This Morning Presenter Sam Thompson Reveals 'Savage' Feedback Session Left Him Physically Shaking
Sam Thompson, the reality television star who rose to fame through I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and now appears weekly on ITV's flagship morning program, has disclosed a startling behind-the-scenes encounter with network executives that left him visibly shaken. The 33-year-old television personality, who secured his position in the ITV lineup following his jungle victory, described receiving what he characterized as unexpectedly harsh criticism during what he anticipated would be a routine performance review.
The Summons to the Office
Thompson explained that he was called into a meeting with the This Morning editor, whom he identified only as a 'lovely guy' but is understood to be Vivek Sharma, who assumed leadership of the program following Martin Frizell's departure. Speaking candidly on the Staying Relevant podcast alongside co-host Pete Wicks, Thompson recounted the experience with remarkable transparency. "He was like 'I think you're doing great, I just want to go through where I think we're doing well, where I think we can improve'," Thompson revealed, adding that he initially welcomed the opportunity for constructive feedback.
An Unexpectedly Critical Assessment
The former Made in Chelsea star admitted he entered the meeting expecting primarily positive reinforcement with perhaps minor suggestions for improvement. Instead, he found himself subjected to what he described as a 'savage' half-hour critique. "He sits down and goes, 'Sam, I think you're doing a phenomenal job, these are the things I think you could be better at'," Thompson recalled. "Spent the entirety of the thing being like, 'So this bit, I don't know what you're doing'. That's quite savage reviews!"
The intensity of the feedback session had a profound physical effect on the presenter. "It went on for about half an hour, by the end of it I'm white as a sheet, I'm, like, shaking," Thompson confessed. The executive concluded the meeting with a brief, "Anyway mate, smashing it," before departing, leaving Thompson to process the unexpectedly critical evaluation.
Specific Areas for Improvement
While Thompson did not elaborate on every aspect of the feedback, he did share one specific critique regarding his presentation style. "He said that the art of the segue could do with a little bit of panache," Thompson noted, referring to the transitions between segments in his weekly celebrity updates. Despite the initial shock, Thompson acknowledged the professional value of such direct feedback, stating, "These kinds of reviews actually do help, because I then did take on board what he said and I did actually do a little bit better."
Broader Context of Television Performance Reviews
This revelation offers a rare glimpse into the high-pressure environment of morning television, where presenters must balance entertainment value with professional polish. Thompson's experience underscores the rigorous standards maintained by production teams at major networks like ITV, even for established personalities with proven audience appeal. The incident also highlights the evolving leadership at This Morning under editor Vivek Sharma, who appears to be implementing a more direct approach to talent development.
Thompson's willingness to publicly discuss this challenging professional moment demonstrates both his commitment to improvement and the increasingly transparent nature of celebrity culture in broadcasting. His experience serves as a reminder that even successful television personalities continue to receive critical feedback as part of their professional development within competitive media environments.
