Zara McDermott breaks down in revenge porn documentary as she recalls ‘wanting to die’ after nude picture leak online

Zara McDermott broke down in tears during her new BBC documentary as she recalled wanting ‘to die’ after discovering nude photos of her were posted online.

In the one-off special titled Zara McDermott: Revenge Porn, the reality star explained that she found out about the leaked photos the day after she left the Love Island villa in 2018.

Speaking in the programme, Zara sobbed as she relived the moment she was told about the snaps, which she believed were leaked by an ex-boyfriend.

‘The night I left the villa, I was obviously feeling super emotional,’ she began.

‘I woke up the following morning by a knock at the door and it was the press officer. “Someone has shared some images of you and they’ve been circulating pretty much worldwide since you’ve been in the villa”.

‘I can’t even tell you that feeling, to feel like your parents are ashamed of you.’

‘It was so embarrassing,’ Zara sobbed. ‘I just wanted to die.’

The 21-year-old, who went on to date Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson, said she was reserved when then pair first met as she was worried that he had already seen the pictures of her – which he had.

Zara also admitted that she still panics when she walks into a room with new people, fearing that they may have seen her nude snaps.

Speaking to Sam in the documentary, Zara said: ‘When I went on our date and when we first started speaking I was quite reserved.’

To which Sam replied: ‘Your arms crossed, you didn’t want to speak.’

Sam later added: ‘I’d already seen the photos without knowing it was Zara. It surfaced on a WhatsApp group that I was on.

‘I didn’t know it was her until she mentioned it. I was like “Oh god, I’ve seen that.”‘

While cases of revenge porn reported to the police have doubled in the past four years, only 7% have resulted in a charge, according to the BBC.

Zara first rose to fame on Love Island 2018, which she appeared on alongside eventual winners Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham.

She later appeared on X Factor: Celebrity, alongside fellow islanders Eyal Booker, Wes Nelson, and Samira Mighty.

Zara McDermott: Revenge Porn is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Rick and Morty creator refuses to follow South Park’s lead over coronavirus pandemic

MORE : Billie Eilish does downtime right as she enjoys beach walk with dog Shark ahead of documentary release