“have shelled out on their own tour bus and hit back at their ‘bitter’ critics”:Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks reveal plans to crack America-HO

For years they were relegated to making TikTok videos and small reality TV stints… but now older and wiser, Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks are ready to take on a more serious role – and have some very strong words for anyone who doubts them.

Sam and Pete, best known from shows like Made In Chelsea, The Only Way Is Essex, and Celebs Go Dating, have gained a new fanbase through their social media content and successful podcast, Staying Relevant.

Their friendship first flourished on reality TV, where they formed a strong bond despite not finding love on the shows they appeared on in 2019.

Now, they’re transitioning into becoming the UK’s next iconic double act and have set their sights on conquering America. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Sam expressed their ambition to “crack America.”

Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks have revealed their plans to crack America following their recent podcast success

Pete added: ‘I don’t know why he thinks that we’re going to crack America. Sam has been to America, we were out there working together and then Sam stayed for an extra week in order to raise his profile.’

A confident Sam, who was crowned King Of The Jungle during I’m A Celebrity 2023, added: ‘I feel like we’re in a place now where we could be the next James Corden.’

Pete added: ‘Well I don’t really want to be James Corden because not many people like him.’

Sam and Pete are taking their podcast, Staying Relevant, on the road, promising fans the same banter and chaos they’ve come to love.

Launched in 2022, Staying Relevant has amassed over 5 million downloads and consistently topped the No.#1 spot on the Comedy chart. Now, fans will have the opportunity to see Sam and Pete live in cities across the UK, including London, Birmingham, Dublin, Plymouth, Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle, and Glasgow.

To travel in style, the duo invested £20,000 in a tour bus, complete with their Staying Relevant logo. While on the bus, they’ve set some ground rules: Sam is prohibited from using the facilities for anything other than their intended purpose, and Pete isn’t allowed to invite any female guests onboard.

A confident Sam, who was crowned King Of The Jungle during I’m A Celebrity 2023, added: ‘I feel like we’re in a place now where we could be the next James Corden.’

Despite being kept busy with their podcast, Sam and Pete can also be found covering huge red carpets such as the NTAs and BRITs. The pair have now hit back at people who have criticised reality stars for taking Journalist’s jobs

Sam and Pete are currently on the road to bring their podcast, Staying Relevant, to life and have promised to recreate the banter and chaos their fans are used t.

Pete has regularly discussed the stresses and excitement of taking the podcast to the live stage on the show.

He has kept his fans regularly updated with his important meetings, taxing decisions and lengthy business plans – which he documents all by hand in a notebook.

Despite being kept busy with their podcast, Sam and Pete can also be found covering huge red carpets such as the NTAs and BRITs.

The pair have now hit back at people who have criticised reality stars for taking Journalist’s jobs.

Pete said: ‘The thing for me is, I don’t give a f**k what anyone has to say really. I think it’s a shame because it’s just a bit of a bitter attitude.’

‘We’ve done a couple now, and if we were that bad we wouldn’t keep getting booked for it.’

Sam added: ‘You aren’t going to say no to an opportunity, and you are always going to have people who aren’t the biggest fans. And I know people have journalism degrees and people like me and Pete don’t, but I’m not going to say no because I don’t have that degree.’

Pete emphasized, “If people spent more time focusing on themselves and not on other people, then they might get the work.”

Their collaborative efforts extend beyond their podcast as they often film Instagram ads together, sometimes joined by Sam’s girlfriend, Zara McDermott. Known for their pranks and dance videos online, Pete’s exasperation with Sam’s exuberance often delights viewers.

Reflecting on their enduring partnership despite their contrasting personalities, Pete shared, “We were reaching the end of our time together as a duo until Sam went into the jungle, and I thought, I can get another year out of this.”

Since his jungle success in Australia, Sam ahs become a regular fixture on popular ITV show This Morning. Despite the programme coming under fire following Phillip Schofield’s affair scandal, Sam is thrilled to be part of the ‘family’

They have become known online for playing pranks and filming dances, with Pete’s intolerance for Sam’s joyful personality sending viewers into hysterics

“So that’s kind of where we’re at now. Sam being the most relevant man in the country is kind of giving me a new lease of life. As soon as that wears off I’m gonna f**k off.”

Since his success in the jungle, Sam has become a regular on the popular ITV show This Morning.

Despite the program facing criticism amid Phillip Schofield’s affair scandal, Sam is delighted to be part of the “family.”

He expressed, “I adore it, I love daytime TV, I never thought I would be lucky enough to get into it. It’s like a family. I understand I go.”

t it because of I’m A Celeb, but all I can do is earn peoples trust and hopefully succeed and do as well as I can.’

Pete cheekily added: ‘Sam has plunged This Morning into chaos on many occasions.’