In an exclusive revelation, television personalities Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks have detailed the heartwarming depth of their close friendship, describing each other as "brothers" who have consistently supported one another for eight years since first meeting on the reality show Celebs Go Dating.
A Friendship Forged in Authenticity
The duo, now inseparable, emphasized that their bond was built on never pretending to be anyone other than themselves. Sam Thompson explained to the Mirror that the friendship "was formulated from never not being ourselves," noting that Pete initially resisted appearing in TikTok videos but now collaborates on online skits.
"I think when you've got someone like Pete, it's very easy not to change, and he never allows you to," Sam stated. "It's just very organic, and it couldn't be any other way." Pete Wicks added, speaking in partnership with TUI's campaign to address holiday dilemmas, "Authentically, Sam and I are mates, it's not a case of doing it for TikTok. We're genuine mates."
Staying Grounded Together
Pete highlighted their mutual commitment to authenticity, saying, "We have each other to make sure that we stay grounded and don't change. If people like that, hopefully they do; if they don't, f**k them." Sam joked that Pete will never be able to "get rid of him" after over seven years of friendship.
From Podcast to Arena Success
Their bond has propelled them to significant success with their podcast, Staying Relevant, which began as "a bit of fun" but has grown into a weekly highlight for both. Sam described it as "the thing I'm most excited for," while Pete revealed they started it simply to hang out weekly.
"The best thing we did was just go alone and set up our own production company," Pete explained. "It's grown into something magical." Despite initial doubts about the podcast's potential, they adopted a philosophy of "you never know, we'll have a go," leading to a sold-out show at London's O2 Arena.
Navigating Fame and Mental Health
Pete recalled the O2 event as initially "horrendous" due to his workload, whereas Sam called it the "best time of his life," admitting he was "drunk" throughout. The pair also openly discuss mental health struggles, with Pete noting, "Mental health is something that we talk about loads, which is incredible, but the problem is that we don't often listen."
He emphasized the importance of self-understanding, saying, "It's about understanding yourself more than anything and ensuring you have more good days than bad days." Both feel blessed to use their platform to help others, with Pete adding, "If they don't have that in their kind of personal lives, then at least they might be able to have it in discussions that Sam and I have."
Upcoming Cyprus Adventure with TUI
Soon, the friends will travel to Cyprus, with Sam eager to explore the island's history and archaeology, while Pete plans to hit the golf course. Their trip aligns with their partnership with TUI to tackle common holiday dilemmas, such as money matters and travel buddy quirks, which affect 60% of people.
Travel Tales and Mishaps
Pete shared a humorous travel mishap from a trip to Miami during severe thunderstorms, where he lost his luggage and ended up spending two weeks in Vegas. "Two weeks in Vegas changes a man," he quipped. Sam recounted missing a flight to a golf trip in Sicily, leading to a convoluted journey through three countries. "I've never been to so many cities to get to a place," he said.
Pete explained their dynamic when traveling together, noting, "What happens when we go on holidays, Sam gives up all responsibility for everything, we arrive at the airport, and I kick into airport dad." This collaboration with TUI aims to help Brits navigate similar holiday challenges, with more insights available on their podcast, Staying Relevant.
