Gladiators star suffers second huge injury ahead of major TV special

Sam Thompson has hinted that he will suffer another injury ahead of the Gladiators Celebrity Special set to air later this year. The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, was forced to pull out of Soccer Aid this summer after suffering a string of agonising injuries for a fundraising challenge. The TV star suffered a calf injury on the first day of his gruelling 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge for UNICEF.

He was ultimately ruled out of playing this year's match but was given a "ceremonial role" during the big game for his efforts. Since then, the podcast host has slowly been going through physio to help rebuild his strength in his legs.

Now, in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, following his collaboration with Purina ONE's new cat hydration range, the broadcaster has opened up about his recovery process.

When asked if he was fully healed now, he told us:" No, actually, I haven't, weirdly. My calf is fine now, but my legs are just weak, and this is my fault, by the way. It's got nothing to do with the Soccer Aid and UNICEF team.

"I haven't been putting the work in for rehab and, bless them, they were fronting me to go to physio, and I just haven't had the time." But Soccer Aid isn't the only physical challenge Sam is competing in this year for charity.

At the end of the year, he will step into the famous Gladiators arena for a celebrity special of the beloved BBC show. He will join Joe Wicks MBE, Nicola Adams OBE, and Vogue Williams in the Sheffield arena, where they will don their gym gear and take on iconic challenges such as Duel, The Wall, and the legendary Eliminator.

They will go head-to-head with the show's super-strong Gladiators in an unmissable episode later this year to raise money for a charity of their choosing. Speaking about the impact his injuries have had on the challenge, he hinted that viewers will see the I'm A Celebrity winner suffer another injury on the show.

He reflected: "I really need to get back onto physio because at the end of the year, I'm doing Gladiators as well. We've already filmed some of it, so it's interesting with the legs that I have. I've definitely found that my legs are a lot weaker now since I did everything [for Soccer Aid], but I mean, what an amazing cause, I'll take that any day of the week.

"There may have been a slight, slight injury, but I can't say more than that, really. That is an offshoot from the challenge, which, I mean, it all just snowballs, doesn't it?"

Despite suffering another blow on the show, he shared his excitement for the upcoming charity special. Sam added: "I had such a good time. I was doing it with Joe Wicks, and he's just the nicest human being; he's such a lovely guy. We had a really, really good time.

It comes after Sam teamed up with Purina ONE, the premium pet food brand for their new Hydralife product, a "gravy-like little extra" designed for easy hydration and gut microbiome support, which comes in chicken and salmon flavours.

The beloved cat owner, whose pets Albus and Cedric are said to be big fans of the chicken Hydralife, gushed: "Like millions of Brits, Im a huge car lover - and I'll do anything to keep my two boys and healthy. I hope these pictures shine a light on the important of cat hydration, and show owners how easy it can be to help."

The research, which was conducted by Purine ONE, found that across the UK, 78% of owners fear their cats are not getting enough to drink, with the brand beleiving that hydration is the "key to keeping them happy and healthy."

Nadio Roberts, Senior Brand Manager for Purina ONE, said: "We know that lots of owners are concerned their cats aren't drinking enough, and cats can sometimes ignore water bowls left out for them.

"Purina ONE Hydralife makes it easy. Cats love it, it helps support their good hydration, and gives owners the reassurance they need. It's been a joy working with Sam on this campaign - he's a great sport."