Wednesday’s (4 September) episode of Loose Women saw Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks welcomed to the panel for a one-off special dubbed Loose Women & Men.

Best pals Sam and Pete were joined by host Christine Lampard and fellow panellist Olivia Attwood on the programme, with the foursome discussing everything from romance and kids to friendship and anxiety.

During one segment, the stars discussed whether they would admit to feeling broody, particularly while dating.

Sam candidly discussed his hopes of one day starting a family, but admitted he wants to find his “soulmate” first, especially after spending more time with his sister Louise and her partner Ryan, who are parents to three-year-old son Leo.

“As Liv said, your life is no longer your own after you have a child. But, definitely. I would love kids, I absolutely would. But, you’ve got to find a partner. I think you’ve also got to find a soulmate,” Sam told the panel.

Sam Thompson appeared on Loose Women (Image: ITV)

He cotninued: “Being around my sister and my brother-in-law, they’ve had challenges that maybe transcend others, but it’s really, really tough.

“On a flight on the way back from a family holiday, Leo had an ear infection and he was screaming on the plane. There’s nothing you can do, you have to be a team. And, you have to be soulmates. You have to be the best of teams. Until I find that, I don’t think I can.”

Sam is currently single after splitting frome ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott. The couple were in a relationship for five years and lived together in London, however they parted ways earlier this year, and she has since moved on with One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.

It’s not the first time Sam has opened up about being broody, as the TV star previously discussed his bond with his nephew Leo on his podcast Staying Relevant, which he co-hosts with ex-TOWIE favourite Pete.

Sam revealed how he’d grown closer to Leo over the past year, having started spending more time over at his sister’s house.

Sam was previously in a relationship with Zara McDermott (Image: Getty)

“I think the year that I’ve had has pushed me towards them in the best possible way,” he told Pete. “I’ve been hanging around there all the time. I went on his first bike ride with him. That was so cool. I now feel like I actually have a part to play in his life from here until the day I die, which is cool.”

Sam went on to admit: “I’m getting broody. I just feel like we’re getting there, I feel like I’m getting there.”