ITV I'm A Celeb hosts Ant and Dec's 'embarrassing' snub of jungle star Sam Thompson
Sam Thompson's first ever meeting with TV hosts Ant and Dec took place months before he arrived Down Under to film I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and the cringe-worthy experience ended with him chasing the duo down the red carpet.
Sam Thompson's 'awkward' encounter with Ant and Dec
Sam Thompson received an embarrassing knock-back from Ant and Dec when he and podcast co-host Pete Wicks attended the National Television Awards.
The 31-year-old, who is dating Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott, mistook Dec for Ant after repeatedly trying - and failing - to secure a red carpet interview.
The awkward moment ended with Pete, who filmed all the action, telling Sam he'd "never been more embarrassed to be his friend".
In a video published to Pete's Staying Relevant TikTok account, Sam can be seen eagerly approaching Ant and exclaiming: "You'd be amazing to interview for like five seconds, if that's OK?"
Ant's publicist, who was by his side at the time, stepped in and shook his head - but in a cringeworthy moment for Made in Chelsea star Sam, he didn't realise initially that he was being given the cold shoulder.
His eyes had been focused on Ant instead, who smiled warmly and shook his hand, so he exclaimed: "Oh good man, thank you sir!" only for Ant to promptly walk away.
Following the rapidly retreating figure, Sam continued: "Oh, you're saying hi, OK, I really appreciate that, thanks very much!"
Turning his attention to Dec, but not realising the difference between him and his sidekick, Sam then chased him down the red carpet, exclaiming: "We've always wanted to be you! We love you, Ant!"
Dec didn't address the case of mistaken identity, but simply told Sam before rushing off that the pair were "late" and he needed to go, while Pete lamented "the awkwardness".
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Pete looked on, wincing, before telling his pal: "I've got to be honest, that past 10 minutes has made tonight worthwhile, because I don't think I've ever been more embarrassed to be your friend."
On the other hand, Sam seemed completely unfazed by the snub, and joked: "I think we smashed that!"
The non-plussed star also grinned: "[At least] I got a handshake, so f*** it!"
Fast forward to his arrival in the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle a couple of months later, and it's likely Sam will now have no shortage of opportunities to interact with the two hosts.
However, this time, rather than a fleeting moment on the red carpet, the star will be trapped in a remote area of the Australian jungle.
Tensions have already run high with Fred Sirieix and Nigel Farage clashing over opposing Brexit views, while the latter has endured a brutal trial involving consuming sheep udder.
However, Sam seems to be relishing the opportunity to take a step further in his reality career.
"Going in a boy and coming out a man? I absolutely love that idea," he revealed ahead of his entry to the jungle this month.
