Zara McDermott reportedly ‘begged to appear’ on a major reality dating show following her shocking split from Sam Thompson.
It was revealed that the Strictly star, 28, and the I’m A Celebrity winner, 32, split on Wednesday after spending the holidays apart, as they called it quits after five years.
And now, it looks like Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating may have set their sights on the blonde bombshell for the next installment.
“Celebs Go Dating bosses are very keen to sign up Zara for the 2025 series – she is a big fan favorite and they think she would be perfect for the show and would have men lining up to date her,” he said a source. the sun.
“It may be too soon after Sam’s split, but they think she would see the true meaning behind the show, which is about stars looking at themselves and their dating patterns.”
MailOnline has contacted Zara representatives for comment.
Zara McDermott reportedly ‘begged to appear’ on a major reality dating show following her shocking split from Sam Thompson.
It was revealed that the Strictly star, 28, and the I’m A Celebrity winner, 32, split on Wednesday after spending the holidays apart, as they called it quits after five years.
But just days before they split, Zara gushed about how “proud” she was of Sam.
Sam spent Christmas Day with the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation while helping to deliver Christmas presents in London.
Zara commented on the post and wrote: “I’m so proud of you, it’s so beautiful that you chose to give up your Christmas day to help others.”
Just two days before their split was confirmed, Zara left another funny comment on one of Sam’s posts.
He uploaded a video of himself jokingly calling his best friend Pete Wicks while taking part in Strictly Come Dancing late last year.
Quoting Sam in the video, Zara wrote: “Are you in a safe place? Always gets me” alongside several laughing emojis.
It comes after Sam released his first Stay relevant podcast since the news that he split from his girlfriend Zara on Wednesday.
During the podcast, Sam and his co-host Pete Wicks jokingly handed out their ‘Staying Relevant Awards’, including ‘Most Likely to Get Fired’ and ‘Biggest Failure’ among their team.
“Celebs Go Dating bosses are very keen to sign up Zara for the 2025 series – she is a huge fan favorite and they think she would be perfect for the show and would have men queuing up to date her,” he said a source told The Sun.
But Zara gushed about how “proud” she was of Sam just days before they split, leaving fans stumped.
Sam spent Christmas Day with the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation while helping to deliver Christmas presents in London.
Zara commented on the post and wrote: ‘I’m so proud of you, it’s so nice that you chose to give up your Christmas day to help others.’
One of his awards was ‘Best Crew Member’ which Pete gave to his fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional, Jowita, who appeared on the podcast while Sam was in Australia.
He said: “The best new member of the team is next, I think it’s obvious.” She’s someone who helped us while Sam was away, we all love her.
‘Some have said it is a good replacement and potentially better. She is part of one of the most defining partnerships of 2024 in the world of television and has become a sensational part of this team. The winner is Jowita.’
Sam noted that he recently saw Jowita’s abs and was impressed by them.
He said: ‘I have to say, a fantastic pair of abs too.’ I couldn’t believe it, when she took off her blouse, I felt like I was in hell. Incredible, washboard. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Pete and Jowita reached the semi-final of last year’s Strictly, which was won by comedian Chris McCausland and dancer Dianne Buswell.
It comes after MailOnline exclusively revealed that his relationship with Zara ended after five years.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline: ‘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 after a tough year of working hard on their romance, they have broken up and will focus on their individual careers in 2025.
Just two days before their split was confirmed, Zara left another funny comment on one of Sam’s posts.
“There has been no scandal or consequences between them, it is just the result of a difficult year, in which they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects.”
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.
Zara has been living in Sam’s house in west London for years and the couple share two cats, Albus and Cedric.
They have a close relationship with Sam’s sister Louise, who lives next door to her fiancé Ryan Libbey and their three-year-old son Leo.
Sam, who hosts the Staying Relevant podcast with his close friend Pete, features Zara in his online content, and the pair often team up in viral Instagram and TikTok videos.
MailOnline has contacted Zara and Sam’s representatives for comment.
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.
Sam spent the end of 2024 in Australia presenting I’m A Celeb spin-off Unpacked after winning the ITV show last year.
Zara became the first former Love Island contestant to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing last year.
They laughed off claims their romance was in trouble in June after they were pictured arguing following Sam’s appearance at Soccer Aid.
That same month, Sam was pictured being “comforted” by Pete at the TRIC Awards amid growing tensions between him and Zara.
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.
Meanwhile, Zara, who found fame on Love Island in 2018, achieved her dreams by becoming a documentary maker for the BBC, fronting shows that explored revenge porn, eating disorders and rape culture.
The TV star also launched her first clothing brand last year called Rise, which is available to buy at F&F in Tesco, and has successfully collaborated with beauty brands including L’Oréal and Rio de Janeiro.
Zara became the first former Love Island contestant to be cast on Strictly Come Dancing last year, where she performed with fired professional dancer Graziano Di Prima.
The Italian dancer was sacked from the BBC series following allegations over his conduct towards Zara, who spoke of her “distressing” time in the training room.
She said: “I have struggled with the fear of opening up, I was afraid of the public reaction, I was afraid of my future, I was afraid of shaming victims.”
The couple is close with Sam’s sister Louise and her fiancé Ryan, as well as former TOWIE star Pete.
“But after many conversations with loved ones, I have gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.”
Graziano’s dismissal followed the departure of fellow dancer Giovanni Pernice, who faced a BBC investigation over his treatment of actress Amanda Abbington, with a total of six of 16 allegations against the professional confirmed.
Zara returned to the Strictly studios this year to support her friend Pete, who reached the semi-final of the competition.
Sam and Zara began dating after he sent her a private message on Instagram in 2019, but they split the following year.
Their romance came to a brief end after Zara admitted to cheating on Sam during the early days of their relationship while appearing on Celebrity X Factor.
The radio host eventually forgave Zara during emotional scenes captured for Made In Chelsea, which the pair have since laughed at and even recreated.
Zara previously dated former Love Island contestant Adam Collard after they met on the show, while Sam enjoyed romances with his former Chelsea co-stars Sophie Habboo and Tiffany Watson.