Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson’s relationship ended after five years, largely due to her infidelity with music executive Brahim Folad in 2019 during her time on The X Factor. Despite attempts at reconciliation, Sam’s family remained disapproving, particularly his sister Louise, who questioned why he took Zara back. While the couple initially shared enjoyable moments, the long-term viability of their relationship was always in doubt. Friends noted that they had different lifestyles and experiences, contributing to their estrangement. Ultimately, their bond couldn’t withstand the emotional fallout from Zara’s affair, leading to their official split.
Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson’s relationship was doomed from the moment she cheated on him with a music executive while appearing on The X Factor five years ago, Mail Online can reveal.
A source close to the couple said Sam’s family never forgave Zara, despite trying to bring her back into the fold after she had an affair with music boss Brahim Folad in 2019. It is said that there was not.
The Made in Chelsea star’s younger sister Louise, 34, has been the most vocal about her disapproval of Zara, questioning her brother why he took her back, but she is determined to give him another chance. agreed.
However, the couple’s relationship did not last long and they officially ended their relationship just over five years after her affair.
The news came as no surprise to those close to the reality star, who believed they had done well as long as they had followed Zara’s infidelity.
A friend told MailOnline: “It never felt like Zara and Sam’s relationship was going to be long term.”
“They never recovered from Zara’s affair and most couples would have continued to suffer for a long time afterwards.
“Zara had to make a big reconciliation, especially with Louise, and she wasn’t really happy when Sam got her back.
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split after five years together, spend New Year’s Eve apart
Zara photographed during X Factor rehearsals in November 2019
The couple ended their five-year relationship, during which they traveled and built a home together, after they separated.
“But she managed to make it work and they had a great time together again, but it felt like it never really got serious.
“They were estranged and their lives were so different that they put off the inevitable for months.”
Another friend described Zara and Sam as a “strange pairing” and said he didn’t think they looked that good together.
A source told MailOnline: “Sam is a bit of a boy with lots of energy and Zara is a fashion girl at heart and is quite mature behind the silliness seen in her TikTok videos.”
“She’s only 28, but she has an old head on young shoulders.
“Her maturity was helpful in dealing with Sam’s low moments, which often occur due to his battles with mental health. She really understood how they affected him and was able to I was there.”
Sam, 32, initially ended his relationship with Zara in September 2019 after she cheated on him.
They had been dating for 16 months when he discovered what happened between the former Love Island star and Foladay, who previously worked for Simon Cowell as A&R director on Psycho. Ta.
Zara appeared on celebrity show The X Factor as part of a group of former Love Island contestants on ITV’s one-off series, which was ultimately won by former Towie star Megan McKenna .
Zara addressed her infidelity in an Instagram post, writing: “The big mistake I made a year ago has recently come to light and I want to face it head on.”
The pair had a rocky time fairly early on in their relationship, but Zara admitted to cheating on Sam in 2019, the same year they started dating.
Zara has been close friends with Sam’s sister Louise (right), but they have been spotted together less frequently in recent months.
Zara was unable to fly out and greet Sam on the bridge after he won I’m A Celebrity 2023 as she was still taking part in Strictly Come Dancing at the time.
Speaking about the affair to Jamie Laing during an appearance on Made in Chelsea in October 2022, Zara said: “When it happened I really thought Sam and I were going to break up.” he said. I thought we were going to break up because we were just hanging on by a few threads. ”
A few weeks earlier, almost a year after she appeared on the show, Zara was caught having an affair and apologized profusely.
She wrote on her Instagram Stories: “A huge mistake I made a year ago recently came to light and I want to face it head on. I made a huge mistake at a time when I was very selfish and immature.
She continued, “I believe I have learned a lot from my mistakes. I apologize to Sam for the pain, embarrassment, anger, and hurt I caused him. All I want to do is make this right and I think the least he deserves is to be honest with myself and with everyone. Forever x’.
In November 2020, Sam received a heartfelt apology and took Zara back, and in January 2021, the newly reunited couple flouted coronavirus regulations and flew to the Maldives, where they later lived together in Sam’s Chelsea home. Ta.
On the work front, their respective careers have skyrocketed since they got back together, which friends believe was another big factor in their longevity together.
Sam was crowned King of the Jungle in 2023 after winning I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! In the same year, Zara became the first Love Island star to feature on Strictly Come Dancing.
She finished in 10th place, but then her partner Graziano di Prima, 30, complained about Zara’s behavior and was removed from the series for verbally and physically abusing her, resulting in her exit on the show. Time cast a shadow.
Zara, who has also made several documentaries for the BBC, joined Sam in the audience for this year’s series in support of her close friend Pete Wicks, 37.
The former E4 star was pictured celebrating the New Year by taking pictures with friends on Kensington’s roof garden.
But just weeks after they were spotted together in the stands, the pair, who spent New Year apart, have finally put an end to their romance.
Sam celebrated New Year’s Eve by partying with former Made in Chelsea co-stars Reza Amiri Galushi, 36, and Josh Patterson, 34, at Kensington Roof Gardens in London. Zara spent the night at home with her cats.
They also spent Christmas apart, with Sam volunteering for a charity and Zara staying with extended family in Upminster, Essex.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline: “Sam and Zara have ended their relationship.” Breaking up was an incredibly difficult decision for them to make, but they still care and love each other.
“However, after a tough year of working hard on their romance, they have decided to part ways and focus on their individual careers in 2025.”
“There were no scandals or rifts between the two of them, but it was the result of a difficult year in which they both had to spend a lot of time focusing on their own projects.”
