Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott are reportedly dating after they were spotted enjoying a romantic meal together in Suffolk.

The One Direction star, 33, and Love Island contestant are said to have been on a a number of low key dates over the past few weeks and were pictured smiling whilst eating at a H๏τel

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.

Zara’s ex partner Sam Thompson appears to have taken a cryptic dig at Zara, 28, after the speed at which she has moved on post breakup with the former couple deleting their joint Instagram account dedicated to their home renovations. 

Follow live updates on Louis and Zara’s romance below

11:29

Who has Louis dated in the past?

Louis was last linked to longtime girlfriend Eleanor Calder.

The singer was said to have called time on his five-year relationship with Eleanor after distance ‘put pressure’ on their romance in January 2023.

After he enjoyed a brief romance with Danish model Sofie Nyvang, Louis was said to have been ‘drawn back’ to his ex by January 2024.

Eleanor and Louis endured an on/off relationship from the early stages of his career in 2011, and announced a temporary split in March 2015 only to rekindle things two years later.

During the couple’s split, the Miss You hitmaker became a father to son Freddie Reign, seven, after a brief fling with stylist Briana Jungwirth.

Louis introduced son Freddie to fans on Instagram shortly after his birth, but has kept him out of the spotlight in recent times, while Briana has shared glimpses of him on Instagram.

Eleanor and Louis reunited in January 2017, shortly after the tragic death of his mother Johannah Deakin aged 43.

Back in 2020, the singer even spoke of his plans to marry the model after previously ‘f***ing things up’.

Addressing engagement rumours at the time, he said: ‘Yeah I saw some of that [engagement rumours]. It isn’t true, but the luxury with Eleanor is I’ve known her since before our first single What Makes You Beautiful, so she’s felt the whole growth of everything.’

Quizzed about marriage he added: ‘One day, yeah, I’d imagine so. If you’re asking me if I’m going to marry her? Yes, I think so! And more kids, I’d say so.’

11:13

Zara’s 2019 cheating scandal

As Zara moves on with a 1D star, insiders have revealed that Sam always struggled to get past his ex’s affair.

Zara’s fling witha music executive came to light 16 months after she started dating Sam, with the scandal playing out in the public eye as the split and their subsequent reunion was documented on Made In Chelsea.

The 2019 fling with music boss Brahim Fouradi – who had previously worked for Simon Cowell as an artists and repertoire (A&R) director for Syco – happened when Zara was appearing on another TV show, X Factor, coincidentally the show whick kicked off Louis’ career.

Zara was appearing on the Celebrity X Factor as part of a group comprised of ex-Love Island contestants on the one-off ITV series, eventually won by former TOWIE star Megan McKenna.

Sam, 32, initially ended his relationship with Zara in the wake of her affair in September 2019 and the subsequent series of Made In Chelsea documented the aftermath as they eventually reconciled.

The repercussions of the affair continued for years though with sources close to the couple telling MailOnline at the time of their January split that Sam’s family never quite forgave Zara, despite their attempts to welcome her back into the fold.

Sam’s protective sister Louise, 34, was the most vocal in her disapproval of Zara and questioned her brother on why he took her back, but agreed, for his sake, to give her a second chance.

But the couple’s relationship failed to go the distance – and they officially cut ties in January just over five years on from her affair.

10:39

What are Louis’ thoughts on Love Island?

Back in 2017, Louis admitted that he did watch Love Island while speaking on Kiss FM.

Admitting that he was rooting for Camilla Thurlow, he said: ‘I think Camilla is a sweet girl, I think she deserves a break, so, I would like to see her win.’

However, by 2019 Louis had changed his tune and made disparaging remarks not just about the show but the contestants as well, saying: ‘I’ve got no time for Love Island, I absolutely despise that show.

‘Do you know what’s bad? What’s bad is one year, one year I got pulled in – this is my excuse anyway -I got pulled in to watch it, maybe I put a few tweets out about it…

‘Honestly it’s a tragic show. I’ve got no time for it or anyone on it.’

10:21

What do One Direction fans think?

Fans of Louis Tomlinson were left in shock when his relationship with Zara was confirmed on Tuesday.

Admitting it ‘was not on my 2025 bingo card,’ One Direction fans claimed the news was a huge ‘plot twist’ and shared their thoughts on X.

10:16

Has Zara’s ex Sam Thompson responded?

Sam Thompson broke his silence as he revealed what he thinks amid the news his ex Zara has officially moved on with Louis.

Appearing to take a cryptic dig at Zara after the speed at which she has moved on post breakup, he 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 Thompson breaks his silence on ex Zara McDermottSam Thompson broke his silence as he revealed what he thinks amid the news his ex Zara McDermott has officially moved on with Louis Tomlinson. Mail Online

10:14

Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott confirm romance with romantic date

Louis Tomlinson was spotted enjoying a romantic meal with Zara McDermott just days after fans speculated the pair were dating.

The One Direction star, 33, is said to have planned the date, which saw him take Zara, 28, 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.

Louis Tomlinson is seen enjoying a romantic meal with Zara McDermottThe One Direction star, 33, is said to have planned the date, which saw him take Zara, 28, to a H๏τel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.Mail Online