Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split after spending Christmas and New Year apart

The Made in Chelsea and Strictly stars have split after five years together, it has been reported

Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott have split after five years together, it has been reported.

Over the half a decade together, the couple built home together next door to Sam's sister Louise and her fiance Ryan Libbey. They also share two cats together - their beloved Albus and Cedric.

It comes after the couple spent Christmas and New Year separately. I'm A Celebrity winner Sam, 32, rang in the new year by partying at London's Kensington Roof Gardens with former Made in Chelsea co-stars Reza Amiri-Garroussi and Josh Patterson. Meanwhile Zara had stayed at home with their cats.

A week earlier, Sam had been handing out presents and volunteering for a charity on Christmas Day, while Zara spent the time in Upminster, Essex, with her family. The couple had also spent time away from one another while Sam worked on I'm A Celebrity spin-off show Unpacked in Australia. Zara was unable to travel over due to work commitments while she was filming a BBC documentary.

A source told the MailOnline: "Sam and Zara have ended their relationship. It's been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways, they still care and have a lot of love for each other."

They continued to say that they had worked hard on their romance but that spending time away from one another had made it difficult and they're keen to spend time on their individual careers moving forward.

The Mirror has reached out to the couple's reps for comment.

Neither Sam nor Zara have yet spoken out about the claims, but the former Made in Chelsea star took to his Instagram Stories during a morning walk to share his excitement over 2025. "New year! 2025 baby come on let's have it! I can't wait. The New year is going to be amazing and you're going to have the best year ever. And you know I'm always right," said Sam before appearing to kiss his camera.

It comes after rumours circulated earlier in the summer suggesting a possible split between Sam and Zara. Reports claimed they had a major argument, with Zara reportedly leaving their London home and staying at her family's place.

In June, a photo showed Zara appearing to shout at Sam in public after he represented England on the pitch for Soccer Aid 2024. In the images of the seemingly tense pair conversing in public, Zara could be seen animated as she wagged her finger at her beau following the star-studded afterparty. The pair appeared to be locked in conversation as they carried out their animated chat while waiting for their taxi to arrive.

Zara set the record straight regarding the 'argument' amid rumours of trouble in their relationship. "Why did this make me laugh so much btw," she wrote asshe captioned the snap. "'Stop saying you should have scored!!!! You did your best and that's all that matters!!!! You need to stop doubting yourself!!! It looks like we are having an argument but I'm actually telling him positive affirmations in a very passionate manner! [laughing-face emojis]."

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