REALITY BITES
How reality TV caused cracks in Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott’s doomed romance from cheating scandal to fake tears
Zara cheated on Sam while taking part in The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019
SAM Thompson and Zara McDermott's split was announced on New Year's Day.
A source close to the celebrity couple confirmed the decision was 'incredibly difficult' saying: "They still care and have a lot of love for each other."
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However, many of the reality TV stars' fans believe the signs of their doomed five-year relationship were becoming increasingly clear to see.
Cracks began to show soon after the pair first got together in 2019, the same year Zara admitted she had cheated on the Made in Chelsea star.
Addressing her infidelity in an Instagram post, she said at the time: "A huge mistake I made a year ago has recently come to light and I want to face this head on."
"I don't condone being unfaithful and I made a huge mistake at a time in my life where I was hugely selfish and immature."
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The 28-year-old former Love Island star's fling was with music boss Brahim Fouradi, who had previously worked for Simon Cowell as an A&R director for Syco.
Zara met him during her time on X Factor, with her split with Sam and subsequent reuinion documented on the Made In Chelsea in 2020.
During her appearance on the show Zara was accused by fans of shedding 'fake tears' following her emotional apology to Sam.
She admitted she slept with music boss Brahim Fouradi while she was filming the ITV show in 2019, leaving Sam heartbroken by her tearful admission.
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In the hotly-debated scenes, Zara was seen pleading with Sam, saying: "I have no justification for anything, the way that I've behaved, the way that I've acted, the things that I've done. It's just disgusting. I just want you to forgive me."
In November of that year it seemed like Sam truly had, as the couple got back together to give their relationship another try.
He was quoted as telling the MailOnline at the time: "I believe in forgiveness. I understand the context – and I think in any walk of life you can't move forward unless you forgive."
"Forgiveness allows you to heal. You can only heal when you forgive the other person and get over that."
In 2023 Zara appeared on Strictly, partnering with Graziano Di Prima and many were left wondering whether the couple would fall pray to the 'Strictly curse.'
While they survived the show, speculation about their relationship has always been rife.
Sam was previously quoted as saying that appearing on TV had taken a toll on their relationship in the past: "We're not on a TV show now where people are digging around and trying to figure things out that aren't there."
Sources close to the couple, however, said their relationship never fully recovered from her infidelity.
Insiders have insisted his family - especially sister Louise, 34 - struggled to forgive Zara for her affair.
A source 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."
The pair spent Christmas apart prior to the news of their split, with Sam volunteering for a charity while Zara spent time with her family in Essex.
New Year's Eve was also spent separately, with Sam partying with pals at London's Kensington Roof Gardens while Zara was at home with her cats.
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The next day their split was confirmed by a source close to the pair who told MailOnline: "Sam and Zara have ended their relationship."
"After a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025."
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