Zara McDermott and her boyfriend Sam Thompson are giving their relationship ‘one last shot’ following weeks of ‘crisis talks’, according to new reports.
The couple, who have been together for four years, sparked rumours they had split in recent weeks after a blazing row.
During their ‘rocky’ patch, Zara’s Strictly pro partner Graziano Di Prima admitted to kicking her in rehearsals last year in an apology statement, after he was sacked from the BBC show over her claims.
While the shocking details over her Strictly experience emerged, Zara, 27, was seemingly battling to save her long-term relationship with Sam, 31, behind closed doors at the same time.
It’s been reported there’s been ‘a lot of tears’ and ‘strain on their relationship’ due to the allegations surrounding Graziano, but the couple are said to be sticking by each other and doing everything to make it work.
Zara McDermott, 27, and her boyfriend Sam Thompson, 31, are giving their relationship ‘one last shot’ following weeks of ‘crisis talks’, according to new reports
During their ‘rocky’ patch, Zara’s Strictly partner Graziano Di Prima admitted to kicking her in rehearsals last year, after he was sacked from the BBC show over her claims
A source told OK magazine: ‘Things have been very up and down for Zara and Sam over the past few months and there have been points that they’ve thought about ending it.
‘Ultimately that [Graziano scandal] put extra stress and pressure on her and Sam as they were both dealing with a lot. She feels her Strictly experience has been tarnished. There have been a lot of tears.
‘But they both have a lot of love for each other and are determined to try to give it one more go. They know what they have together and don’t want to have any regrets. They are determined to fight to stay together.’
MailOnline have contacted Zara and Sam’s representatives for a comment.
It comes after Sam gushed over Zara after spotting stunning snaps of her in a beauty advert plastered on the wall of a tube station.
The former Made In Chelsea star took to social media to share his pride as he came across Zara’s campaign for LookFantastic in the London Underground.
‘Just on the tube and eh…look! Look at that, look at that,’ Sam told his followers in a video, as he turned the camera to show the model shots of Zara. Turning to another commuter on the platform, Sam proudly confirmed: ‘Sorry that’s my girl, that’s my Mrs, that’s my girlfriend.’
Sam’s display of support for Zara comes after rumours the pair had split circulated when he was spotted being comforted by best friend Pete Wicks.
The couple, who have been together for four years, sparked rumours they had split in recent weeks after a blazing row
While the shocking details over her Strictly experience emerged, Zara was seemingly battling to save her long-term relationship with Sam behind closed doors at the same time
It’s been reported there’s been ‘a lot of tears’ and ‘strain on their relationship’ due to the allegations surrounding Graziano, but the couple are said to be sticking by each other and doing everything to make it work
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Sam filmed himself inside a tube station after finding the campaign shots of Zara.
He captioned the video: ‘So proud of you goose. Explaining the the dude I know her and I’m not weird [laughing emoji].’
Earlier this week the pro dancer, who has now moved back to his native country in Italy following his sacking, admitted to kicking Zara in a public statement.
Mark Borkowski, a spokesperson for Graziano, told BBC News: ‘There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.’
Referring to the media reports, Mark added: ‘But he doesn’t recognise some of the issues surrounding it. The descriptions of what is being commented online, and how he remembers it, are not aligned.’
He continued: ‘He [Graziano] has literally cut himself off from civilisation. I think that’s a wise thing to do, supported by his wife. He’s coming to terms with his mental health issues.’
Graziano, who believed the matter had been resolved at the time, was sacked from the show after a video of the idea was brought to the attention of the BBC last week.
Addressing his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
Earlier this week the pro dancer, who has now moved back to his native country in Italy following his sacking, admitted to kicking Zara in a public statement
Graziano, who believed the matter had been resolved at the time, was sacked from the show after a video of the idea was brought to the attention of the BBC last week (Zara pictured passed out on the floor in rehearsals)
‘Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.’
He continued: ‘While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.’
He concluded the post: ‘I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.’
Zara has since been seen with only three toenails left, her feet ‘bleeding’ and ‘passed out’ on the floor as images of her in training have come to light once more.
Zara broke her silence on Tuesday, admitting she was scared to come forward and report Graziano over fears for her ‘future’.
Also writing on Instagram, she said: ‘I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports. Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.
‘When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it. I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.
‘And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to work with
‘However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.’
Zara broke her silence on Tuesday, admitting she was scared to come forward and report Graziano over fears for her ‘future’
Zara explained that she didn’t report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash.
Zara continued in her statement: ‘I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming.
‘But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.
‘I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.
‘The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up especially in a a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I’ve seen through working with countless women on my documentaries.
‘I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as wel as everyone who has reached out to me – it really truly means a lot. Love, always. Zara.’