Zara McDermott has well and truly moved on from her five year romance with Sam Thompson, enjoying a romantic date with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson this week.

But the surprise new romance comes H๏τ on the heels of the Love Island star’s January break-up from Sam, who only this week admitted he doesn’t feel ready to date again.

The hurt Made In Chelsea star has even made a cryptic dig at the speed at which is ex has moved on, musing on the latest episode of his podcast that ‘a lot of people look for validation in other people 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.”

‘You know when you get that excited feeling when you are talking to someone new and fresh. I can’t do that.’ 

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 with a 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.

Zara McDermott has moved on from Sam Thompson, enjoying a romantic date with Louis Tomlinson. But the romance comes H๏τ on the heels of the Love Island star’s January break up 

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

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 which 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.

The news came as no surprise to sources close to the reality stars who believed they did well to last as long as they had following Zara’s infidelity.

A friend told MailOnline: ‘Zara and Sam’s relationship just never felt like it was heading for the long haul.

The 2019 fling with music boss Brahim Fouradi happened when Zara was appearing on Celebrity X Factor (pictured on the show)

Fouradi had previously worked for Simon Cowell as an artists and repertoire (A&R) director for Syco

‘They never really recovered from Zara’s cheating, most couples would have struggled lasting for as long as they did afterwards.

‘Zara had some big making up to do, especially with Louise, [who] really wasn’t happy when Sam took her back.

‘But she managed to make it work and they had some great times together again, but it just felt like it was never going to be truly serious.

‘They were delaying the inevitable for several months as they had drifted apart and their lives had become very different.’

Read More Louis Tomlinson reveals his REAL feelings about Zara McDermott amid dating rumours

Speaking to Jamie Laing about her infidelity while appearing on Made In Chelsea in October 2022, Zara said: ‘When it happened I genuinely thought that me and Sam were going to break up, inevitably. I just thought we were hanging on by a tiny thread and we’re going to break up.’

Weeks earlier, Zara issued a grovelling apology once her affair came to light nearly a year after she appeared on the show.

Taking to Instagram Stories, she wrote: ‘A huge mistake I made a year ago has recently come to light and I want to face this head on. I don’t condone being unfaithful and I made a huge mistake at a time in my life where I was hugely selfish and immature.

She continued: ‘I believe I have learnt so much from my mistake. I want to apologise to my Sam for everything I have put him through, for the pain, the embarrᴀssment, the anger and the hurt. All I want to do is make this right and I think the least he deserves is me being honest with myself and all of you. I love you Sam. Forever x’.’

Zara’s fling played out in the public eye as the split and their subsequent reunion was documented on Made In Chelsea

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 

Zara and the One Direction star were spotted enjoying a romantic dinner together at a H๏τel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk following romance rumours which had been surrounding the pair

In November 2020, Sam took Zara back following her heartfelt apologies and in January 2021, the newly back-together couple defied coronavirus rules by flying off to the Maldives and later moved in together at Sam’s Chelsea home.

Sam has previously explained why he took her back, stating: ‘I believe in forgiveness. I understand the context – and I think in any walk of life you can’t move forward unless you forgive.

‘Forgiveness allows you to heal. You can only heal when you forgive the other person and get over that.’

He added: ‘I would definitely say no matter what you should always try to forgive and you’ll feel better in yourself – it’s f***ing easier said than done but you’ve got to strive for that.

‘The people I care about caring about me will know we’re all human. We are all human and you can’t grow and evolve and be a better person without making mistakes along the way.

‘For that to be shown on TV, it almost humanises you and makes you more relatable.’