Sam Thompson completely broke down as best friend Pete Wicks surprised him with a much-needed hug on the third day of his gruelling Match Ball Mission.
The TV and radio favourite, 32, has so far raised an impressive £337,288.26 for global children’s charity UNICEF, which is dedicated to protecting children’s rights and promoting their well-being.
Despite currently battling a “significant” calf injury — the pain of which he likened to “being shot in the back of the leg” — he is determined to persevere as he aims to deliver the Soccer Aid match ball more than 260 miles: from last year’s venue at London’s Stamford Bridge to this year’s stadium at Manchester’s Old Trafford — by running a marathon a day and cycling over five days.
The 37-year-old former Strictly Come Dancing star Wicks - who co-hosts the hugely popular Staying Relevant podcast with Thompson - was seen planting a kiss on his overwhelmed friend’s head as he wrapped him in a huge embrace at a checkpoint on the run.
“Oh, I didn’t know you’d come!” Thompson exclaimed between sobs.
To which an astounded Wicks replied, “Do you think I’d miss this?”
“Come on! I’m so proud of you. You’re smashing it! Smashing it! How are you feeling?”
“I’m not smashing it, mate,” Thompson replied despondently.
“You are smashing it,” Wicks corrected.
“Are you still going? You’re still going! There you go, you’re smashing it!” he added before bringing him in for another hug.
“Come on, you’re alright, you’re all good,” Wicks continued encouragingly.
“I’m not the guy, man” Thompson said through tears.
“You are the guy. You were the guy before you started. You’re the guy now, and you’re gonna be the guy when you finish. You’ve got this,” Wicks told him decidedly.
The former I’m A Celebrity winner’s sister, Louise Thompson - who is set to meet him at the finish line - gave an insight into why this was exactly the lift her brother needed, telling The Standard: “They have the most beautiful relationship because they’re constantly winding each other up and pretending they hate each other, but deep down they really care for each other.
“I find a lot of safety in that because it’s so nice to know my brother has a really amazing best friend.
“Again, Pete’s got his reputation, but deep down, he’s just such a caring person with the biggest heart.”
Louise - who previously appeared with Thompson on the reality TV show Made In Chelsea - was among those who were there when he first set off on his epic undertaking in the capital on Monday.
She said then: “I am immensely proud of Sam. I think the fact he’s taken on this incredible challenge is such a big deal. He’s a little nuts because he’s never done anything like this before - no one in my family has.
“People used to judge him for silly videos. Even a few years ago, people on reality TV - like the show we were on - would turn their noses up at that sort of thing.
“But he kept going because he loved it and knew it was connecting him with the right people who appreciated light entertainment.”
She described being with him at the start line as “a real full-circle moment.”
You can get behind Thompson and donate to his Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for Unicef now, by visiting https://www.socceraid.org.uk/challenge
This year every donation will be tripled, thanks to Children’s Investment Fund foundation matching donations up to £5 million and an anonymous donor matching up to £500,000.
