Love Island All Stars have refused to sign Zara McDermott onto the upcoming series because of ITV's strong connections with Sam Thompson.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, and the influencer, 28, who began dating in 2019, were revealed to have split on Wednesday after spending Christmas and New Year's Eve separately, with a source exclusively telling MailOnline the news.
According to new reports, ITV doesn't want to risk upsetting Sam by letting his former girlfriend appear in the second series so soon after their split.
A source told The Sun: 'A gorgeous former Islander like Zara suddenly becoming single just before All Stars would have usually had bookers running straight to the phone.
'But that move was immediately ruled out because of Sam's connections at ITV. After winning I'm A Celebrity in 2023 he's become part of the presenting stable across This Morning and on the jungle spin-off show.
'So there's just no chance the bosses would want to upset him by signing her, should Zara spill any beans on their break-up.'
Love Island All Stars have refused to sign Zara McDermott, 28, onto the upcoming series because of ITV's strong connections with Sam Thompson, 32
The former Made In Chelsea star and the influencer, who began dating in 2019, were revealed to have split on Wednesday after spending Christmas and New Year's Eve separately
ITV doesn't want to risk upsetting Sam by letting his former girlfriend appear in the second series so soon after their split (Zara pictured on Love Island in 2018)
MailOnline have contacted Zara and Sam representatives for a comment.
Ahead of the new series, an ITV spokeswoman said: 'Any names suggested are speculation until our line-up is officially announced.'
The news comes as Sam complimented Jowita Przystał's 'unbelievable' abdominals after she 'whacked off her top' in front of him.
The star released his first Staying Relevant podcast on Thursday following the news he has split from Zara.
During the podcast, Sam and his co-host Pete Wicks jokingly handed out their 'Staying Relevant Awards' including 'Most Likely To Get Fired' and 'Biggest Failure' among their team.
One of their awards was for 'Best Team Member' which Pete gave to his Strictly Come Dancing professional partner Jowita who appeared on the podcast while Sam was in Australia
He said: 'Best new team member is up next, I think it's obvious. It's someone who helped us out while Sam was away, we all love her.
'Some have said she's a good replacement and potentially better. She's part of one of 2024s most defining partnerships in TV land and she's become a sensational part of this team. The winner is Jowita.'
The news comes as Sam complimented Jowita Przystał's 'unbelievable' abdominals after she 'whacked off her top' in front of him
The couple were last seen together celebrating Zara's birthday in December, where Sam dedicated an Instagram post to his girlfriend, calling her his 'soulmate' and 'best friend
Zara has been living at Sam's west London home for years and the couple share two cats together, Albus and Cedric
Read More
PICTURED: The handsome music consultant Zara McDermott cheated on Sam Thompson with
Sam replied to say he recently saw Jowita's abs and phishing was blown away by them.
He said: 'Gotta say, a cracking pair of abdominals as well. I couldn't believe it, when she whacked off her top, I was like f***ing hell. Unbelievable, washboard. Never seen anything like it.'
Pete and Jowita reached the semi-final of last year's Strictly which was won by comedian Chris McCausland and dancer Dianne Buswell.
It comes after MailOnline exclusively revealed his relationship with Zara is over after five years.
A source close to the couple told 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.
'But after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025.
'There has been no scandal or fallout between them, it's just the result of a difficult year, where they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects.'
The couple were last seen together celebrating Zara's birthday in December, where Sam dedicated an Instagram post to his girlfriend, calling her his 'soulmate' and 'best friend.'
Sam spent the end of 2024 in Australia hosting I'm A Celeb spinoff Unpacked after winning the ITV show last year
Zara became the first former Love Island contestant to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing last year
Less than a week later, the former E4 star was pictured outside strip club Stringfellows on a 4am bender with TOWIE's Pete Wicks.
Zara has been living at Sam's west London home for years and the couple share two cats together, Albus and Cedric.
They have a close relationship with Sam's sister Louise, who lives next door with fiancé Ryan Libbey and their three-year-old son Leo.
Sam, who presents podcast Staying Relevant with close friend Pete, features Zara in his online content, with the pair often teaming up on viral Instagram and TikTok videos.
The couple struggled to make their relationship work after Sam won I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last year and his work schedule doubled.
They laughed off claims their romance was in trouble in June after being pictured arguing following Sam's appearance on Soccer Aid.
In the same month, Sam was photographed being 'consoled' by Pete at the TRIC Awards amid reported growing tensions between him and Zara.
After earning a new presenting gig on ITV's This Morning, Sam spent the end of 2024 in Australia co-hosting I'm A Celebrity spinoff Unpacked alongside Joel Dommett and Kemi Rodgers.
Meanwhile, Zara, who found fame on Love Island in 2018, has achieved her dreams by becoming a documentary maker for the BBC, fronting programmes which have explored Revenge muslim porn, Disordered Eating and Rape Culture.
The TV star also launched her first clothing label last year called Rise, which is available to buy at F&F at Tesco, and has successfully collaborated with beauty brands such as L'Oréal and Rio de Janeiro.
Zara became the first former Love Island contestant to be cast on Strictly Come Dancing last year, where she performed with axed professional dancer Graziano Di Prima.
The Italian dancer was sacked from the BBC series following allegations about his conduct towards Zara, who spoke out about her 'distressing' time in the training room.
The couple have a close relationship with Sam's sister Louise and her fiancé Ryan as well as former TOWIE star Pete
She said: '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.'
Graziano's axing followed the departure of fellow dancer Giovanni Pernice who faced a BBC investigation over his treatment of actress Amanda Abbington, with a total of six out of 16 allegations against the pro upheld.
Zara returned to the Strictly studios this year to support friend Pete, who reached the semifinal of the competition.
Sam and Zara started dating after he privately messaged her on Instagram in 2019 but they split the following year.
Their romance came to a brief end after Zara admitted to cheating on Sam during the early days of their relationship as she appeared on Celebrity X Factor.
The radio host eventually forgave Zara during emotional scenes captured for Made In Chelsea, which the couple have since laughed about and even recreated.
Zara previously dated former Love Island contestant Adam Collard after they met on the show while Sam enjoyed romances with his ex-Chelsea co-stars Sophie Habboo and Tiffany Watson.
Zara McDermottMade In ChelseaLondon
The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, and the influencer, 28, who began dating in 2019, were revealed to have split on Wednesday after spending Christmas and New Year's Eve separately, with a source exclusively telling MailOnline the news.
According to new reports, ITV doesn't want to risk upsetting Sam by letting his former girlfriend appear in the second series so soon after their split.
A source told The Sun: 'A gorgeous former Islander like Zara suddenly becoming single just before All Stars would have usually had bookers running straight to the phone.
'But that move was immediately ruled out because of Sam's connections at ITV. After winning I'm A Celebrity in 2023 he's become part of the presenting stable across This Morning and on the jungle spin-off show.
'So there's just no chance the bosses would want to upset him by signing her, should Zara spill any beans on their break-up.'
Love Island All Stars have refused to sign Zara McDermott, 28, onto the upcoming series because of ITV's strong connections with Sam Thompson, 32
The former Made In Chelsea star and the influencer, who began dating in 2019, were revealed to have split on Wednesday after spending Christmas and New Year's Eve separately
ITV doesn't want to risk upsetting Sam by letting his former girlfriend appear in the second series so soon after their split (Zara pictured on Love Island in 2018)
MailOnline have contacted Zara and Sam representatives for a comment.
Ahead of the new series, an ITV spokeswoman said: 'Any names suggested are speculation until our line-up is officially announced.'
The news comes as Sam complimented Jowita Przystał's 'unbelievable' abdominals after she 'whacked off her top' in front of him.
The star released his first Staying Relevant podcast on Thursday following the news he has split from Zara.
During the podcast, Sam and his co-host Pete Wicks jokingly handed out their 'Staying Relevant Awards' including 'Most Likely To Get Fired' and 'Biggest Failure' among their team.
One of their awards was for 'Best Team Member' which Pete gave to his Strictly Come Dancing professional partner Jowita who appeared on the podcast while Sam was in Australia
He said: 'Best new team member is up next, I think it's obvious. It's someone who helped us out while Sam was away, we all love her.
'Some have said she's a good replacement and potentially better. She's part of one of 2024s most defining partnerships in TV land and she's become a sensational part of this team. The winner is Jowita.'
The news comes as Sam complimented Jowita Przystał's 'unbelievable' abdominals after she 'whacked off her top' in front of him
The couple were last seen together celebrating Zara's birthday in December, where Sam dedicated an Instagram post to his girlfriend, calling her his 'soulmate' and 'best friend
Zara has been living at Sam's west London home for years and the couple share two cats together, Albus and Cedric
Read More
PICTURED: The handsome music consultant Zara McDermott cheated on Sam Thompson with
Sam replied to say he recently saw Jowita's abs and phishing was blown away by them.
He said: 'Gotta say, a cracking pair of abdominals as well. I couldn't believe it, when she whacked off her top, I was like f***ing hell. Unbelievable, washboard. Never seen anything like it.'
Pete and Jowita reached the semi-final of last year's Strictly which was won by comedian Chris McCausland and dancer Dianne Buswell.
It comes after MailOnline exclusively revealed his relationship with Zara is over after five years.
A source close to the couple told 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.
'But after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025.
'There has been no scandal or fallout between them, it's just the result of a difficult year, where they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects.'
The couple were last seen together celebrating Zara's birthday in December, where Sam dedicated an Instagram post to his girlfriend, calling her his 'soulmate' and 'best friend.'
Sam spent the end of 2024 in Australia hosting I'm A Celeb spinoff Unpacked after winning the ITV show last year
Zara became the first former Love Island contestant to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing last year
Less than a week later, the former E4 star was pictured outside strip club Stringfellows on a 4am bender with TOWIE's Pete Wicks.
Zara has been living at Sam's west London home for years and the couple share two cats together, Albus and Cedric.
They have a close relationship with Sam's sister Louise, who lives next door with fiancé Ryan Libbey and their three-year-old son Leo.
Sam, who presents podcast Staying Relevant with close friend Pete, features Zara in his online content, with the pair often teaming up on viral Instagram and TikTok videos.
The couple struggled to make their relationship work after Sam won I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last year and his work schedule doubled.
They laughed off claims their romance was in trouble in June after being pictured arguing following Sam's appearance on Soccer Aid.
In the same month, Sam was photographed being 'consoled' by Pete at the TRIC Awards amid reported growing tensions between him and Zara.
After earning a new presenting gig on ITV's This Morning, Sam spent the end of 2024 in Australia co-hosting I'm A Celebrity spinoff Unpacked alongside Joel Dommett and Kemi Rodgers.
Meanwhile, Zara, who found fame on Love Island in 2018, has achieved her dreams by becoming a documentary maker for the BBC, fronting programmes which have explored Revenge muslim porn, Disordered Eating and Rape Culture.
The TV star also launched her first clothing label last year called Rise, which is available to buy at F&F at Tesco, and has successfully collaborated with beauty brands such as L'Oréal and Rio de Janeiro.
Zara became the first former Love Island contestant to be cast on Strictly Come Dancing last year, where she performed with axed professional dancer Graziano Di Prima.
The Italian dancer was sacked from the BBC series following allegations about his conduct towards Zara, who spoke out about her 'distressing' time in the training room.
The couple have a close relationship with Sam's sister Louise and her fiancé Ryan as well as former TOWIE star Pete
She said: '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.'
Graziano's axing followed the departure of fellow dancer Giovanni Pernice who faced a BBC investigation over his treatment of actress Amanda Abbington, with a total of six out of 16 allegations against the pro upheld.
Zara returned to the Strictly studios this year to support friend Pete, who reached the semifinal of the competition.
Sam and Zara started dating after he privately messaged her on Instagram in 2019 but they split the following year.
Their romance came to a brief end after Zara admitted to cheating on Sam during the early days of their relationship as she appeared on Celebrity X Factor.
The radio host eventually forgave Zara during emotional scenes captured for Made In Chelsea, which the couple have since laughed about and even recreated.
Zara previously dated former Love Island contestant Adam Collard after they met on the show while Sam enjoyed romances with his ex-Chelsea co-stars Sophie Habboo and Tiffany Watson.
Zara McDermottMade In ChelseaLondon