Sam Thompson left his fans delighted after confirming his new romance with Samie Elishi following his split from ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott.

The Made In Chelsea star, 32, and Love Islander Zara, 28, broke up in December after five years, and she has since moved on with One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.

And now dating and relationship coach Kate Mansfield has weighed in on Sam’s new relationship as she revealed the I’m A Celeb winner looks ‘more at ease’ and in a ‘very different headspace’ than he was with Zara. 

After five months as a single man, Sam revealed he had gone on his first date since the split and was then reported to have spent a romantic Easter weekend with Samie.

And on Saturday night, the pair appeared to make their budding romance official as they were pH๏τographed packing on the PDA at Olivia Attwood’s 36th birthday party.

Sharing a steamy smooch before beaming as they strolled hand-in-hand, Kate commented: ‘Sam Thompson looks like a man in a very different headspace these days. 

Sam Thompson left his fans delighted after confirming his new romance with Samie Elishi and now a dating coach has revealed why the relationship is set to last 

After five months single, Sam went on his first date since the split and then put on a very cosy appearance with Samie last Saturday night at Olivia Attwood’s birthday party 

‘His recent outings with Love Island’s Samie Elishi show him far more at ease and openly affectionate than we’ve seen in past public appearances with ex Zara McDermott.

‘With Samie, he’s all smiles, leaning in close, sharing kisses and walking in sync—classic signs of chemistry and a fresh, flirty connection. 

‘His body language is relaxed, and there’s a sense of lightness that suggests he’s enjoying being in the moment.’

Meanwhile, body language expert Judi James noted: ‘Sam’s tail appeared to be tucked between his legs then [with Zara], but with Samie that ‘tail’ appears to be wagging again. 

‘His posture and the way he walks suggests he has regained energy and enthusiasm, and he can barely stop smiling as they walk down the street.’

She went on to suggest that Sam would have known the cameras were near and so clearly wasn’t worried about pH๏τo evidence of the kiss getting back to Zara.

She explained: ‘When reality stars are “caught” kissing in the street it’s rarely by chance as, of course, that’s where the cameras are waiting, so this gives a performative-looking spin to his “romantic’ kiss”, meaning it could also be a “chef’s kiss” signal to Zara. 

‘But he’s clearly so chuffed here that he is still smiling while he’s kissing as we can see the dimples on the sides of his face.

A dating and relationship coach has revealed Sam looks ‘more at ease’ and in a ‘very different headspace’ with Samie than he was with Zara (pictured in August) 

 The couple were seen looking more sombre and walking side-by-side without holding hands in the final months of their relationship before finally going their separate ways (pictured in July)

Read More Sam Thompson has ‘realised his worth’ and ‘deserves the best’, says his best friend Pete Wicks

‘Even when he gazes at Samie’s face, his expression suggests delight, with raised brows as well as the smile.’

Earlier this week best friend Pete also hinted that the TV star has moved on, telling how Sam has ‘realised his worth’ and things have got better for him of late after the difficult start to the year.

And Kate backed Pete’s remarks before also adding that when Sam was with Zara the pair appeared ’emotionally strained’. 

While Sam and Zara previously cuddled up to each other in Instagram posts and packed on the PDA during public sightings, things appeared more strained at the end of their relationship.

The couple were seen looking more sombre and walking side-by-side without holding hands in the final months of their relationship before finally going their separate ways.

Though Zara did share a very loved-up post of them sharing a kiss on her birthday on December 14, the news of their split was made public just days later as things hit the rocks between them. 

Speculation that there was trouble in paradise was first sparked in June of last year when they were seen having a heated exchange after the Soccer Aid afterparty.

However, Zara then set the record straight and claimed she was actually giving Sam a ‘pᴀssionate’ post-match pep talk instead, telling him some ‘positive affirmations’.

But in the coming months, Sam and Zara were again seen looking more serious and less loved-up as they made various public outings towards the end of the year.

While Sam and Zara previously cuddled up to each other in Instagram posts and packed on the PDA during public sightings, things appeared more strained at the end of their relationship

Though Zara did share a loved-up post of them sharing a kiss on her birthday on December 14, the news of their split was made public just days later as things hit the rocks between them

Earlier this week best friend Pete hinted that the TV star has moved on, telling how Sam has ‘realised his worth’ and things have got better for him of late after the difficult start to the year

Comparing his body language with Samie to that with Zara, Kate said: ‘Compare that to those tense, post-Soccer Aid snaps with Zara: crossed arms, strained expressions, and noticeable physical distance.

‘Even during conversation, there’s a stiffness in their posture and a lack of ease—both signs of emotional strain or unresolved tension.’

Judi agreed as she added: ‘The last few signals during pics of his relationship with Zara made him look like a naughty child getting scolded by a parent.

‘Zara’s last pics with Sam saw her with her index finger raised in that gesture of authority or her fingers splayed in a look of irritation and frustration. 

‘She even performed the beaked hand gesture, which is like a non-verbal pecking away at someone while you’re talking to them. Her head was raised, with raising rituals suggesting a sense of control or status.’

But do the experts think the relationship will last? 

Kate concluded: ‘In short? Sam’s demeanour with Samie points to a man who’s moved on and is possibly feeling more emotionally aligned in this new relationship. 

‘Sometimes, body language says more than words ever could. Maybe it’s true love!? Time will tell..’

Yet Judi suggested the romance may be slightly one sided as she remarked: ‘There are no real reciprocal gestures in the pic of their kiss though and although she looks happy to accept it, her arms appear to be folded, which is an echo of his pose with Zara. 

‘Her head doesn’t seem to tilt into the kiss either, which makes it a little less Sєxy.’

Last Saturday night, Sam and Samie couldn’t keep their hands off each other outside Love Island star Olivia’s 36th birthday party at Bacchanalia in London after it was speculated that Sam had taken the fellow Islander as his date.

According to pals, Sam and Samie are really smitten with each other as they blossoming romance continues to heat up. 

The new couple made their first public outing together at Olivia’s birthday, with friends claiming it went really well and got them the stamp of approval from Sam’s best friend Pete. 

A source told MailOnline: ‘Things between Sam and Samie are really H๏τting up. Sam has introduced Samie to many of his friends now including some of the Made In Chelsea cast.

Zara has since quickly moved on with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson (pictured in May 2023) and their relationship was first revealed in March when they were spotted on a date

Read More Louis Tomlinson goes Instagram official with Zara McDermott as he sends fans wild with sweet comment

‘The biggest test came on Saturday night at Olivia’s birthday party when Samie met Sam’s best friend Pete for the first time.

‘But Pete absolutely loves Samie for Sam and thinks they really suit, which has only brought them closer together.

‘Although she would hate to admit it, Samie is smitten and they really like each other.’

Pete also hinted at Sam’s major life changes as he told how Sam has ‘worked on himself’ and said things have ‘got better’ for his best friend in recent months.

‘We’ve both had so much going on. Sam had a different start to the year, part of being someone’s friend is being there no matter what to say ”things are always going to get better” and they have,’ he told New Magazine.

Pete went on to gush about how Sam has ‘realised his worth’ and ‘deserves the best’ as he looked towards his friend’s future.

‘He’s great. Sometimes it’s about allowing people to work on themselves, realise their worth. I hope I’ve helped him do that, because he deserves the best,’ he added.

Sam and Samie’s joint appearance followed weeks of speculation about their blossoming relationship.

Sam first met Samie – who appeared on Love Island in 2023 and returned to the All Stars series this year – through his presenting role on spinoff, Aftersun. 

But following his break-up from Zara, the pair started exchanging flirty messages over Instagram before hitting it off in person.

A source told MailOnline: ‘Sam and Samie are really getting along and if early signs are anything to go by, this could turn into a long-term relationship. It may be early days still, but they do really like each other.

‘Sam is already introducing Samie to Chelsea by showing her off on the King’s Road over the Easter weekend and given how popular he is in the area, it meant a lot that he wasn’t hiding her away.’ 

Sam and his ex-girlfriend Zara split five months ago, with Zara quickly moving on with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.

Zara’s relationship with Louis was first revealed in March after the two were spotted at H๏τel The Suffolk in Aldeburgh.

They have since been inseparable, spending time together in Los Angeles and London, as well as with Zara’s close-knit family, and have gone Instagram official.

Hinting towards his heartbreak over Zara, Sam recently told how he’d gone through a ‘pretty tough time’, but that he was finally ‘comfortable in my own skin again’.

He told Pete on their Staying Relevant podcast: ‘I feel like I’m ready to get out there. I feel like I’m at a stage now where I feel confident enough that I can start approaching females.

‘I feel good, things are really really nice at the moment. And I feel like I’m happy. There’s no more brave faces’, causing Pete to proudly declare: ‘Sam’s ready to date!’