Entertainment
When was Strictly’s Zara McDermott on Love Island and who did she couple up with?-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro
Zara is hoping to impress the judges in Strictly 2023
Zara McDermott first hit our screens in another reality TV show (Picture: ITV2)
Former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott is set to strap on her dancing shoes as she appears on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The reality TV star, 26, has reportedly had the professional dancers battling to be paired up with her for the chance to snatch the Glitterball trophy.
She has become the first Love Island contestant to appear on the dancing show, and she’s sure to be hoping to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Shirley Ballas.
It’s a far cry from her time in the famous Villa, which saw her receive online abuse from fans of the hit ITV show despite her short stint.
But when did Zara McDermott appear in Love Island, and who did she crack on with? Here’s what you need to know before she hits the dancefloor on Strictly.
When was Zara McDermott on Love Island?
Zara first hit our TV screens in 2018 as a contestant on the fourth series of Love Island.
Zara coupled up with Adam Collard in the villa (Picture: Capturise/REX/Shutterstock)
She entered the villa as a bombshell on Day 15 of the series, setting her sights on Adam Collard whom she coupled up with just five days later.
Snatching the heartthrob from his partner Rosie Williams promoted tears and a fiery confrontation in the Villa and painted her as the villain of the series.
During her time on the show, she was not only vilified by fans but intimate photos of the star were leaked via WhatsApp.
She only lasted 10 days on the show, but she went on to release her first documentary in 2020 titled Zara McDermott: Revenge Porn which recalled an incident in which nude photos of her were leaked at age 14.
Zara bravely opened up on her experience with revenge porn in her own documentary (Picture: PA)
Zara has also fronted documentaries such as Zara McDermott: Uncovering Rape Culture, Zara McDermott: Disordered Eating, and Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge.
Appearing on Strictly won’t be Zara’s first taste of a reality TV competition after she appeared on The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019 as part of No Love Lost, a group that featured fellow Love Islanders Eyal Booker, Samira Mighty, and Wes Nelson.
What happened to Adam Collard and Zara McDermott?
Her relationship with Adam did not last with the pair splitting eight months after they left the villa.
Zara and Adam split after eight months together (Picture: Brett D. Cove/SplashNews.com)
Announcing their break up in a statement, Zara said: ‘I am heartbroken to announce that Adam and I have parted ways. I love him very much and will always have a special place in my heart for him and our time spent together.
‘I have tried so hard to be the best person I can possibly be and to make it work. Sometimes in life, you just aren’t enough for someone; no matter what you do for them or how much you try to be.’
In 2019, Zara coupled up with Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson and the couple have been inseparable since, regularly sharing adorable updates on social media of their jetsetting.
She posted a touching tribute to her boyfriend on social media to celebrate his birthday, sharing a photo of the two cuddled up and beaming for the camera.
She wrote: ‘❤️HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMMY❤️ You have taught me not to take life too seriously. You have taught me that laughter is the best medicine, always. You seriously are one in a million in every single way. I really don’t know what I’d do without you… I absolutely adore you beyond words. Love you endlessly 💕✨🤍 (swipe for my favourite video ever 😂).’
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