A photo to kick off this month’s newsletter: Sam showing off his new Crocs, courtesy of Red Bull. Pete got a pair too but unsurprisingly he seemed far more interested in the Red Bull cans that came with them.
Right, first things first… hope everyone survived the heatwave the other week. We had approximately four days of sunshine and Sam began referring to himself as “Mediterranean”. Renovations have also begun on his 'coastal paradise' - also known as his garden in South West London. Costa del Thompson, pending, I suppose.
Anyway. May was absolutely ridiculous, as usual!
Most importantly… Sam and I COMPLETED the Hackney Half Marathon for the incredible charity Be More Fab! Honestly, one of the best days ever and we were so proud to run for such a special cause. Florrie and her family - Andy, Stacey and Freddie are like family to everyone here at SRP, so it made the whole thing feel even more meaningful.
Now, Sam went into this half marathon with the confidence of a man who ran a fair bit last year. You may have seen his rather impressive undertaking during his challenge for UNICEF. I was kindly assured that he would "stay with me" and "look after me" throughout the race. Sam also suggested sprinting the last 5K.
Sam barely completed the last 5K.
Unfortunately, around the 18km mark, reality hit him like a bus. I physically pulled him along by the arm while he repeatedly whispered, "Leave me behind," like we were in a war film. I'd love to say I was supportive, but honestly, I spent most of it crying with laughter.
And speaking of running… we hosted the VERY FIRST Staying Relevant Run Club!
Honestly, this was one of our favourite things we’ve ever done. We ran 6k around Central London with loads of Relevanters and the vibes were outrageously high. There was music, chaos, sweat, emotional support… and yes, Sam carried an entire speaker on his back for the duration of the run, dreams really do come true.
Pete, meanwhile, appeared to treat the event as more of a moving pub crawl. Every time we turned a corner he somehow had another drink in his hand. HOWEVER… at the end of the run he made a HUGE public promise that he will run the next one with us. So please place your bets now because personally I’d say there’s about a 14% chance.
We also attended the Palace this month which still feels completely surreal to say out loud. Very classy. Very sophisticated. Very normal behaviour throughout, apart from the moment Sam physically lifted me up so I could see the King over the crowd. Nothing says “royal celebration” quite like being hoisted into the air by a man sweating through his shirt.
While we were there, I also met a cast member of Paddington the musical which was genuinely one of the highlights of my life. I don’t think this is how royal networking events are supposed to work, but hey ho.
Back to the studio, we had the legend that is MYLES SMITH on the pod this month which honestly felt like such a huge moment!!!
Can confirm this cake was 10/10. The whole team demolished this cake very quickly.
What a lovely lovely man. Although… he did arrive carrying a cake with a screenshot of messages proving that Sam never replied to him. So that whole BRITs story Sam has been telling for months was completely rewritten in real time. Pete took unbelievable joy in this revelation and immediately declared Myles his new best friend. I’ve never seen betrayal happen so quickly.
Also this month, Pete revealed possibly the most disturbing hidden talent we’ve ever witnessed. He somehow managed to perform this bizarre gymnastics/frog hybrid movement. Every day we discover something new about Pete and every day I leave more confused. The “does Pete actually exist?” saga continues.
OH - and perhaps my personal favourite moment of the month… Sam got mistaken for being 40 years old.
The poor woman in the café had absolutely no idea the damage she’d caused. Well I partly caused some of that damage by sprinting to tell Sam what had happened.
A Final Note
PETE’S RANT OF THE WEEK
“Run clubs are just cults of sweaty people”
A Final Final Note
SAM’S RANT OF THE WEEK
“Your body gives up before your mind does. Unfortunately my body and mind both gave up at kilometre eighteen.”
Outside of work, the Monday Meetings continue to be hanging on by a THREAD. Between bank holidays, runs and palace visits, I’m not entirely sure any of us know what day it is anymore.
But honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Over and out,
Producer Pippa xxx