ZARA McDermott’s new romance with Louis Tomlinson has been confirmed after months of speculation.

This is after breaking up with her long-term boyfriend and Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson over allegations of her cheating. Here’s what we know about what happened.

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Zara, who shot to fame on Love Island, and Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson have ended their five year relationship after ‘growing apart’.

The news of their split was confirmed by a source close to the couple on New Year’s Day.

Early on in their relationship,  Zara confessed to having a fling with music exec Brahim Fourad while taking part in The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019.

And a source has since said: “Zara and Sam’s relationship just never had felt like it was heading for the long haul.

“They never really recovered from Zara’s cheating, most couples would have struggled lasting for as long as they did afterwards.”

The insider added to MailOnline: “Zara had some big making up to do, especially with Louise, she really wasn’t happy when Sam took her back.

“But she managed to make it work and they had some great times together again, but it just felt like it was never going to be truly serious.”

Who is Brahim Fouradi?

Brahim Fouradi is well known in the music industry, and has previously worked for Simon Cowell as an A&R director for Syco.

Because of his vast experience, over the years he has been involved in talent shows such as The X Factor.

Brahim crossed paths with Zara McDermott, when she took part in X Factor: Celebrity in 2019.

Meanwhile, he has since left Syco and now lives and works in Holland.

When did Zara McDermott cheat on Sam Thompson?

The Sun exclusively revealed in September 2020, that a livid Sam dumped Zara after discovering that she’d cheated on him.

Sam ended their 16-month relationship after getting wind of what happened between her and Brahim during her stint on X Factor: Celebrity.

A source close to Zara told The Sun at the time: “Sam suspected quite early on that something was going on between Zara and Brahim, and there was a big confrontation.

“She was spending increasing amounts of time with him backstage, and hanging around after hours.

“Sam found out and kicked off. He’s devastated about how things have turned out.”

Are Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson still together?

The couple broke up in the wake of Zara’s infidelity in the early days of their relationship, and they’ve now split again.

In October 12, 2020, Zara shared a video montage of their memories together, writing: “To the love of my life, I want you to know how much I adore you. This video will show you why.”

Over & Over Again by Nathan Sykes played in the background of the montage, which was made up of a series of intimate clips of Sam and Zara’s 16-month relationship replay.

Zara also wrote: “Remember… you are everything. You are my moon and all my stars and everything in between. I miss you. I love you more and more every day.”

Her post seemed to do the trick, as in November 2020 the couple got back together with Sam forgiving Zara for the infidelity.

In January 2021, the newly back-together couple defied coronavirus rules by flying off to the Maldives.

The pair then moved in together and seemed happier than ever.

Sam previously revealed he would like to have children with Zara, and hopes for at least “three or four”.

“When I’m 40 I definitely hope that I have a family. I want marriage and kids,” he told The Mirror.

“I probably want three or four. But Zara’s in charge, she’ll probably tell me!

“I look at my little baby nephew Leo, he’s not a baby anymore – he’s two-and-a-half, but he’s the cutest thing in the world. If I could have a child like him I’d have ten!”

On New Year’s Day 2025 they split for a second time.

Following the split, Sam joined some of his Made In Chelsea pals while enjoying a wild New Year as his ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott stayed in their Chelsea home.

The TV star, 32, was seen in a pub making a toast as Reza Amiri-Garroussi filmed.

Sam and Reza were joined by a group of pals at Kensington Rooftop Gardens, including MIC star JP.

In his speech I’m A Celeb winner Sam told fans it was going to be a “memorable evening”, as he told his reality telly pals how lucky he was to be spending New Year with them.

Reza filmed Sam’s speech as well as showing the reality star downing shots.

Yet whilst Sam was out partying, Zara McDermott stayed in their shared home with her cat and took a photo, writing “Happy New Year.”

In the wake of the break up news, fans called out a host of worrying clues prior to their sad break-up, including the fact they didn’t spend Christmas together.

On March 17, 2025, it was confirmed that Zara was now in a relationship with former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, after specualtion had grown around the pair dating.

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