Sam Thompson appears to be moving forward after his split from Zara McDermott – and he’s found a new spark with another reality TV star – none other than Love Island’s Samie Elishi. The Made In Chelsea favourite, 32, who was crowned King of the I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! jungle last year, has been exchanging flirty messages with the brunette beauty after they recently connected on Instagram.
Sam, 32, and Zara, 28, ended their five-year relationship back in December and insiders say Samie, 25, is now helping to lift Sam’s spirits. Samie first appeared on Love Island in 2023 and she also made an epic comeback to the All Stars series earlier this year.
A source revealed: “Sam found the split and its public fall-out very hard but Samie has put a smile back on his face. She is a stunning girl and he’s told a few pals about her. He seems excited. Obviously it’s early days, but clearly he has a thing for Love Islanders.”
While Samie has previously dated fellow Love Islander Tom Clare, Zara has moved on from Sam with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, 33. The unlikely pair have been dating for several weeks now with friends and family reportedly saying they can see the relationship going the whole way. Zara has reportedly already met Louis’ family and has been helping him grieve the death of his best friend Liam Payne since they have been together.
And even Sam’s friends are on board with Zara’s new relationship. His best friend, Pete Wicks, said he is “happy” for Sam’s ex and singer Louis‘ after they were spotted holding hands and kissing during a trip to LA earlier this month. Speaking on KISS Breakfast, where he and Olivia Attwood took over from Perri Kiely and Jordan Banjo for the week, Pete said: “I know them, I have a sight connection there and you know, I’m happy, I’m happy for them.”
“That’s amazing, I’ve seen the pictures they’re walking through a car park, really romantic… I’m really struggling not to say anything but it is good gossip. I might tell you some more off air.” Pete’s comments come after Zara and 1D singer Louis were spotted enjoying a sunny romantic trip to Los Angeles, with them sharing snaps on their social media from the same locations.
The pair spent a night together at a gig as they watched Stereophonics in a packed crowd – while skilfully keeping each other off their photos. Later in the week, Zara finally confirmed her relationship with Louis as she shared a snap of them enjoying breakfast together in Malibu as Louis’ arm featured in a snap in a move that has been branded a ‘soft launch’ of their romance.
The romance was fully sealed when Zara and Louis were pictured on another lunch date at Soho Beach House in Malibu. They walked hand in hand as they were full smiles while chatting away to each other – although a body language expert has claimed one might be more into the romance than the other.
Their romantic public display of affection comes just one month after they were seen on a cosy date for the first time at a hotel restaurant in Suffolk. Zara was previously in a relationship with Made In Chelsea star Sam – with who she split from in December. The couple were together for five years and Pete was jokingly considered their “third wheel”.
The TOWIE star featured on many of their TikTok skits and even joined them on may outings, date nights and more.
Sam has yet to comment on Zara and Louis’ new romance but previously shared a cryptic comment, saying: “People look for validation in others to fill that hole”, which is something he says he ‘can’t do’.
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