Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott have split after five years together.
However, the couple had raised concerns about their relationship several times, including after that heated chat on the street in June.
The Love Island star and the I’m A Celebrity winner decided to end their relationship, which saw them traveling and building a house together, after growing apart.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline on Wednesday: ‘Sam and Zara have ended their relationship. “It has been an incredibly difficult decision for them to separate, they still care and love each other very much.”
But there have been signs of trouble in paradise for some time now, from accusations of public arguments to the memorable Zara cheating scandal.
And in June, Zara was seen engaged in a heated chat with Sam after the celebrity Soccer Aid.
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split after five years together, however the couple had raised concerns about their relationship several times, including after that heated chat on the street in June.
The Love Island star and the I’m A Celebrity winner decided to end their relationship, which saw them traveling and building a house together, after growing apart.
The pair struck up a passionate conversation as they left the star-studded after-party held at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington.
As they waited for their taxi home, Zara looked frustrated as she visibly waved her arms while immersed in a tense chat.
Earlier in the day, his supportive girlfriend Zara cheered the TV star on as he helped England secure a 6-3 win against the World XI in the charity match.
But hours after the drunken celebrations, the couple clashed outside the after-party.
After Zara frantically pointed out the winner of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, she began to walk away from the conversation.
However, after seeing photos of the pair arguing, Zara took to social media and insisted at the time that they were simply having a “passionate” conversation and that no argument occurred.
She wrote on Instagram: ‘Why did this make me laugh so much? (laughing emojis) ‘Stop saying you should have scored!!!! You did your best and that’s all that matters!! ‘You have to stop doubting yourself!!!’
“It looks like we’re arguing, but I’m actually telling him positive affirmations in a very passionate way.”
In June, Zara was seen locked in a heated chat with Sam after Celebrity Soccer Aid, in which she later insisted the pair were simply having a “passionate” conversation and there was no argument.
The couple also went through a difficult period early in their relationship when Zara admitted she had cheated on Sam in 2019, the same year they started dating.
The couple went through a difficult period early in their relationship when Zara admitted she had cheated on Sam in 2019, the same year they started dating.
Zara addressed her infidelity in an Instagram post, writing: “A big mistake I made a year ago has recently come to light and I want to face it head on.
‘I don’t tolerate infidelity and I made a big mistake at a time in my life when I was hugely selfish and immature.
‘I think I have learned a lot from my mistake. I want to apologize to my Sam for everything I have put him through, for the pain, the shame, the anger and the hurt.
‘All I want to do is fix this and I think the least you deserve is for me to be honest with myself and with all of you. I love you Sam. Forever x’.
A source revealed that the date took place between Zara and “someone in the music industry” around the time she took part in X Factor: Celebrity.
Although they broke up after Zara admitted to cheating on her, Sam eventually forgave her and they got back together.
The couple struggled to make their relationship work after Sam won I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last year and his work schedule doubled.
After landing a new presenting job on ITV’s This Morning, Sam spent the end of 2024 in Australia co-presenting I’m A Celebrity spin-off Unpacked alongside Joel Domett and Kemi Rodgers.
Zara couldn’t go to Australia with him because she was filming a documentary for the BBC at the time.
The couple became estranged after Zara was unable to fly to greet Sam on the bridge after she won I’m A Celebrity in 2023, as she was still taking part in Strictly Come Dancing at the time.
She was also unable to fly out to greet him on the bridge after he won I’m A Celebrity in 2023, as she was still taking part in Strictly Come Dancing at the time.
Sam has also struggled with his mental health recently. She previously revealed that she suffered a panic attack on her first day at the I’m a Celebrity camp.
The couple were last seen together celebrating Zara’s birthday in December, where Sam dedicated an Instagram post to his girlfriend, calling her his “soulmate” and “best friend.”
Less than a week later, the former E4 star was pictured outside Stringfellows strip club on a 4am bender with TOWIE’s Pete Wicks.
They also had separate Christmases after Sam volunteered for a charity and Zara stayed with her close family in Upminster, Essex.
Sam celebrated New Year’s Eve by partying with his former Made In Chelsea co-stars Reza Amiri-Garroussi and Josh Patterson at London’s Kensington Roof Gardens, having drinks, while Zara spent the night at home with her cats.