I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner Sam Thompson has opened up about his strong desire to become a father, confessing that the thought is simultaneously "freaking him out" as he settles into a new relationship.

The 33-year-old reality star recently made his romance with new girlfriend, DJ and producer Talitha Balinska, 25, public, nearly a year after his high-profile split from Zara McDermott (HELLO! Magazine).

The Fatherhood Deadline

Speaking on the latest episode of his Staying Relevant podcast with co-host Pete Wicks, Sam admitted that he has an internal deadline for becoming a dad.

"I do want to be a dad and that has been freaking me out a bit recently. I'm like, 'Ah, s**t'," Sam shared with Pete.

When asked if he had a cut-off age for having children, Sam stated his hypothetical goal: "I would probably say 36, so I have three years, less than three years, and I know I'm not going to do that as well, so that kind of sucks."

He also reflected on his past dreams, admitting he regretted not fulfilling an ambition to live and work in Los Angeles for a year, a goal he now feels he is "a bit old" to pursue (The Mirror).

New Romance with Talitha Balinska

Sam's admission about his future plans comes shortly after he introduced Talitha to his family. His sister, Louise Thompson, shared a picture on social media featuring Sam, Talitha, and her son during a family outing, confirming the relationship is moving into a more serious stage.

Key details about Sam and Talitha's relationship:

• Who is Talitha? She is a 25-year-old DJ, producer, and model signed with Premier modelling agency. She is also close with several Made In Chelsea stars, including Alice Yaxley, Issy Francis-Baum, and Yasmine Zweegers (HELLO! Magazine).

• How they met: They first crossed paths in 2023 when Talitha modelled for Dinelli, the sunglasses brand Sam co-founded with his friend Reza Amiri-Garroussi, though Sam was still in his previous relationship at the time.

• Reconnection: The couple re-connected and began dating after Reza invited Talitha to attend Sam and Pete's Staying Relevant show in London earlier this year (The Mirror).

A source described the couple as "absolutely smitten with each other," adding that it's "lovely to see him finally in a good place after a tough six months following his split from Zara" (The Mirror).

The Split from Zara McDermott

Sam and former Love Island star Zara McDermott ended their five-year relationship at the end of 2024 (The Independent).

• The breakup was reported to have occurred around December 2024, after five years together (OK! Magazine).

• Sam acknowledged the separation shortly after, calling it "a tough month" (The Independent).

• Zara has since moved on and was publicly spotted with singer-songwriter Louis Tomlinson in early 2025 (OK! Magazine).

Sam's current focus on fatherhood and his steady relationship with Talitha marks a new, hopeful chapter following the end of his long-term romance.

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