I’m A Celebrity star Sam Thompson and Strictly Come Dancing’s Zara McDermott have called time on their five-year romance
Sam Thompson has been seen for the first time since his split from Zara McDermott.
It was revealed earlier this week that Sam, 32, and 28-year-old Zara had split after a five-year relationship. The pair not only lived together in a huge home next to Sam’s sister Louise Thompson, but also shared two cats; Cedric and Albus.
Looking incredibly sombre, Sam was seen arriving back at his London home on Thursday wearing a beige bomber jacket and dark-coloured trousers. Sam looked straight ahead and appeared to be deep in thought as he went about his day.
The TV star was wearing headphones and quickly slipped into his plush property, seemingly in a bid not to draw too much attention to himself. Zara was nowhere to be seen.
It comes after the couple spent Christmas and New Year separately. I’m A Celebrity winner Sam rang in the new year by partying at London’s Kensington Roof Gardens with former Made in Chelsea co-stars Reza Amiri-Garroussi and Josh Patterson. Meanwhile Zara had stayed at home with their cats.
A week earlier, Sam had been handing out presents and volunteering for a charity on Christmas Day, while Zara spent the time in Upminster, Essex, with her family. The couple had also spent time away from one another while Sam worked on I’m A Celebrity spin-off show Unpacked in Australia. Zara was unable to travel over due to work commitments while she was filming a BBC documentary.
A source told the MailOnline: “Sam and Zara have ended their relationship. It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways, they still care and have a lot of love for each other.”
They continued to say that the couple had worked hard on their romance but that spending time away from one another had made it difficult and they’re keen to spend time on their individual careers moving forward.
Neither Sam nor Zara have yet spoken out about the claims, but the former Made in Chelsea star took to his Instagram Stories during a morning walk on New Year’s Day to share his excitement over 2025. “New year! 2025 baby come on let’s have it! I can’t wait. The New year is going to be amazing and you’re going to have the best year ever. And you know I’m always right,” said Sam before appearing to kiss his camera.
Meanwhile, Zara seemingly admitted her fears for her future with Sam years before their eventual split. Former Love Island star Zara, 28, cheated on Sam, 32, just 16 months into their relationship, and Zara admitted in 2022 that she thought they were going to break up as soon as it had come to light.
The BBC documentary maker had cosied up to music boss Brahim Fourad during her time on X Factor in 2019, but after a public grovelling apology, Made in Chelsea star Sam forgave her.
Zara spoke to Jaime Laing about her cheating scandal while on Made In Chelsea in October 2022 where she revealed she was convinced that they wouldn’t make it through. She said: “When it happened I genuinely thought that me and Sam were going to break up, inevitably. I just thought we were hanging on by a tiny thread and we’re going to break up.”
Weeks before Zara opened up on the E4 series, she had made an emotional on-screen apology to Sam – which came nearly a year after her X Factor appearance. She shared a comment on her Instagram story that said: “A huge mistake I made a year ago has recently come to light and I want to face this head on. I don’t condone being unfaithful and I made a huge mistake at a time in my life where I was hugely selfish and immature.
She continued: “I believe I have learnt so much from my mistake. I want to apologise to my Sam for everything I have put him through, for the pain, the embarrassment, the anger and the hurt. All I want to do is make this right and I think the least he deserves is me being honest with myself and all of you. I love you Sam. Forever x.”
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