Thompson

MADE IN Chelsea star Sam Thompson has revealed he’s undergoing surgery which will leave him unable to speak.

The reality TV favourite, 33, made his stark confession on his Staying Relevant podcast with BFF Pete Wicks, 37.

The pair had a de-brief about their festive periods before talk turned to their health.

Pete, who has spoken previously about issues with his vision and his eye, told how he was heading for an appointment this month.

He had taken a tumble at home during the festive period and, after missing a scheduled appointment last month, is heading for advice.

After his reveal, Sam chipped in: “That’s two men who are going for surgery this year,” before Pete clarified: “Yes, because Sam …

“I don’t know if we are allowed to talk about it, it was one of the announcements we were going to wait for later, Sam is looking to go into music.

“So he is having some surgery on his vocal chords.”

Sam gave the game away that the potential music career was pure banter and repeated: “Music?”

Then becoming serious, Pete said: No, you’re having vocal chord surgery?”

Sam replied: “Yeah, I genuinely am.

“I’ve got a cyst on my vocal chords.

“I’m having that taken out, which is going to be mad because it means I have three days of vocal rest.”

A vocal cord cyst is a benign lesion which may cause a hoarse voice.

They often occur in those who over-use their voice, such as singers, professional speakers and broadcasters and the cysts happen when glands that produce mucus in the throat get blocked up.

According to NHS after-care advice from London-based Guys and St Thomas’, they state: “For the first three days after the operation, we recommend that you do not speak or use your voice at all.

“This is to allow healing time for the surface of your vocal cord or cords around the site of the surgery.”

They state whispering, laughing or humming should also be avoided.

SAM’S SURGERY

Fans will no doubt be left disappointed by the after-effects of his surgery, as Sam tends to spill all the juicy detail in his podcast chats.

Recently, after months of dating, Sam announced at the beginning of December that he and girlfriend Talitha Balinska had made things “official”.

Speaking to Pete on their podcast, Sam confirmed they had taken their romance to the next level.

He said excitedly: “I’ve got a girlfriend. I’ve got a girlfriend!”

Sam then revealed the moment he asked Talitha out on a dinner date, explaining: “Yeah, I just, I just said, ‘Look, I really like you. I mean, I really, really like you and you make me feel really… comfortable.’”

Continuing, the star said: “You know, I wouldn’t be dating someone this amount of time if I didn’t think it had legs to last.

“So will you be my girlfriend?’ And she said ‘yes’. And so I said, ‘great’”.

Yet fans recently suspected the pair had split following a cryptic message from Sam on his page.

Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Chris Redd is ready to be more open and vulnerable in 2026. He committed to the resolution by publicizing revelations about his “pill issues” and his relationship with comedian Kenan Thompson’s ex-wife.

“I saw everything that everybody said. Every single thing everybody said, I saw it,” Redd said in an emotional Instagram video shared Tuesday.

The 40-year-old comedian, whose tenure on the NBC sketch series lasted from 2017 to 2022, spoke candidly about how his “pill problems” during his time on “SNL” led to his relationship with Thompson’s ex-wife, Christina Evangeline, whom he did not name in his video. Redd explained in his video that the personal woes prior to his exit in September 2022 were a “very unique, nuanced thing that happened.”

In addition to struggling with substance abuse, the “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” actor said in his video that he sold pills to fellow “SNL” cast members. He kept their identities concealed, assuring them he wouldn’t “snitch on y’all.”

Redd, who said he suffered panic attacks behind the scenes, claimed his cast mates would talk about him behind his back and showed no concern for his health. “It’s crazy that somebody would watch you destroy yourself,” he said.

Evangeline, Redd simply called her “this lady,” was the only person to encourage him to seek treatment and therapy, he said. Her support and their bonding led to them falling in love.

“I felt bad from the start,” Redd said, adding that the relationship was an “emotional double-edged sword” given his collaborations with Emmy-winning “SNL” fixture Thompson.

He added: “I hate doing something to somebody that I know would hurt them.”

Thompson filed to divorce Evangeline in 2022 after more than a decade of marriage. They share two young daughters. That same year, Redd left “SNL” and celebrity gossip account Deuxmoi posted a blind item speculating on the circumstances of his departure. TMZ also reported on Redd and Evangeline’s romance, noting “there was no overlap or cheating” when the pair got together.

Redd said in his video that he chose love, though it made him “look terrible to people that I love and a lot of my fans.” The comedian spoke about his therapy revelations (“I realized I’m more sad than angry”) and assured followers he doesn’t feel “cool” about dating Thompson’s ex-wife. Still, he said, Evangeline was someone who made him “feel like I didn’t know what love was and I just felt like I couldn’t miss out on it.”

Though Redd acknowledged there was probably another way to balance his friendship with Thompson and his relationship with Evangeline, he said, “I was in love and I was spiraling out.”

Redd was known on “SNL” for his impressions of prominent figures such as former New York City Mayor Eric Adams and rapper Kanye “Ye” West. In recent years, he turned his focus back to stand-up comedy and is promoting an upcoming project set for Jan. 28.

LOUISE Thompson has provided her fans with an update after her son was taken to hospital with bleeding tonsils.

The reality star, 35, who has faced several health challenges including ulcerative colitis, lupus, and PTSD, revealed today how her four-year-old was rushed to hospital.

She took to social media to share a snap of him hooked up to a series of machines while lying on a hospital bed before she gave fans an update.

In the first update shared hours after the initial post about her son leo, Louise penned: “Thank you for your kind messages.

“He is doing really really well and as always has been looked after incredibly well by the angels of our universe (I feel a suitable LinkedIn job description for nurses and doctors).

“I think I have the most supportive mum following on here ever. You guys are so brilliant – so practical, resourceful and everyone has dealt with some kind of drama at some point over their life so between 1.5million of you I think we have nearly everything covered.”

She added in the next post: “I did night shift, dad will switch in and do day shift as my breath and hair is horrendous. TMI. Now time for some of my own medication.”

Earlier today, Louise told her followers how she had rushed the youngster to hospital after his struggle with “bleeding tonsils”.

Alongside the snap showing him in the ward, she wrote: “Nothing like a wild start to the year.

“Hopefully just a temporary blip.

“Anyone else’s child had bleeding tonsils before?”

Bleeding tonsils can be a sign of infection, potentially after tonsillitis, or following surgery.

This comes after Louise had a hospital dash of her own on Christmas Eve.

She had to previously undergo the removal of her entire large intestine (colon) due to her inflammatory bowel condition, which resulted in her getting her life-saving stoma bag.

But on Christmas Eve, Louise revealed she had spent a large chunk of time in hospital having a procedure.

Louise underwent a proctoscopy, which, according to the NHS, is an examination where an endoscopist looks directly at the anal canal with a small rigid proctoscope.

Taking to her Instagram page to reveal her hospital visit and explain what she had done.

“Looks dramatic but it wasn’t. I had a proctoscopy today. It’s like a colonoscopy but not as invasive because I don’t have a colon so there isn’t very far the camera can go,” she penned over the first slide.

“Still bloody awkward and a tiny bit uncomfortable but fentanyl is a wonder drug,” she penned.

SAM Thompson has dropped a huge hint he’s split with his new girlfriend in a cryptic Instagram message.

The Made in Chelsea alum, 33, was recently seen on a night out with partner Talitha Balinska and his former E4 show co-stars after they made their relationship official.

Sam began dating model and DJ Talitha back in October but the pair only went official last month.

Yet he hinted there could be trouble in paradise as he posted a solo shot to Instagram Stories showing him cuddling his cat.

He was seen snug with the feline – who he shared with ex Zara McDermott, 29 – yet posted the mystery caption: “Starting 2026 as I mean to go on.”

Sam followed up with a red Emoji love heart.

The wording, alongside the snap of solely him and his pet, led some to think he was single – and putting his efforts into his home life.

Yet his fans will no doubt be hoping the romance with glam Talitha remains on track.

His upload came after ex Zara posted a loved-up snap with her man, Louis Tomlinson, after the pair too the huge next step in their relationship.

SAM’S ROMANCE

After months of dating, Sam announced at the beginning of December that he and Talitha had made things “official”.

Speaking to his best pal Pete Wicks on their Staying Relevant podcast, Sam confirmed they had taken their romance to the next level.

He said excitedly: “I’ve got a girlfriend. I’ve got a girlfriend!”

Sam then revealed the moment he asked Talitha out on a dinner date, explaining: “Yeah, I just, I just said, ‘Look, I really like you. I mean, I really, really like you and you make me feel really… comfortable.’”

Continuing, the star said: “You know, I wouldn’t be dating someone this amount of time if I didn’t think it had legs to last.

“So will you be my girlfriend?’ And she said ‘yes’. And so I said, ‘great’”.

In December, the former King of the I’m A Celeb jungle returned from Australia, where he was filming for I’m A Celeb’s spin-off show Unpacked.

And while he was Down Under, new girlfriend Talitha was making herself at home in his £3M Chelsea abode.

Sam also previously introduced Talitha to his sister Louise, her fiancé Ryan, and their son Leo and they shared a picture of the moment.

THE SPLIT

Meanwhile, Sam and his last girlfriend Zara, who appeared on Made In Chelsea together, called time on their romance last December.

The couple spent last Christmas apart, confirming shortly after that they had ended their relationship after “a tough year”.

 A source close to the couple told MailOnline at the time: “Sam and Zara have ended their relationship. It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways, they still care and have a lot of love for each other.”

LOUISE Thompson has revealed she wants another baby in 2026 – five years after nearly dying during childbirth with her son.

The harrowing ordeal led to a myriad of health issues, the most recent of which saw Louise bravely reveal she had a stoma.

Following Leo’s birth she suffered multiple injuries including a post-natal haemorrhage, developing Asherman’s Syndrome, in which scar tissue in the uterus becomes ‘glued’ together, worsening bowel problems and emergency surgery.

But now the TV star, 35, has opened up on her hopes of “expanding her family”.

She wrote: “Next year is going to be full of health, growth and prosperity. I’m ready for newness and if we are lucky family expansion.”

The star also shared her upcoming Substack post, which will be published on Saturday and is titled: “all I want for 2026 is a baby.”

Louise also has post-traumatic stress as a result of the horrific complications she endured and now relies on a stoma bag.

She believes women are being deterred having children due to a growing number of horror stories.

She told Daily Mail: “It’s something that a lot of people within my circle are talking about fairly regularly – the population problems we have.

“Thousands of women are crying out to me about this topic.

“Speaking on my own personal experience, I won’t be able to carry another child.

“So immediately that puts us in a position where we are part of that problem now.”

She is now an advocate for women’s health and maternity rights, and has spoken about her ordeal to the Birth Trauma All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).

Louise teamed up with former Conservative MP Theo Clarke to set up the APPG and is now launching a petition urging the Government to appoint a commissioner dedicated to overseeing maternity care.

Their goal is to reach the 100,000 signatures needed to trigger a Parliamentary debate.

Louise has spoken about her distressing birth experience in the past.

The former reality star lost three-and-a-half litres of blood following the arrival of her son Leo by emergency C-section.

Things got even worse when Louise eventually returned home and suffered another haemorrhage, during which she lost five litres of blood and woke up in intensive care.

She previously spoke about the “uncertainty” around having another child.

She said last year on Lorraine: “It’s still fairly inconclusive. I will never mentally be strong enough to carry a child and, physically, I have something called asherman syndrome where my uterus is glued together with scar tissue.

“I suppose in one sense, it’s a bit of a miracle that I didn’t have to have a hysterectomy, so I do still have a womb.

“I had a year with no periods, then I had a surgery to try and fix that and then that ended up in another haemorrhage so where I am left currently is that the hospital have sort of said ‘It would be too threatening.

“We wouldn’t want to do another surgery in that area. Let’s let you live’. Equally I am so grateful to have one beautiful, healthy child who has lots of friends and cousins. I do have ovaries and embryos so there is a chance I could freeze some eggs… when I am ready…”

MADE In Chelsea star Louise Thompson was forced to spend Christmas Eve in hospital amid her ongoing health battle, she has revealed.

The reality star, 35, has faced several health challenges including ulcerative colitis, lupus, and PTSD after giving birth to her son, Leo.

She had to previously undergo the removal of her entire large intestine (colon) due to her inflammatory bowel condition, which resulted in her getting her life-saving stoma bag.

But on Christmas Eve, Louise revealed she had spent a large chunk of time in hospital having a procedure.

Louise underwent a proctoscopy, which, according to the NHS, is an examination where an endoscopist looks directly at the anal canal with a small rigid proctoscope.

Taking to her Instagram page to reveal her hospital visit and explain what she had done, Louise shared some snaps in a gown.

“Looks dramatic but it wasn’t. I had a proctoscopy today. It’s like a colonoscopy but not as invasive because I don’t have a colon so there isn’t very far the camera can go,” she penned over the first slide.

“Still bloody awkward and a tiny bit uncomfortable but fentanyl is a wonder drug,” she penned.

She then shared a photo of her with a nasal cannula on her face and inserted into her nostrils.

Louise went on to pen: “These appointments are so important and they managed to fit me in quite urgently so I jumped at the offering of a 24th December date, then when it came around I realised the magnitude of it being Christmas Eve.

“What it REALLY made me think was…

“Despite all the chaos of what I’ve been through, I still think we are incredibly lucky to have the NHS which NEVER clocks off in case of emergencies.”

She then added on the next slide: “The NHS never sleeps.

“I had a proctoscope today.

“A nice little Christmas Eve camera up my bum.

“The NHS was still running in full swing. Well not quite, but you know what I mean.

“It prompted me to say a big thank you to everyone that is working as part of the NHS over the bank holidays.”

She then concluded: “Thanks for keeping the country ticking along and for keeping our loved ones alive.”

Reasons for getting a proctoscopy include bleeding from your anus, pain in the lower abdomen (tummy), persistent diarrhoea or changes to your bowel habits.

REALITY TV star Sam Thompson has opened up about his painful split from Zara McDermott and why the end of their romance left him seeking therapy.

Fans of the couple were left shocked when Sam and Zara abruptly ended their five-year romance in January of this year.

Zara quickly moved on with One Direction heartthrob Louis Tomlinson, but Sam has now admitted he was left struggling in the aftermath of the break-up.

Insisting he neglected himself amid the pain of the break-up, he suggested he was left struggling more than people realised.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Sam said: “Look, I can’t speak about Zara out of politeness, and I respect that we’ve both kept it that way.

“But I don’t know one person who enjoys going through a break-up. I needed therapy to help me process that change in my life.

“I worked so hard last year, I neglected friends and family, even myself a bit.”

Sam continued: “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.”

Sam was linked to Love Island star Samie Elishi after they were spotted snogging in the street after it was revealed that Zara had been secretly romancing Louis.

But he has now admitted he won’t date anyone unless he sees it going far into his future.

He added: “I’d love to have kids and I refuse to date unless I can see a long-term future in it.”

Sam is now dating DJ and model Talitha Balinska, whom he first met on a photoshoot in 2023.

They reconnected earlier this year after he invited her to be his special guest at his Staying Relevant live show with Pete Wicks at the O2 Arena.

Just days ago, Sam flaunted her online for the very first time.

Sam announced at the beginning of December that he and Talitha had made things “official”.

Speaking to his best pal Pete Wicks on their Staying Relevant podcast, Sam confirmed they had taken their romance to the next level.

He said excitedly: “I’ve got a girlfriend. I’ve got a girlfriend!”

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (L), D-Miss, pictured in December 2022 with then-U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., (R) at House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, an ex-Senate aide announced his bid to unseat Thompson. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 17 (UPI) — Evan Turnage, a Jackson lawyer and ex-senate aide, is challenging Rep. Bennie Thompson in Mississippi’s 2nd District Democratic primary.

Turnage, 33, a Yale Law and Murrah High alumnus, formerly advised U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. He launched his campaign after returning home and hearing voters’ frustration over the district’s stagnant economy under Thompson’s long tenure, he said.

“I’ve talked to so many people and it’s clear that there’s an appetite for new leadership, an appetite for a fighter from Mississippi,” Turnage said in an interview.

Mississippi’s 2nd District covers Jackson and much of the Delta. With a majority-Black and solidly Democratic electorate, real competition happens in the primary and not the general election.

“This is the poorest district in the poorest state in the country. It was like that when he was elected, and it remains that way today,” he added.

Thompson, 77, has held the seat since 1993 as one of Mississippi’s longest-serving officials and has maintained broad support while gaining national recognition for civil rights issues, security and oversight.

Turnage joined Schumer’s team as chief counsel in early 2023, departing two years later to return to Jackson.

He said his time in the nation’s capital influenced his run for office, but a recent local Democratic runoff also shaped his decision.

“Grocery prices are the No. 1 economic concern I hear about,” Turnage said. “That experience in Washington showed me how much Congress can do when it’s willing to stand up to corporations.”

Turnage said his campaign will be focused on government reform, economic growth and protecting voting rights.

Mississippi’s Democratic primary is slated for March 2026.