Sam Thompson reveals he is undergoing surgery to his vocal chords that will leave him unable to speak

Sam Thompson has revealed he is to undergo surgery which will leave him unable to speak for days as he opened up about his health on Monday. 

The TV personality, 33, made the confession on the latest episode of his Staying Relevant podcast with pals Pete Wicks, 37,

Sam explained that he needs the operation to remove a cyst on his vocal chords as he gave fans a health update. 

Sam and Pete chatted away de-briefing about their festive celebrations before discussion turned to their health.

Pete, who has previously spoken about issues with his vision and his eye, said he has an appointment this month after he took a tumble at home in December. 

After his reveal, Sam chipped in: ‘That’s two men who are going for surgery this year,’ before Pete clarified: ‘Yes, because Sam…

‘I don’t know if we are allowed to talk about it, it was one of the announcements we were going to wait for later, Sam is looking to go into music.

‘So he is having some surgery on his vocal chords.’

Sam gave the game away that the potential music career was a joke and repeated: ‘Music?’

Becoming serious, Pete said: ‘No, you’re having vocal chord surgery?’

Sam replied: ‘Yeah, I genuinely am. I’ve got a cyst on my vocal chords. I’m having that taken out, which is going to be mad because it means I have three days of vocal rest.’

A vocal cord cyst is a benign lesion which may cause a hoarse voice.

They often occur in those who over-use their voice, such as singers, professional speakers and broadcasters and the cysts happen when glands that produce mucus in the throat get blocked up.

According to NHS after-care advice from London-based Guys and St Thomas’, they state: ‘For the first three days after the operation, we recommend that you do not speak or use your voice at all.

‘This is to allow healing time for the surface of your vocal cord or cords around the site of the surgery.’

They state whispering, laughing or humming should also be avoided.

Fans will no doubt be left disappointed by the after-effects of his surgery, as Sam is known for his bubbly chatty personality on his podcast. 

 It comes after Sam and new girlfriend Talitha Balinska enjoyed a date night as he introduced her to his football team.

The reality star brought Talitha along to a Chelsea football match for a home game at Stamford Bridge.

Before heading to the grounds, Sam posted a sweet snap of him and Talitha as they donned matching blue jerseys.

Influencer Talitha styled her shirt by rolling it upwards to show off her bronzed midriff for the mirror snap.

Sam captioned the post: ‘Game day baby!!!’

He then shared another snap from outside the grounds as they headed towards the stands, writing: ‘Really trying to ruin my Christmas holidays Chelsea…’

Sam was referencing the fact that Chelsea drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth, missing out on the chance to move fourth.

Despite the result, Sam and Talitha appeared to have a great night together as their relationship progresses.

The pair’s romance has heated up over the past few weeks as they spent their first Christmas together.

Festive snaps showed them celebrating the big day with Sam’s mum, his sister Louise, 35, and her fiancé Ryan Libbey, 35, as well as Louise and Ryan’s son Leo, 4. 

In one of the photos, the couple wore matching pyjamas with red and white candy cane stripes, covered in a festive motif of wreaths and Christmas trees.

Sam and Talitha finally confirmed their relationship to fans in early December after months of dating. 

The couple were set up on a date by Sam’s friend and former Made In Chelsea co-star Reza Amiri-Garroussi, after first meeting in 2023 when Talitha modelled in a campaign for Sam and Reza’s sunglasses brand, Dinelli.

While Sam was in a relationship with ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott at the time, he recently reconnected with Talitha after she was invited as a surprise guest to his live show at the O2 Arena and, as one source told the Daily Mail, ‘the rest is history’. 

Zara and Sam dated for approximately five years – with the pair going official in May 2019 and later splitting in December 2024. 

Sam recently spoke to his best pal Pete Wicks about officially coming ‘off the market’ during their Staying Relevant podcast.

He said: ‘I’ve got a girlfriend. I’ve got a girlfriend!’ as Pete quipped: ‘We’ve lost him again to the dark powers of a woman.’

When probed about the details of the moment he asked Talitha the important question, Sam insisted: ‘Mate, it was just super relaxed. It was so boring really, but that’s kind of how I wanted it to be. 

‘We just went for dinner, and I was like, “I really like you”. And I just went, “I’d love to be your boyfriend”. I don’t know why I’m panicking more now!’