Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott have officially ended their five-year relationship, sources have revealed.
The pair, who began dating in 2019 after Zara, 28, reached out to Sam, 32, on social media, had overcome significant challenges in their relationship, including Zara’s admission of infidelity that year. Despite a brief split, they reconciled in 2020 and had been together ever since.
According to an insider, the couple’s decision to part ways was mutual and stemmed from the challenges of balancing their busy careers and personal lives.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways. They still care and have a lot of love for each other,” the source told Mail Online. “There has been no scandal or fallout, just a tough year where they had to focus on their individual projects.”
The split comes after the couple spent both Christmas and New Year’s apart. Sam celebrated New Year’s Eve with friends, including former Made in Chelsea co-stars Reza Amiri-Garroussi and Josh Patterson, at London’s Kensington Roof Gardens, while Zara stayed home with her cats.
Over Christmas, Sam volunteered for charity, while Zara spent the holiday with family in Essex.
The couple had also been separated earlier in the year when Sam filmed I’m A Celebrity Unpacked in Australia, while Zara remained in the UK.
Just weeks before their split, the couple had celebrated Zara’s birthday, with Sam sharing a heartfelt post on social media, calling her his “soulmate” and “best friend.” The pair had been living together in Sam’s West London home for several years.
Sam, who won the 2023 season of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, is now focusing on his career, while Zara, a former Love Island contestant, is also prioritizing her professional endeavors as they move forward separately into 2025.
