Zara McDermott has reportedly splashed the cash to purchase a brand new flat in West London, not far away from where she lived with ex-boyfriend Sam Thompson.

It comes as her new romance with Louis Tomlinson was confirmed on Monday after they were spotted on a romantic date at a H๏τel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

The Love Island star, 28, moved out of the lavish home she shared with Made In Chelsea star Sam 32, at the start of the year, following their shock split.

But it seems she hasn’t gone far with what could be her new love nest, as The Sun reports she has bought a new property nearby for a cool £500,000.

A source told the publication: ‘She bought it two weeks ago under her company name, it’s a two bed flat in a nice area and weirdly, not that far from where she lived with Sam.

‘It will make it really awkward when they cross paths at the local pub or in a coffee shop, though.’

MailOnline have contacted Zara’s representatives for comment.

Zara McDermott has reportedly splashed the cash to purchase a brand new flat in West London, not far away from where she lived with ex-boyfriend Sam Thompson 

The Love Island star, 28, moved out of the lavish home she shared with Made In Chelsea star Sam 32, at the start of the year, following their shock split (pictured together) 

It comes as her new romance with Louis Tomlinson was confirmed on Monday after they were spotted on a romantic date at a H๏τel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk

One Direction star Louis, 33, is said to have planned the date with Zara, which saw him take Zara to The Suffolk H๏τel in Aldeburgh.  

A fellow diner at the H๏τel spotted the pair enjoying a romantic meal and they can be seen beaming in pH๏τos obtained by The Sun.

The pair looked besotted as they giggled and held hands while enjoying fish and chips and cocktails – before apparently spending the night at the H๏τel.

The publication reported that the pair have been on a number of low key dates over the past few weeks and have been speaking for a while.

A source told the publication: ‘Louis whisked Zara away for a break in Suffolk and he absolutely charmed her, it’s clear he thinks she’s drop-ᴅᴇᴀᴅ gorgeous too.

‘Louis is a proper gentleman so this trip was something he planned and put on for Zara. He was really thoughtful and wanted to make it special.’

The source added that the pair are taking things slow and a similarity they share is how close they are with their families.

A guest at the restaurant said they saw the pair looking relaxed as they touched each others’ hands over the table.

It is not known if the pair were staying at The Suffolk H๏τel, where rooms cost upwards of £200-per-night.

MailOnline revealed Sam and Zara split in December after five years together, with the Strictly star revealing shortly after that she had moved out of their Chelsea home (pictured at home) 

The former couple had often give fans a glimpse in their home through their funny skits together and their joint home renovation page

Read More Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott romance confirmed as they are seen on romantic date

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Louis and Zara for comment.

Hardcore fans believe Zara met Louis through his sisters.

Zara and Louis’ date came just days after fans fuelled speculation that they were an item on Reddit, with some noticing that they follow each other on Instagram. He only follows 336 accounts and Zara is one of them.

And after their theories were confirmed to be true, their other other hypothesis could now hold some weight to it as users questioned the link between Zara and the One Direction hunk’s siblings.

At the time, fans claimed that as well as himself, Louis’s sisters, including make-up artists Lottie Tomlinson , and twins Daisy and Phoebe, follow Zara too.

While another theory is that the girls could be working on an undisclosed documentary with the Love Island star, which is a way Zara could have been been introduced to Louis.

One fan penned: ‘I’ve heard about the link with a documentary as well. Zara has been involved in a recent change in the law as it’s now illegal to threaten to share images without someone’s consent. I can see something like that appealing to Louis, even though it’s revenge porn that is the basis of Zara’s law change.’

Another said: ‘I also heard rumors that she’s part of the rumored series the twins are trying to get going, so fingers crossed it’s more about that.’

‘I think there is a documentary about the Tomlinson’s being produced since the sisters are interested in being England’s version of the Kardashians. Zara has worked on documentaries, maybe she is involved with that’, commented a third user.

Hardcore fans believe Zara met Louis through his sisters [Louis pictured with sisters Daisy and Phoebe in 2017]

While another theory is that the girls could be working on an undisclosed documentary with the Love Island star, which is a way Zara could have been been introduced to Louis 

A fourth said: ‘I think it’s more of a business thing than anything else (for the twins, they’re well into reality tv and Zara was on love island) so if it is a stunt it’d be quite ridiculous, especially since Louis openly criticises love island.’

With another adding: ‘His sisters have been following her for quite some time. If they are gonna stunt, we will know, because you know, the purpose of a stunt is to be visible and in your face. It is more likely that she is helping the twins with their Kardashians style show which has been in the talks for a while now.’

Zara has been making a name for herself as a documentary maker and has brought a range of thought-provoking and critically acclaimed documentaries to the BBC over the last few years.

Appearing to take a cryptic dig at Zara after the speed at which she has moved on post breakup, Sam recently made a comment that ‘people look for validation in others to fill that hole’, which is something he can’t do. 

Speaking with friend and Celebs Go Dating coach Paul Brunson on the latest episode of his podcast Staying Relevant, Paul asked Sam ‘What are you doing Sam to self-love?’

Getting candid Sam confessed he isn’t even thinking about dating again as he replied: ‘Not much to be honest with you.

‘I suppose a lot of people look for validation in other people right? And they look for the next person instantly because it’s like “I need to find someone else to fill that hole and I need to find that excitement.”

Sam then explained he wants to focus on prioritising his family and admitted he barely ever goes out.

Paul asked: ‘What are your values outside of creativity?’ as Sam replied: ‘I mean I love home, I am a real home body. I love my cats and being around my family and being in my home, I barely ever go out.’

Appearing to take a cryptic dig at Zara after the speed at which she has moved on post breakup, Sam recently made a comment that ‘people look for validation in others to fill that hole’, which is something he can’t do 

The ultra modern home boasted their very own opulent basement cinema, complete with a glamorous bar area (pictured) 

Paul added: ‘Spend time with your family, spend time creating. Tap into some of the things you loved as a boy. Tap into those and spend time doing those and that is going to increase the self esteem and self worth which is what you need right now.’

MailOnline revealed Sam and Zara split in December after five years together, with the Strictly star revealing shortly after that she had moved out of their Chelsea home.

In January, she shared a TikTok documenting her day filming for Morning Live, where she confirmed she was living somewhere new, with clips of her in bed and glimpses of her room while getting ready.

The luxury abode Sam and Zara shared is right next door to Sam’s sister and fellow Made In Chelsea star Louise Thompson.

The former couple had often give fans a glimpse in their home through their funny skits together and their joint home renovation page.

The ultra modern home boasted their very own opulent basement cinema, complete with a glamorous bar area.

Speaking about the home after their renovations in 2022, Sam described the building work as his ‘biggest stress’ but gushed that he ‘loved’ the house.

He told The Sun: ‘Genuinely, I walk around the gaff and I have impostor syndrome, like, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I live here”.

‘I feel this is a home I can live in, I can maybe bring up kids one day. I feel very proud of it,’ he added.

While earlier this month, Zara set tongues wagging with Lucien Laviscount after they were spotted getting cosy at the BRIT Awards (pictured at the BRITs)

Earlier this month, Zara set tongues wagging with Lucien Laviscount after they were spotted getting cosy at the BRIT Awards.

The newly single star was seated next to the Emily in Paris heartthrob, 32, for the entire ceremony and lapped up the attention she received from him.

An insider said: ‘Lucien was making his move. He was chatting her up all night, whispering in her ear and dancing with her.

‘He seemed really smitten. Zara clearly enjoyed his company as she couldn’t stop smiling and laughing.’

Awkwardly ex Sam was seated just a few tables away from the Love Island beauty, as she dazzled in a stunning white gown with feather detailing which boasted a daring thigh high split.

He was joined on the Hits radio exclusive table with his best pal Pete, former Love Islander Olivia Attwood, and actress Gemma Atkinson.