Sam Thompson’s new girlfriend is Talitha Balinska, a 25-year-old model and DJ from London. The couple confirmed their relationship in early December 2025 after months of dating, and have since become one of British entertainment’s most visible new pairings.
The relationship marks a fresh chapter for the Made in Chelsea star and I’m a Celebrity winner following his split from Zara McDermott in December 2024. Thompson, 33, has publicly described Balinska as “the nicest, loveliest human being” and confirmed the couple are now living together.
Who Is Talitha Balinska?
Talitha Balinska is a model and DJ signed to Premier Models, with a following of approximately 163,000 on Instagram. She comes from a notable family background: her half-sister is Hollywood actress Ella Balinska, who starred alongside Kristen Stewart in the 2019 Charlie’s Angels reboot.
Her father, Count Kaz Balinski-Jundzill, works in the oil industry and is married to model Sophie Anderton. This family connection places Balinska within the same London social circles that Thompson has navigated throughout his career on Made in Chelsea.
The couple’s connection began in an unexpectedly professional setting. They first met in 2023 when Balinska modelled for a campaign for Dinelli Eyewear, the sunglasses brand Thompson co-founded with his friend Reza Amiri-Garroussi. At the time, Thompson was still in a relationship with McDermott, so nothing developed between them.
How the Relationship Began
The romantic spark came later, after Thompson’s split from McDermott. Amiri-Garroussi, a former Made in Chelsea co-star and Thompson’s business partner, orchestrated a reintroduction by inviting Balinska as a surprise guest to Thompson’s sold-out Staying Relevant live show at the O2 Arena in London.
According to a source close to the situation, “the rest is history”. The pair began dating in September 2025, though Thompson initially kept the relationship private while processing the end of his five-year relationship with McDermott.
Thompson confirmed he was dating Balinska during an October 2025 episode of his Staying Relevant podcast, which he co-hosts with best friend Pete Wicks. At that point, he was careful not to label the relationship officially, telling Wicks: “There’s no pressure, and that is the beauty of it. There’s no pressure, there’s no time frame”.
Making It Official
By early December 2025, Thompson had asked Balinska to be his girlfriend. He shared the details on his podcast, describing the moment as deliberately understated. “Mate, it was just super relaxed. It was so boring really, but that’s kind of how I wanted it to be,” he said.
The proposal happened over dinner, with Thompson telling her: “I really, really like you and you make me feel really comfortable. I feel like I can be myself around you. I don’t want to be dating anyone else”.
The couple then spent their first Christmas together with Thompson’s family, including his mother Karen, his sister Louise Thompson, Louise’s fiancé Ryan Libbey, and their young son Leo. They wore matching candy cane-striped pyjamas in photos shared on Instagram, signalling how quickly Balinska had integrated into Thompson’s close family unit.
Thompson went Instagram official with Balinska on December 13, 2025, posting a loved-up snapshot from a London dinner date. The timing drew some attention because it fell on the eve of his ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott’s 29th birthday.
Milestones in the Relationship
The relationship progressed rapidly through the first half of 2026. In February, Thompson revealed on his podcast that he had told Balinska he loved her during an awkward but endearing moment on the sofa.
He described the exchange in characteristically self-deprecating terms: “I kept on saying, instead of ‘I love you,’ ‘I like you.’ And then ‘I like you a lot.’ And so it’s going in steps. I would leave the house and be like ‘I like you a lot!'”. When he finally said the words, Balinska replied “I love you too,” and the couple sat in silence before bursting into laughter.
By May 2026, Thompson confirmed on ITV’s Lorraine that the couple were living together. When host Lorraine Kelly suggested he had “found the one,” Thompson replied: “I wouldn’t be with her if I didn’t. I’m too old! Yeah, she’s amazing”.
The same month, the couple made their red carpet debut at the King’s Trust 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Royal Albert Hall, where Thompson was announced as an official King’s Trust ambassador. Balinska wore a white satin gown, and they were joined by Thompson’s sister Louise.
Public Appearances and Family Integration
Balinska has become a regular presence at Thompson’s side throughout 2026. In July, they attended Wimbledon together, mingling with former Made in Chelsea co-stars Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo in the Evian VIP suite. Thompson shared photos from the day on Instagram, captioning one “Stole a kiss with the most beautiful girl at Wimbledon”.
In August, the couple were photographed enjoying a beach holiday in Marbella, Spain, where they participated in water sports including inflatable rides. The images showed a relaxed, playful dynamic between them.
Thompson has also spoken about how Balinska supports him in managing his ADHD, which he was diagnosed with in 2023. He told Lorraine that she “gets me so well,” and described her as “mad, in like all of the most amazing ways”.
Context: The Zara McDermott Split
Thompson’s relationship with Balinska follows the end of his five-year romance with Zara McDermott, a former Love Island contestant turned documentary maker. The couple split in December 2024, with Thompson later describing the period as “uncomfortable” and “shocking”.
McDermott has since moved on with One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson, and the two went Instagram official in March 2025. Thompson has publicly expressed goodwill toward the new pairing. When asked on his radio show how he felt about McDermott’s boyfriend, he said: “I think everyone has found their person, and I think that’s really, really nice. And I’ve actually met said guy, and he seems like a really nice dude”.
Thompson also revealed a practical consequence of the split: he had to renovate his kitchen after initials carved into the wooden drawers and bronze handles, a joint design choice from his time with McDermott, became impossible to keep. “They chiselled our initials in so I couldn’t like cover it up,” he explained.
What’s Next
Thompson and Balinska appear to be in a settled, committed phase. With cohabitation confirmed and public appearances now routine, the relationship has moved well beyond the early dating stage. Thompson’s own words on Lorraine suggest he sees long-term potential: “I wouldn’t be with her if I didn’t”.
For now, the couple continue to balance their public profiles with private family time. Balinska’s integration with Thompson’s family, from Christmas matching pyjamas to holidays with his sister Louise, indicates a relationship that has become deeply embedded in his personal life rather than remaining a separate chapter.
Who is Sam Thompson’s girlfriend?
Sam Thompson’s girlfriend is Talitha Balinska, a 25-year-old model and DJ from London. She is signed to Premier Models and has built a following of over 500,000 on TikTok. She is also the half-sister of Hollywood actress Ella Balinska, known for the 2019 Charlie’s Angels reboot.
How did Sam Thompson and Talitha Balinska meet?
They first met in 2023 when Balinska modelled for a campaign for Dinelli Eyewear, the sunglasses brand Thompson co-founded with friend Reza Amiri-Garroussi. However, they did not start dating then because Thompson was still in a relationship with Zara McDermott. They reconnected in September 2025 after Amiri-Garroussi invited Balinska as a surprise guest to Thompson’s live podcast show at the O2 Arena.
When did Sam Thompson and Talitha Balinska make their relationship official?
Thompson confirmed he was dating Balinska in late October 2025 on his Staying Relevant podcast. They became officially boyfriend and girlfriend in early December 2025, and Thompson shared the news on his podcast, describing the moment as “super relaxed.” They went Instagram official on December 13, 2025.
Has Sam Thompson said “I love you” to Talitha Balinska?
Yes. In February 2026, Thompson revealed on his podcast that he told Balinska he loved her during an awkward moment on the sofa. He described the exchange in detail, explaining that he initially kept saying “I like you a lot” before finally saying the words. Balinska replied “I love you too,” and they sat in silence before bursting into laughter.
Are Sam Thompson and Talitha Balinska living together?
Yes. In May 2026, Thompson confirmed on ITV’s Lorraine that they had moved in together. When host Lorraine Kelly asked if Balinska was “the one,” Thompson replied: “I wouldn’t be with her if I didn’t. I’m too old! Yeah, she’s amazing.” He also described her as “the nicest, loveliest human being.”
