SAM Thompson and Pete Wicks were seen looking cosy with two brunettes at pal Marvin Humes’ 40th birthday – but new romances aren’t in the air just yet.
We can exclusively reveal the women aren’t rebounds after the best pals’ respective splits from Zara McDermott and Maura Higgins.
Instead, they were just members of JLS‘s management team and it was all a bit of friendly fun.
A source told The Sun: “Sam and Pete are both single now and will be each others’ wingmen. And Sam is definitely ready to get back on the horse and date again after a miserable few weeks now Zara is moving on.
“But this time it was just a friendly chat, they were with JLS’s management team outside Marvin’s party!”
Smartly-dressed Sam, 32, looked to have his mojo back after his heartbreaking split in December.
The Made In Chelsea star looked handsome in a blue suit with matching shirt as he celebrated his I’m A Celeb co-star and pal Marvin’s special day.
He flashed a beaming smile as he chatted away to two women, both wearing black dresses, outside the five-star Savoy Hotel in London.
Strictly Come Dancing‘s Pete, 37, looked animated, while Sam placed a tender hand on a woman’s arm.
He was then seen cuddling a female party-goer in a pink dress as they stood in the foyer, before the pair headed out for a cigarette.
Meanwhile, Pete looked typically suave in an all-black outfit.
The Towie hunk, who hosts the Staying Relevant podcast with Sam, recently mocked his ex Maura Higgins’ antics after her drunken kiss with Danny Jones at the BRITs afterparty, and appeared happy and carefree to be hanging out with his pals at the celeb shindig.
Later in the night, Sam posted a selfie with Marvin and wrote: “Love you brother.”
The Beat Again hitmaker was thoroughly spoiled for his special night, which saw his wife Rochelle and kids on a stage alongside him as he blew out the candles on his cake.
Popstar Jessie J, who is a close pal of the pair, then took to the mic for a happy birthday song.
Meanwhile, Rochelle’s sister Sophie Piper made it home from her holidays despite the travel chaos sweeping the country, and oozed glam in a shimmering magenta dress.
She was joined by Love Island All Stars boyfriend Josh Ritchie and her siblings.
Sam’s chipper appearance came after he was supported by pals – including loyal buddy Pete – in the aftermath of his split from Love Island star Zara.
The Sun exclusively revealed earlier this week Zara, 28, is moving on with her life and is now dating superstar singer Louis, 33, of One Direction.
Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins' relationship timeline
Maura and Pete are believed to have met for the first time in 2019, following her stint on Love Island. She late said they “just clicked”.
In August 2024, the pair were spotted enjoying a lunch date together in London’s Soho.
The following month, Maura showed her support to Pete following the release of his book Never Enough: My Words Unfiltered. She wrote online: “Proud of you.”
In October, Pete appeared on Olivia Attwood’s podcast and was grilled about his romance with Maura. Olivia said: “Your dating life. Maura Higgins.” Pete replied: “Me and Maura have known each other for a long time.” Olivia told him she’d seen a photo of them kissing.
Maura spoke briefly about Pete on Paul C Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast in the same month. She said: “We just get on very, very well. I adore him, he’s an amazing person.”
Later in October, Maura and Pete were spotted kissing and cuddling several times; once at the Pride Of Britain afterparty and again during a dinner date.
Maura jetted off to the jungle for I’m A Celebrity in November. But she continued to pretend nothing was going on. Maura told GK Barry: “No, I’m single. People can date and not be in a relationship and take things slow. What’s the point in getting them involved too soon, when you just don’t know where it’s gonna go, you know?”
In December, Maura and Pete flew to Ireland and spent Christmas together. The pair broke cover and gave fans a glimpse inside their cosy lake house.
Just weeks later, Pete told The Times that he was “s*** scared” of settling down. He also appeared in Loose Women in February and spoke about his fears of commitment.
On February 14, Valentine’s Day, it was reported that Pete and Maura had split up.
Zara and Sam split after five years together and she was spotted with Louis on a cosy date at a hotel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
The E4 reality TV stalwart was “blindsided” by Zara moving on.
We were first to reveal images of Love Islander Zara‘s date with dad-of-one Louis – click here to see The Sun’s exclusive pictures.
A source said: “Louis whisked Zara away for a break in Suffolk and he absolutely charmed her.
“It’s clear he thinks she’s drop-dead gorgeous too.
“For now they’re taking things slowly and enjoying each other’s company to see where it takes them.”
The Sun revealed Louis and Zara were seen giggling and holding hands while they dined on £100 fish and chips on their date.
Podcast host Sam also made reference to his heartache shortly before her relationship was revealed.
The split has left pals of the pair divided amid reports their break-up has taken a bitter twist.
