For years, Sam Thompson has been known for his happy-go-lucky nature, as the star of Made In Chelsea, I’m A Celebrity and his podcast Staying Relevant.
But in recent years, the star has shared a completely different journey with his followers, after being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and autism in 2023.
At the time, Sam was on the brink of his 30th birthday, and admitted it was a relief to receive the diagnosis after struggling with being branded ‘lazy’ and a ‘bad student’ while at school.
Now, as part of ADHD Awareness Month, Sam, 32, has spoken to the charity ADHD UK about his diagnosis, saying he hopes to help other children see the condition can be a ‘superpower.’
Since being diagnosed, Sam has become an ambassador for the charity, and said he wants to ‘raise as much money as he can.’
He said: ‘When I was first diagnosed, I felt this massive weight off my shoulders. Hearing the diagnosis made me feel so much better about myself.’
Sam Thompson has revealed how being diagnosed with ADHD felt like ‘a massive weight off his shoulders,’ and he now views the condition as his ‘superpower’
The Made In Chelsea star was diagnosed with the condition in 2023, on the eve of his 30th birthday, and he has since shared the relief he felt after struggling to focus at school
‘I would like to bring as much attention to this as possible with whatever voice I have.’
‘I like to tell kids it’s a superpower because I genuinely believe it can be. If you can channel your ADHD into doing something you love, whether that’s a subject, industry or a hobby.
‘Having said that, I think the struggles people have are very real and it’s about trying to balance that conversation with not feeling ashamed.’
After his journey to being diagnosed featured in a Channel 4 documentary, Sam then opened up about managing his ADHD while appearing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, going on to be crowned series champion.
The reality star shared that he was overwhelmed by the response from fans when he left the show, in particular the praise from others in the neurodiverse community.
He said: ‘When I came out of the Jungle the biggest surprise I got was the community that surrounds neurodiversity and the positive change that one conversation on a national TV show had.
‘The number of parents that came up to me after the jungle saying my child has been ashamed of having ADHD and, after watching that part in I’m A Celebrity, had their perspective completely changed.
‘If I could do that just once, if that much has changed in a positive way from one conversation on one TV show, the difference it seems to have made in a few of these kids’ lives. I’ve never felt like that before. I’ve never felt a community like that before.. It’s made me so laser focused on that being my why.
Since being diagnosed, Sam has become an ambassador for ADHD UK, and said he wants to ‘raise as much money as he can’
Since his diagnosis, Sam has also been supported by his best friend Pete Wicks, with the pair taking to the stage for their Staying Relevant live show at London’s O2 Arena last month
‘There are beautiful things that I believe come with ADHD. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it and I’m pretty proud of myself.’
When he was diagnosed with ADHD, Sam shared at the time he was relieved to finally get answers after his struggles to concentrate at school left him ‘crying into his textbooks.’
As part of ADHD Awareness Month, and his work with The King’s Trust, Sam also paid a visit to Oaks Park Secondary School, where he discussed his diagnosis and ADHD with the students.
Asked what advice he’d give to his younger self, he said: ‘To my younger self I’d say you’re not feeling this way alone. There are many, many, many other people feeling exactly the way you are, and you are in it together.
‘The most positive thing of having ADHD to me is the people I’ve met and the community that I’ve found who are such a big impact in my life.
‘These are people that I’ve met on the street, online, at the O2, any of the shows I’ve done – the community that is around ADHD, and the community ADHD UK has managed to cultivate and that I’m lucky enough to be part of, is so special.
‘I genuinely think that’s the best thing about having ADHD. The love we all have for each other and willingness to all be there and have each other’s backs.
‘The charity [ADHD UK] has helped so many people and I’m incredibly proud to be a part of it.’
While Sam rose to fame on Made In Chelsea, he previously shared that he ‘was never really himself’ on the show due to his ADHD struggles, and it’s only in the past couple of years he’s felt truly happy.
Since his diagnosis, Sam has also been supported by his best friend Pete Wicks, with the pair taking to the stage for their Staying Relevant live show at London’s O2 Arena last month.
The pair’s journey to podcast success is set to be documented in their upcoming book, which will be released in November.
The pair’s journey to podcast success is set to be documented in their upcoming book, which will be released in November
As part of ADHD Awareness Month, and his work with The King’s Trust, Sam also paid a visit to Oaks Park Secondary School, where he discussed his diagnosis and ADHD with the students
Earlier this week, Sam also paid a visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he met with some of the patients and staff working on the ward
In snaps shared on GOSH’s Instagram, the star played games with some of the kids being treated on the ward
In 2024, Sam became the official ambassador of ADHD UK after he was diagnosed at the age of 30.
At the time, the star said he is trying to ‘encourage conversation around the topic’ to help change people’s minds on how people view ADHD.
Sam shared a sweet video where he gave advice to two children – who also have ADHD – and told them to put all their energy into ‘something they love’.
The reality personality reminded them that being neurodiverse was a ‘superpower’ during emotional chats with the kids.
Sharing the exciting news, Sam wrote on Instagram: ‘BIG NEWS! I am so honoured to announce that I am now an official ambassador of @ADHDUK.CO.UK.
‘As many of you know, this is a cause very close to my heart. Their charity slogan is ‘positively changing what it means to have ADHD in the UK’ – and that just sums up my own mission as someone diagnosed with ADHD not too long ago.
‘Their 5 goals as a charity are – Information, Support, Research, Advocacy, and Awareness – and I hope to use my own platform and audience to help with all of these.
‘Changing perceptions of those with ADHD, and encouraging conversation around this topic is and will continue to be a huge and central part of my life. This is what I want my legacy to be, above anything else.
‘Since I left the jungle, I’ve met so many children and adults who have come up to me, or contacted me to say I’ve helped change their minds on how they view ADHD.
‘I want to reach as many people as I possibly can, especially young people, and show there is such magic in being neurodiverse.
‘Yes there are some very real challenges along the way, but with the right support, it can be a superpower, it can be a blessing and we can achieve all of our dreams.
‘Thank you @ADHDUK.CO.UK for all the work you do for people like me, I am so pleased to be on the team!’