Sam Thompson appeared to be putting on a brave face as he was seen for the first time since his ex Zara McDermott went official with Louis Tomlinson. 

The One Direction star, 33, and Love Island star, 28, finally went public with their new romance on Tuesday, with the pair spotted on a lunch date at Soho Beach House in Malibu.

Louis and Zara shocked fans last month when news emerged the unlikely pair had started dating following her split from Sam in December after five years together.

And the former Made In Chelsea star was trying his best to smile despite the recent events as he climbed into a taxi in south London. 

Keeping it casual the star opted for khaki trousers and an open necked black top, before completing the stylish look with a pair of shades. 

Sam’s appearance came just hours after his best friend Pete Wicks broke his silence on Zara and Louis’ relationship during his KISS Breakfast radio show.

Sam Thompson put on a brave face as he was seen for the first time on Thursday since his ex Zara McDermott went official with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson earlier this week

The One Direction star, 33, and Love Island star, 28, finally went public with their new romance on Tuesday, with the pair spotted on a lunch date at Soho Beach House in Malibu 

Pete shared what he really thinks of her new relationship as he admitted he is ‘really struggling not saying anything’.

Speaking to co-host Olivia Attwood, the Strictly star said: ‘I know them, I have a slight 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.’

The loved-up snaps of Zara and Louis no doubt came as a blow to her ex Sam, whom she split from on New Years Day after a five-year romance.  

Yet the new couple didn’t appear to have a care in the world as they made the most of the Los Angeles sunshine. 

Louis, who divides his time between the UK and the States – where his son Freddy resides – beamed broadly as he cosied up to Zara. 

Zara, who has rebranded as a documentary maker after finding fame on reality TV, looked in good spirits as she stepped out in an ab-flashing crop top and grey jogging bottoms. 

And the former Made In Chelsea star was trying his best to smile despite the recent events as he climbed into a taxi in South London

Louis and Zara shocked fans last month when news emerged the unlikely pair had started dating following her split from Sam in December after five years together

Keeping it casual the star opted for khaki trousers and an open necked black top, before completing the stylish look with a pair of shades

Sam’s appearance came just hours after his best friend Pete Wicks broke his silence on Zara and Louis’ relationship during his KISS Breakfast radio show 

Pete shared what he really thinks of her new relationship as he admitted he is ‘really struggling not saying anything’ 

He said: ‘I know them, I have a slight connection there and you know, I’m happy for them. That’s amazing, I’ve seen the pictures they’re walking through a car park, really romantic…’

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE How Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott REALLY feel about each other is revealed

She completed her look with a black bomber jacket and thick-rimmed spectacles.  

Louis also opted for a casual ensemble, pairing a black hoodie with tracksuit bottoms. 

Hours after their cosy outing, Zara’s ex Sam broke his social media silence.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, teased on Instagram a looming Guinness World Record Challenge that he could be undergoing.

Despite Zara and Louis’ PDA outing, Sam appeared in great spirits in the grinning snap with his Guinness World Record judge.

He captioned his post: ‘We’re back baby! [laughing face emoji] @joannebrentofficial @guinnessworldrecords’

The pair first sparked romance rumours in March when a fellow diner at The Suffolk in Aldeburgh spotted the couple on a date.

The pair then inadvertently revealed they had travelled to the States together when Louis and Zara both took to their social media while watching Stereophonics at The Wiltern theatre in LA .

The new couple shared videos from the same area in the theatre just minutes apart, with Zara tagging the venue and band.

Earlier in the day, the documentary maker revealed she was in Los Angeles as she snapped a picture of the famous Crumbl cookies as she picked up the special Kardashian, Jenner addition box.

Their relationship already appears to be getting off to a strong start as the singer has reportedly introduced the stunner to his family after enjoying a handful of dates together.

A friend claimed that ‘wholesome and health-conscious’ Zara had left the family pleased Louis had found a girl who wasn’t into partying. 

After keeping their relationship under wraps for weeks they have now gone public, with the pair holding hands on their way to a lunch date at Soho Beach House in Malibu on Tuesday

Pete and Zara seemed close friends while she was dating Sam and the trio often made hilarious TikTok videos together 

Hours after their cosy outing, Zara’s ex Sam broke his social media silence 

Louis’ last known romantic dalliance was with model Sofie Nyvang after the pair were spotted holding hands in February 2023.

He shares son Freddie, eight, with ex Briana Jungwirth.  

Zara has already got the seal of approval from Louis’ twin sisters Phoebe and Daisy, plus influencer sister Lottie, who all follow the documentary-maker on Instagram, and she’s excited about what the future holds for the pair. 

Meanwhile, friends of Zara told MailOnline she’s relieved the relationship is now out in the open after dating in secret weeks.

Her relationship with the famous singer was first detected by sleuth-like One Direction fans who noticed Louis had followed Zara on Instagram and liked a string of her pictures.

According to Zara’s friends, Louis has put ‘a smile back on her face’ following her split from Sam on New Year’s Day.

She called it quits with the I’m A Celebrity winner after five years of dating.

Zara isn’t the only one to have moved on, with MailOnline recently revealing that Sam has ‘grown close’ to a stunning Netflix star as he bids to move on from their relationship.

MailOnline revealed the Made In Chelsea star, 32, was spotted with Lucy Syed, 28, at new Chelsea nightclub The Rex Rooms last month and according to sources, they have spent time together on more than one occasion.

Pals close to Sam insisted he is not dating ʙικιɴι model Lucy, who starred on the latest series of Too H๏τ to Handle but claim they have enjoyed each other’s company.

Sam, who presents podcast Staying Relevant with friend Pete Wicks, 37, first connected with Lucy on Instagram and has since liked her glamorous pictures.

A source told MailOnline the attraction between Sam, who recently signed up to celebrity dating app Raya, and Lucy was ‘instant’ and friends are happy the London-born influencer was able to put a smile back on the TV star’s face.

A friend said: ‘Sam and Lucy were sharing direct messages over Instagram before they decided to meet up at a pub and then continue their night at The Rex Rooms.

Zara has already got the seal of approval from Louis’ twin sisters Phoebe and Daisy (pictured), plus influencer sister Lottie, who all follow the documentary-maker on Instagram

Zara isn’t the only one to have moved on, with MailOnline recently revealing that Sam has ‘grown close’ to stunning Netflix star Lucy Syed as he bids to move on from their relationship 

‘They looked really close in the club, chatting and cuddling up together.

‘But their closeness continued after they spent the night partying together and the pair’s connection has certainly put a smile back on Sam’s face.

‘Sam is enjoying being single again and dipping his toe back into the dating pool.’

After working for the Department for Education as a policy advisor, Zara found fame when she appeared on the fourth series of Love Island in 2018. 

She subsequently appeared on The X Factor: Celebrity and Made in Chelsea. 

In recent years she has worked on filming documentaries for BBC, including one focusing on the revenge porn ordeal she faced as a teenager. 

She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023.  

Meanwhile, Louis found fame when he appeared on The X Factor in 2010 – being placed into chart-topping band One Direction. 

After the group split in 2016 he focused on his solo career and served as a judge on the ITV talent show that made his name.