Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott have officially called it quits after a five-year relationship, with news of their split breaking this week. The breakup follows years of ups and downs, including a major setback when Zara became involved in a cheating scandal five years ago. While competing on The X Factor, Zara had an affair with music executive Brahim Fouradi, which led to a brief breakup with Sam. However, they reconciled, and their relationship was later featured on Made In Chelsea in the season following their reunion.
Brahim Fouradi, who worked as an A&R director for Syco Entertainment and was involved in The X Factor, has since relocated to Holland to continue his career. Despite the affair and temporary separation, Sam and Zara managed to rebuild their relationship, though the effects of the incident lingered, especially with Sam’s family. His sister, Louise, was particularly vocal about her disapproval of Zara, questioning Sam’s decision to take her back, though she eventually came around.
Although they tried to make their relationship work, sources close to the couple revealed that their bond never fully recovered from the infidelity. The couple grew apart, and a friend of theirs explained that they were simply “delaying the inevitable.” Zara publicly apologized for the affair in 2022, acknowledging the pain she caused Sam and taking full responsibility. However, Sam’s family never fully accepted her back, which put additional strain on their relationship.
During their on-and-off relationship, both Sam and Zara achieved notable career milestones. Sam won I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2023, and Zara made history as the first Love Island star to join Strictly Come Dancing, although her experience was marred by challenges with her partner’s removal from the show. Despite these personal struggles, their professional successes seemed to strengthen their bond.
However, the couple ultimately drifted apart, spending the holidays separately. Sam rang in the new year with friends at a London party, while Zara stayed home. A source close to them confirmed that their breakup wasn’t caused by any scandal but was rather the result of a challenging year in which both focused on their individual careers.
As they move forward separately, Sam and Zara are both focused on their professional paths in 2025, embarking on new chapters in their careers following their split.
