid, reports claim the pair are keen to avoid anything of the sort.
According to The Sun, Zara’s ex and her new lover held somewhat of a peace dinner before kick-off.
The meal allegedly took place at Champneys in Tring, Herts, with other teammates present.
A source told the publication: ‘There is no beef between the pair, and they’re both going to ensure their love lives don’t distract from such a big charity spectacle.
‘They are fully aware that their every move is being scrutinised, and they’ve broken bread with their teammates, so it’ll be smooth sailing on the day.’
Louis last played for Soccer Aid several years ago, so he’s keen to make a strong comeback.
He said after his signing was confirmed for the England team: ‘Manchester! It’s about 10 years since I last turned out for Soccer Aid, so I thought it was about time I returned to the pitch.’
Meanwhile, Sam has been ruled out of any pitch action due to injuries he acquired last week during his five-day Soccer Aid challenge.
The intense Match Ball Mission saw Sam run and cycle a total of 260 miles from London to Manchester, raising over £1.5million for UNICEF.
Alas, Sam has now been forced to take a backseat and help out with Soccer Aid management due to his legs ‘falling apart’.
He told This Morning a few days ago: ‘I’m still very sore, still got the torn calf… I’m not going to be able to run around. You now have me as part of the management team. Come on, England!’
He explained that he’ll be coaching from the sidelines along with Vicky McClure and Tyson Fury, which allows him to still ‘put [his] two pence in’.
‘I will still get to be part of it all.’
Sam’s withdrawal comes after he was quizzed on coming face-to-face with 1D star Louis for the first time since their love lives crossed paths.
Speaking on his Staying Relevant podcast, which he hosts with Pete Wicks, Sam explained to his best pal that the unexpected topic from a journalist made him ‘sweat’.
Sam told Pete of the incident: ‘At the end of the interview, he goes, “Look, mate, I’ve got to ask the question that everyone wants to know; this is sort of the big question, really, the elephant in the room. What’s it going to be like with you and Louis? Obviously he’s doing Soccer Aid too.”
‘Mate, you should have seen the room. It was silent, and then everyone goes, “Woah, Woah, Woah, end the call! End the call!” and I have just gone, “No, no, guys, I’ve got this, I’ve got this.” I held my hands up to say, “Just relax”.’
Laughing as he recalled the chaotic moment, Sam said his PR was ‘panicking’ as, despite putting on a bravado, the reality star actually had no idea what was about to come from his mouth.
Thankfully, Sam was able to string a coherent response together and emphasise what really matters with Soccer Aid.
‘I think I did alright, and I meant everything I said as well, that it’s not about me or Louis or who anyone is dating; it’s f**king Unicef and charity, and everyone is going to be there for the exact same reason,’ he said.
‘And if [Louis] has anything about him, which I’ve heard he does, he’s going to sit there and say the exact same thing.’
Pete applauded him for handling the potentially uncomfortable situation with grace, sarcastically asking whether he shed tears once the call ended.
‘I came off, and I wasn’t far off that [crying], and I didn’t realise I was sweating so hard I had sweat patches under my arms,’ Sam said.
‘You know when you’re sweating buckets? And I turned around to our PR and was like, “Was that OK?”‘
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The I’m A Celeb 2023 winner also echoed the charitable sentiments in an interview with MailOnline, adding that he felt ‘absolutely fine’ despite the swirling headlines.
‘It’s going to be a beautiful, special day, and we are both playing together for such a great cause, and all of us taking part in this are in it for the same reason.’
Sam is now thought to be dating ex-Love Island star Samie Elishi, while Louis and Zara were first papped together a couple of months ago.
An insider previously told The Sun that the Silver Tongues hitmaker ‘absolutely charmed her’.
”It’s clear he thinks she’s drop-dead gorgeous too.’
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