Television personality and presenter Sam Thompson has spoken candidly about living with ADHD, the support he has received from his family, and an unforgettable encounter with King Charles III that led to an accidental breach of royal etiquette.
The former Made in Chelsea star, who rose to wider prominence after winning I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2023, is now using his platform to encourage young people with ADHD through his new book, You, Me & ADHD: A Positive Guide to Understanding Your Brilliant Brain.
Thompson described the book as the kind of resource he wished had been available during his childhood. He explained that it is designed to help children and parents better understand ADHD while offering practical advice for managing everyday challenges.
The 33-year-old said he believes ADHD can have positive aspects when properly understood and managed. While acknowledging the difficulties that often come with the condition, he said he hopes young readers will see that a diagnosis does not limit their future potential.
Thompson was formally diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 30 during the filming of a documentary exploring the condition. He revealed that concerns about becoming a future parent played a major role in seeking answers about his behaviour and attention struggles.
He recalled worrying about whether he would be fully present as a father and whether ADHD could affect his ability to focus on family life. Those concerns intensified after meeting another participant with ADHD while filming Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2019, an experience that encouraged him to pursue a diagnosis.
Since speaking publicly about ADHD, Thompson said many people have approached him to share their own experiences. He described emotional moments with families who said his openness had helped children feel less isolated.
Alongside his broadcasting and podcast work, Thompson has also become involved with The King’s Trust, supporting programmes aimed at helping young people develop confidence and opportunities. He said his work with the charity includes visiting schools and engaging directly with students.
During one event connected to the organisation, Thompson met King Charles and admitted the introduction did not go as planned. Arriving late and flustered after recording his podcast with Pete Wicks, Thompson accidentally greeted the monarch with “Hi mate” before quickly attempting to correct himself.
He later joked that the awkward exchange became even more confusing as he stumbled through different forms of royal address before finally settling on “Your Majesty.” Thompson said the King responded warmly and laughed off the moment.
The presenter also praised his sister, Louise Thompson, describing her as a constant source of support throughout his personal and professional challenges. He said she has stood by him during both difficult and successful periods of his life and has shown deep interest in understanding his neurodiverse experiences.
Reflecting on the success that followed his jungle reality show victory, Thompson said he remains grateful for the opportunities that have come his way, including radio hosting, podcasting and publishing his first book. He added that he feels there is still much more he hopes to achieve in the future.
You, Me & ADHD: A Positive Guide to Understanding Your Brilliant Brain is available now through Puffin.
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Source: Owink
