I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star Sam Thompson’s girlfriend Zara McDermott has responded to claims that other campmates “struggle” with his personality.
The Made in Chelsea star has been known for his enthusiastic personality while in the jungle, and some viewers have suggested that some of the other celebrities in the jungle aren’t coping as well with Sam’s behaviour.
However, in an Instagram Stories Q&A, Zara disputed these claims, writing: “I don’t think anyone is particularly struggling with his personality at all!
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“I think all of us are different and there’s so many different personalities in there, but no one has said anything unkind to him or about him at all? Unless I’m watching something different?
“Sam knows he’s got a lot of energy and can be full on to people sometimes but I think that’s why so many people warm to him!
“It seems to me that everyone has warmed to him in the camp! I think it would be a very different camp without him there, he has created more fun and excitement for everyone.”
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Sam has also been defended by friend Pete Wicks, who told the Daily Mail: “Sam struggles with boredom and a lot of things because of his ADHD and autism, but that shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing. I have read a lot of comments and it’s something that I believe shouldn’t define him.
“People should embrace that because he’s entertaining and that’s what the show is about. He should be defined by the fact that he’s a really fun, positive guy and that’s his personality aside from having ADHD and autism.”
We’ve previously written about why the response over Sam’s behaviour from some viewers and ITV – notably jokes from hosts Ant and Dec – has become somewhat problematic given Sam’s ADHD and autism diagnosis.
In other I’m a Celebrity news, this week has seen the exits of campmates Grace Dent and Jamie Lynn Spears, who both decided to leave the show.
I’m a Celebrity… airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.