SAM Thompson has opened up on his ‘heated row’ with Zara McDermott and has confessed he was “furious” during the exchange.
Photos emerged of the much-loved couple appearing to engage in an argument with one another after the official Soccer Aid after party.
The discussion raised eyebrows and left fans wondering why the pair had come to blows.
Now the I’m A Celebrity champ has opened up on just what went down with him and his partner.
He spoke out during his Staying Relevant podcast where Zara joined him as a guest co-host in place of Pete Wicks.
Offering up some context behind the ‘row’, Sam said: “I think it’s time to quash the elephant in the room. It’s huge.
“We need to quash these rumours now before they get started. There was an article on the Soccer Aid after party where there were photos taken of myself and my lovely girlfriend Zara having what genuinely looked – and I almost feel like we did when I know we didn’t – [an argument].”
He continued: “We’ve been papped looking like we’re about to tear each other’s throats out.
“It looks I’ve cheated on her, it’s that bad. She’s pointing at me with her finger.”
Zara laughed as she interjected about the fiery-looking images: “And it looks like you’re really cocky with your arms folded smirking.”
The Love Island alum went on to offer up a real explanation behind the ‘row’ as she insisted she was simply trying to give her partner a pep talk.
She said: “We’d had a bottle of water each, it was 25 minutes into the after party and we both looked at each other and went, ‘Shall we go?’
“I’d driven so the car was parked across the road and Sam through the whole night, kept whispering in my ear, ‘Could have scored. Could have scored though.'”
He butted in to confirm that he was, in fact, “f***ing furious,” about missing out on getting a goal during the charity match.
During the moment the photos were taken, Zara told the podcast’s listeners exactly what she had said, revealing: “‘I’m sick and tired of hearing you say you could have scored. You played so well, how many times do I have to say it?’
“This is the exact conversation that we had and obviously I’ve been papped doing this.”
The photographs initially caused concern with speculation rife that the couple could be on the rocks but all suspicions have now been well and truly put to bed.
It was Sam’s first ever appearance at the annual celeb-packed football match.
He was on the pitch alongside fellow stars including Danny Dyer, Bobby Brazier, Lee Mack, Usain Bolt, Tommy Fury and Tom Grennan.