Sam Thompson has revealed his autism diagnosis has added ‘an extra layer of difficulty’ to his upcoming Soccer Aid challenge.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, is set to take on a mammoth 260-mile journey on both bike and foot to deliver the Soccer Aid matchball to its new home in Old Trafford, with the hope of raising much-needed funds for Unicef.

Earlier this week, Sam shared insight into how he navigates being diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and was praised by fans for his light-hearted take in a recent Instagram post.

And speaking to MailOnline ahead of kicking off his challenge on Monday, Sam admitted the praise he’s received from fans has left him feeling ’emotional.’

He said: ‘I’ve received so many messages this week about my autism and honestly, it’s touched me so much. It’s also made me so emotional coming just before my Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid which starts on Monday next week. Reading all of the DM’s and kind comments has been overwhelming.

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Sam Thompson has revealed his autism diagnosis has added ‘an extra layer of difficulty’ to his upcoming Soccer Aid challenge

The former Made In Chelsea star is set to take on a mammoth 260-mile journey on both bike and foot to deliver the Soccer Aid matchball to its new home in Old Trafford

Earlier this week, Sam shared insight into how he navigates being diagnosed with autism and ADHD , and was praised by fans for his light-hearted take in a recent Instagram post

‘I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 30, then Autism just after this, – I’ve been proud of this and spoken many times before about how I see it as a superpower.’

Speaking about his diagnosis, Sam said it came ‘as a relief’ to him at the time, and now feels he’s had time to ‘navigate life’ with the conditions.

He continued: ‘The diagnosis of both came as a relief to be honest. I am 32 now so I’ve had a good couple of years to navigate life after the diagnosis. 

‘Of course, it’s hard, but I do everything I can to look at the positive side of things, and how it makes me unique.’

Sam is set to take on an epic four-day mission which will see him running and cycling over 260 miles from London to Manchester, to transport the Soccer Aid matchday ball ahead of the game itself on June 15.

The I’m A Celebrity star admitted he knows he’ll have to ‘mentally dig deep’ to complete the challenge, as autism means he can struggled with ‘increased anxiety.’

Sam continued: ‘I recently announced that I’m attempting an epic challenge to raise money for UNICEF’s work supporting children around the world. This is going to test me both mentally and physically. 

‘Having ADHD and autism has added a layer of difficulty to my training for the Match Ball Mission, where I am going to be running and cycling over 260 miles from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford. 

And speaking to MailOnline ahead of kicking off his challenge on Monday, Sam admitted the praise he’s received from fans has left him feeling ’emotional’ 

The I’m A Celebrity star admitted he knows he’ll have to ‘mentally dig deep’ to complete the challenge, as autism means he can struggled with ‘increased anxiety’

Sam has also shared an exclusive video diary from his trip to Guatemala, where he got the chance to see the work of a UNICEF supported project

The star’s upcoming challenge is also set to feature in an ITV documentary, which will be broadcast on June 13

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE Sam Thompson reveals what he REALLY thinks of ex Zara McDermott’s new boyfriend Louis Tomlinson

‘On top of the gruelling physical challenge of the daily marathons and cycles, I will need to mentally dig deep to make it to the finish line.

‘Autism can increase my anxiety in social situations – which naturally is always tricky, and often I do like my alone time – I won’t be able to have much, if any of that, on the challenge! 

‘My autism also means I like a routine, and whilst I will have similar distances to run and cycle each day, no two days on the road will be the same, so that will quite literally keep me on my toes.

‘Saying all of this, I am absolutely determined to deliver the match ball to Old Trafford and raise as much money as possible. 

‘I recently went to Guatemala to visit a UNICEF supported project. I saw first-hand the difference that UNICEF is making to children’s lives. 

‘I am doing this challenge for the children I met and I hope to raise as much as possible because I promise you it makes a huge difference.’

Sam has also shared an exclusive video diary from his trip to Guatemala, where he got the chance to see the work of a UNICEF supported project.

The star’s upcoming challenge is also set to feature in an ITV documentary, which will be broadcast on June 13.

Earlier this week, Sam shared insight into how he navigates his autism diagnosis in an Instagram post.

On Instagram, he shared a clip of two Sams walking down the street, one to represent himself and the other his ADHD. 

He wrote: ‘You got diagnosed with ADHD in your late twenties but something still doesn’t add up..’,

The light-hearted sketch then sees Sam wearing an inflatable dinosaur costume emerge from around the corner, wearing a beaming smile.

Sam penned in his caption: ‘Knew there was more to the story’

In 2024, Sam became the official ambᴀssador of ADHD UK after he was diagnosed at the age of 30.

Sam has previously been open about his ADHD and has called it his ‘superpower’ several times.

I’m A Celebrity winner Sam said he is trying to ‘encourage conversation around the topic’ to help change people’s minds on how people view ADHD.

Sam shared a sweet video where he gave advice to two children – who also have ADHD – and told them to put all their energy into ‘something they love’.

The reality personality reminded them them that being neurodiverse was a ‘superpower’ during emotional chats with the kids.

Sharing the exciting news, Sam wrote on Instagram: ‘BIG NEWS! I am so honoured to announce that I am now an official ambᴀssador of @ADHDUK.CO.UK.

‘As many of you know, this is a cause very close to my heart. Their charity slogan is ‘positively changing what it means to have ADHD in the UK’ – and that just sums up my own mission as someone diagnosed with ADHD not too long ago. 

‘Their 5 goals as a charity are – Information, Support, Research, Advocacy, and Awareness – and I hope to use my own platform and audience to help with all of these.

‘Changing perceptions of those with ADHD, and encouraging conversation around this topic is and will continue to be a huge and central part of my life. This is what I want my legacy to be, above anything else.

‘Since I left the jungle, I’ve met so many children and adults who have come up to me, or contacted me to say I’ve helped change their minds on how they view ADHD.

Sam sent fans into meltdown after unveiling his ‘post break up glow up’ after his split from Zara McDermott, having thrown himself into training for his new challenge

‘I want to reach as many people as I possibly can, especially young people, and show there is such magic in being neurodiverse.

‘Yes there are some very real challenges along the way, but with the right support, it can be a superpower, it can be a blessing and we can achieve all of our dreams.

‘Thank you @ADHDUK.CO.UK for all the work you do for people like me, I am so pleased to be on the team!’

He also opened up about his ADHD during an episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and claimed at the time that he is ‘not ashamed’ of his diagnosis.

While speaking with campmates Marvin Humes and Josie Gibson, the TV personality admitted he has ‘terrible time keeping’ and ‘gets quite selfish’ with friends and his girlfriend at the time, Zara McDermott.

Sam split from his girlfriend of five years Zara in December and he has seemingly moved on with Love Island star Samie Elishi.

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM

People with autism have trouble with social, emotional and communication skills that usually develop before the age of three and last throughout a person’s life. 

Specific signs of autism include: 

Reactions to smell, taste, look, feel or sound are unusualDifficulty adapting to changes in routineUnable to repeat or echo what is said to themDifficulty expressing desires using words or motionsUnable to discuss their own feelings or other people’sDifficulty with acts of affection like huggingPrefer to be alone and avoid eye contactDifficulty relating to other peopleUnable to point at objects or look at objects when others point to them