Pete Wicks Takes Sledgehammer Swipe at Sam Thompson’s Ex Zara McDermott
A public spat between reality TV stars Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson has erupted, with Wicks taking a thinly veiled swipe at Thompson’s ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott. The snub came as Wicks, 37, cheered on Thompson, 34, as he tackled a gruelling 260-mile endurance challenge on bike and foot in aid of Unicef.
According to The Sun, Wicks was seen holding a sign that read "You caaaaaan" – a clear nod to McDermott’s infamous plea to Thompson on Made in Chelsea back in 2020, after she admitted to cheating on him. The Sun newspaper reported that Wicks posted a hilarious photo to Instagram with the caption: "Pete pulled through with the best motivation. Sam was a big fan. Drop in the comments which sign is your favourite?"
Thompson was seen bursting into laughter as he spotted the sign, and the pair’s friendship was on full display as they shared an emotional moment during the challenge. The Sun reported that Thompson has been using a bike and foot to complete the challenge, due to a calf injury he sustained while running.
The challenge, which is set to end on June 15, aims to raise money for Unicef’s mission to help children worldwide grow up safe, healthy, and able to play. The Sun reported that Thompson has been running a marathon a day, as well as cycling, to reach his goal.
Wicks and Thompson have a long-standing friendship, and the pair co-host the Staying Relevant podcast together. The Sun reported that Wicks couldn’t resist taking a dig at McDermott, who has recently been in the headlines due to her romance with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
McDermott and Thompson had a tumultuous relationship, with McDermott admitting to infidelity in 2020. Although they briefly reconciled, they eventually called it quits for good in January 2025. The Sun reported that Wicks had previously forgiven McDermott for her cheating scandal, but the pair eventually drifted apart.
As reported by The Sun, Thompson’s challenge has not been without its setbacks, with him suffering a calf injury while running. However, he has persevered and has continued to push through the pain.
The Sun newspaper also reported that McDermott’s relationship with Tomlinson continues to make headlines, with the pair being spotted together on several occasions. Wicks’ swipe at McDermott is just the latest development in a long-standing saga between the group of friends.
According to The Sun, a source close to the friends said: "Pete has always been there for Sam, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. He’s just trying to help Sam stay motivated and focused on his challenge."
As reported by The Sun, Thompson’s challenge is set to end on June 15, when he arrives at Old Trafford for Soccer Aid. With Wicks’ support and motivation, Thompson is sure to reach his goal and raise a significant amount of money for Unicef.
In a statement to The Sun, a spokesperson for Unicef said: "We’re grateful for Sam’s efforts in supporting our mission to help children worldwide. His challenge is an inspiration to us all, and we’re looking forward to seeing him cross the finish line on June 15."
