Sam Thompson says he was devastated after suffering a painful calf injury early in his charity challenge — but is clinging to the advice offered to him by friend and This Morning co-star Ben Shephard.
The 32-year-old TV and radio favourite, who described himself as “a broken man,” is tasked with delivering the Soccer Aid match ball from last year’s venue at London’s Stamford Bridge to this year’s stadium at Manchester’s Old Trafford, running a marathon a day and cycling over five punishing days.
His gruelling journey is being captured for a one-off special documentary, Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission, which airs on June 13 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Shephard joined him on Day One and offered what Thompson described as “beautiful” advice.
“I was in floods of tears because I felt like I was going to let everyone down,” he told The Standard of his injury, which under normal circumstances would put most people out of action for at least three weeks — and has already put him behind schedule.
“Every step is an absolute killer so we’re taking it slow. Ben Shephard said something to me which is really beautiful. He goes, ‘It’s about the line, not the time.’ It’s so true and I’m going to hobble there if I have to.”
Aside from the physical toll, Thompson says he’s also emotionally drained. “I haven’t slept at all and I don’t care — I haven’t showered!” he laughed. “I’ve got to stop crying! I’m crying all the time at the moment and funny enough, I’m not actually much of a crier.”
He added: “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m the luckiest person in the world. My friendship group and my family are the only things I have in this world, and it’s them and the amazing work Unicef do that are keeping me in the game.”
As someone who is neurodiverse, he said the mental side of the challenge has been equally tough.
“Being neurodiverse, your head can go all over the place,” he admitted. “I’ve had a lot of wobbles out here, so to keep me even slightly on the straight and narrow is a credit to everybody.”
Thompson, a vocal advocate for neurodiversity and ADHD UK ambassador, recently revealed he received a late autism diagnosis, having been diagnosed with ADHD in 2023.
Along the way, he has been met with an outpouring of love and support — including receiving a much-needed pep talk from best friend and Staying Relevant podcast co-host Pete Wicks, who joined him at a checkpoint on Wednesday.
“The messages have been so, so lovely,” the Hits Radio presenter said with genuine emotion. “People in cars driving past me, beeping and honking and getting involved. It’s such a beautiful world out there when everyone comes together and it’s such an amazing cause.”
While Wicks has hailed his pal as “an inspiration to the nation,” the Chelsea native remains humble, insisting he’s not the focus of the mission.
“I’m a vessel, I’m a nobody,” he explained. “It’s the people coming together and donating — they’re the absolute heroes of this whole thing.”
With every step, Thompson isn’t just battling pain; he’s pushing for a greater cause — a testament to his grit, heart, and the power of community.
You can get behind Thompson and donate to his Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for Unicef now at https://www.socceraid.org.uk/challenge
Every donation will be tripled this year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (matching up to £5 million) and an anonymous donor (matching up to £500,000).
