Hold the phone – or rather, don’t, because Sam Thompson is about to go completely silent!

The ever-energetic Made in Chelsea star and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! winner has dropped a major health bombshell, revealing he’s set to undergo surgery to remove a cyst from his vocal cords later this year – a procedure that will leave him unable to speak for three full days!

The 33-year-old TV personality made the candid confession during a candid chat on his hit podcast Staying Relevant, co-hosted with his best pal and fellow reality TV veteran Pete Wicks.

What started as a casual catch-up about festive tumbles and health niggles quickly turned serious when Pete shared his own upcoming medical appointment after a nasty fall at home over Christmas.

Pete, 37, explained he’d missed a previous slot and was now seeking advice for his injury – prompting Sam to chime in with a cheeky: “That’s two men who are going for surgery this year.”

Pete then teased: “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 cords.”

Sam quickly shut down the music career joke, laughing: “What music am I getting involved in?” before getting real about the issue.

“Yeah, I genuinely am,” he admitted. “I’ve got a cyst on my vocal cords. I’m having that taken out, which is going to be mad because it means I have three days of vocal rest.”

Fans were stunned – the man who never stops talking, reduced to whispers (or nothing at all)? It’s hard to imagine!

The Procedure: What We Know About Vocal Cord Cysts

According to the NHS, vocal cord cysts (also called vocal fold cysts) are small, non-cancerous swellings that form on the edges of the vocal cords in the voice box (larynx).

They often develop when the vocal cords slam together with too much force over a prolonged period – think overuse from constant chatting, podcasting, presenting, or even the high-energy life of a reality TV star.

Common in people who rely heavily on their voice (broadcasters, singers, teachers), symptoms include:

• Persistent hoarseness or a rough voice
• Vocal fatigue and strain
• A feeling like you constantly need to clear your throat
• Pain or soreness when speaking
• In severe cases, breaks in pitch or complete voice loss

The cysts can be fluid-filled (mucus retention cysts) or more solid (epidermoid cysts), buried just beneath the surface of the vocal fold.

Surgery – typically a microlaryngeal procedure under general anaesthetic – involves delicately removing the cyst using microscopic tools to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible.

Post-op recovery is strict: patients are advised absolute vocal rest for the first three days (no speaking, whispering, humming, laughing, or even coughing if avoidable) to allow the surgical site to heal without strain.

After that, gradual voice use resumes under speech therapy guidance, with full recovery taking weeks to months depending on the cyst size and individual’s healing.

Whispering? Surprisingly bad – it strains the cords more than normal speech!

For a non-stop talker like Sam – who co-hosts a weekly podcast, appears on TV, and chats endlessly on socials – three days of silence sounds like pure torture.

But Sam seemed philosophical, calling it “mad” but accepting the necessity.

Pete Wicks’ Own Health Scare Adds to the Drama

The conversation didn’t start with Sam’s reveal – it kicked off with Pete opening up about his tumble at home during the festive season.

The former TOWIE star admitted he’d missed a medical appointment last month and was now rescheduling amid concerns.

Pete has previously spoken openly about vision issues (including a lazy eye from childhood that once had him considering an eye patch) and other health woes.

His fall – details not fully disclosed – has left him seeking advice, turning the podcast into an unexpected double health confessional.

Sam’s quick jump-in with his own surgery news turned it into a supportive bro moment, with the pair laughing through the seriousness.

Sam’s Busy Life: From Jungle King to Podcast Powerhouse

Sam Thompson has been one of reality TV’s most enduring stars since bursting onto Made in Chelsea in 2013.

Known for his cheeky charm, loyalty to friends, and endless enthusiasm, he won over the nation when he triumphed on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2023, becoming King of the Jungle.

Since then: podcast success with Staying Relevant (which drops new episodes Wednesdays and Sundays), brand deals, fitness transformations post-breakup, and navigating life after his split from long-term girlfriend Zara McDermott in late 2024.

The pair’s five-year romance ended amicably, with both moving on – Zara now with Louis Tomlinson, and Sam confirming he’s officially off the market again.

In recent episodes of Staying Relevant, Sam excitedly declared: “I’ve got a girlfriend! I’ve got a girlfriend!” to Pete’s teasing.

The lucky lady? Talitha Balinska, a 25-year-old influencer and model.

The couple went Instagram-official in early December 2025, spent their first Christmas together, and have been spotted on cosy dates – including a night supporting Sam’s beloved Chelsea FC.

Sam even introduced Talitha to his family, sharing snaps with sister Louise Thompson, her fiancé Ryan, and nephew Leo.

As for whether Talitha will be by his side during surgery? The star hasn’t confirmed – but sources say the supportive new romance could see her playing nurse during his vocal downtime.

How Fans Reacted: ‘Get Well Soon, Chatty King!’

Social media lit up after the podcast dropped.

Fans flooded comments with love and concern:

• “Sam without talking for THREE DAYS? The world isn’t ready!”
• “Sending all the healing vibes – you’ve got this, king!”
• “Pete and Sam health updates on the pod? This is peak Staying Relevant drama.”
• “Vocal rest after all that podcasting? Hope recovery is quick!”

Many shared their own experiences with voice issues, wishing Sam a speedy return to his bubbly self.

Others joked: “Three days? He’ll be texting novels instead!”

The Road Ahead: Recovery, Podcast Hiatus?

Sam hasn’t revealed the exact surgery date (later this year, per his comments), but recovery will likely mean a short break from recording.

Staying Relevant fans might face a few silent episodes – or creative workarounds like pre-recorded segments or guest hosts.

But knowing Sam, he’ll bounce back louder than ever.

In the meantime, the nation’s favourite chatty celeb has our full support – rest those cords, Sam!

Get well soon – we can’t wait to hear your voice again.