Sam Thompson Attempts To Set A Spooky World Record On 'This Morning'

On Halloween, ITV's 'This Morning' delivered a thoroughly festive spectacle as Sam Thompson, known for his bubbly personality and regular appearances on the show, attempted a Guinness World Record feat that was as thrilling as it was hilarious. The challenge? To place nine pumpkins in a wheelbarrow while blindfolded - all within a one-minute time limit.

The show's co-hosts, Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond, fully embraced the Halloween spirit, donning elaborate costumes as Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. They introduced the challenge with their usual mix of banter and enthusiasm, setting the stage for what would become an unforgettable, pumpkin-packed few minutes.

As Alison explained to viewers, Sam needed to blindfold himself, then take nine pumpkins - each weighing over three kilograms - and place them into a wheelbarrow positioned five metres away. It wasn't as simple as just dropping them in; the pumpkins had to stay in the wheelbarrow to count towards his total, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the already tricky challenge.

Joanne Brent, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, was on hand to outline the stringent rules. She stressed that Sam would have no physical help - only verbal cues. The pumpkins would be passed to him by a team of familiar 'This Morning' faces, each in costume. Any pumpkin that fell out of the wheelbarrow wouldn't count, and anyone passing the pumpkins had to remain behind a line to avoid disqualification.

Sam was dressed head-to-toe as a mummy, bandaged up and ready for action, albeit a little nervous. "I don't want to let you down," he confessed, looking understandably anxious. The team rallied around him, offering encouragement and more than a little Halloween-themed camaraderie.

Helping Sam were some of 'This Morning's' most recognisable regulars, all dressed in suitably spooky attire. Josie Gibson, transformed into Cleopatra in a striking gold dress and dark wig, was on hand to shout instructions, while Gok Wan passed pumpkins dressed as a vampire, complete with cape. Giles Brandreth appeared as a skeleton, and resident therapists Nik and Eva Speakman opted for creepy costumes to join Sam's "pumpkin posse."

As the countdown began, the tension mounted. Joanne counted down, and at the sound of "Go!" Sam, blindfolded and relying entirely on Josie's directions, grappled with the hefty pumpkins, guided by a mix of encouragement and laughter from his teammates.

However, it quickly became clear that the task was harder than it looked. The countdown clock ticked away as Sam struggled to keep his balance and the pumpkins in place. Despite his best efforts, when the minute was up, only six pumpkins had made it into the wheelbarrow - a gallant effort but short of the world record.

Seeing his determination, Dermot and Alison decided to give Sam another chance. "We're going to give you one last attempt," Dermot announced, rallying the team for round two. Sam, buoyed by the support and perhaps feeling a bit more confident after his first attempt, prepared himself for a final go.

With Alison counting down and the team cheering him on, Sam had one last opportunity to conquer the Halloween challenge. Would he reach the magic number of nine and claim his place as a three-time Guinness World Record holder? You can catch the full clip from the Halloween special on 'This Morning' to find out whether Sam managed to overcome the odds and secure the title.