Sam Thompson and his former partner Samie Elishi were photographed stepping outside the National Television Awards for a cigarette and a private conversation, underscoring an apparently cordial relationship since the pair ended their brief romance in June, Daily Mail reported.
The pair, who began dating in April, were seen together on Wednesday night at the NTAs, where Thompson, 33, hosted the red carpet and Elishi, 25, represented Love Island, which was nominated in the reality TV category. They appeared in good spirits during a short chat in a smoking area and left the venue without attending the event's official afterparty.
Daily Mail previously reported the couple had split in June after a two-month relationship that "fizzled out," citing a source who attributed the end of the romance to busy schedules that limited time together. The outlet also reported that Thompson has since been linked to American influencer and holistic nutritionist Steph Robinson, who shares wellness and nutrition content online and has a reported social media following of about 170,000.
A source quoted by Daily Mail said Thompson and Robinson "have been on a date and are getting to know each other," adding that Robinson travels frequently for work but was spending an extended period in London. Thompson has also spoken publicly about his approach to dating; in July he said on his Staying Relevant podcast that he was "not ready" to date and planned to focus on himself.
The NTAs provided further context to the brief reunion. Love Island won the reality category at the ceremony, while a range of programmes and performers picked up awards across drama, comedy and factual categories. Thompson's appearance on the red carpet and Elishi's presence for Love Island marked a professional overlap for the pair on the night.
Their interaction follows other recent public reunions. Last month, Daily Mail footage showed Thompson and Elishi chatting at a launch party for a wellness venue, where they were seen socialising alongside mutual friends. At that event, a source described Thompson as "in good spirits" and said the pair repeatedly gravitated back to one another during the evening before leaving together.
Thompson's relationship with Elishi was his first public romance since splitting from Zara McDermott after five years together; McDermott has been publicly linked with former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson. Thompson's circle, professional commitments and media appearances have been a frequent subject of press coverage since his split from McDermott and throughout the recent series of short-lived relationships.
Photographs and accounts of the NTAs scene indicate a friendly interaction rather than a rekindling of the relationship. Representatives for Thompson and Elishi did not provide comment to Daily Mail at the time of those reports. The onstage winners and nominees at the NTAs highlighted the continuing prominence of reality programming in British television, even as personalities associated with those shows navigate personal and professional changes off camera.