One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson dating Strictly’s Zara McDermott with exclusive pictures showing intimate night in hotel
FORMER 1D star Louis Tomlinson and Strictly’s Zara McDermott have been bonding on a string of dates.
Louis, 33, whisked model Zara, 28, to a hotel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, where a fellow diner snapped them enjoying a romantic meal.
Louis and Zara were earlier seen giggling and holding hands while they dined on £100 fish and chips plus cocktails.
One onlooker said: “They looked every bit the happy couple.”
Insiders say the pair have been talking for a while and enjoyed a handful of low-key dates over the past few weeks.
A source added: “Louis whisked Zara away for a break in Suffolk and he absolutely charmed her.
“It’s clear he thinks she’s drop-dead gorgeous too.
“Louis is a proper gentleman so this trip was something he planned and put on for Zara.
“He was really thoughtful and wanted to make it special. They share the same values and are both incredibly close with their families.
“Louis is very protective over his sisters and Zara is the same with her younger brother Brad.
“For now they’re taking things slowly and enjoying each other’s company to see where it takes them.”
Onlookers spotted the pair looking loved-up at Aldeburgh’s The Suffolk where rooms cost up to £315 a night.
One guest snapped photos of them together after spotting the pair tucking into £100 whole brill and chips.
The guest, who was also dining in the hotel, told us: “Louis and Zara were having a great time.
“They were touching hands over the table and looked so happy and relaxed.
“They had the brill, the whole fish, and shared it with sides and Zara had a few cocktails.
“Louis was really making her giggle and they chatted for ages.”
Louis, who sold more than 70million records worldwide with Up All Night hitmakers One Direction, was also seen chatting to fans who stopped to speak to him in the seaside town.
He was really thoughtful and wanted to make it special. They share the same values and are both incredibly close with their families
A source
The guest added: “Louis was a real gentleman and acknowledged his fans. People had noticed who they were but everyone kept a respectful distance.”
Pals said Louis and model Zara stayed the night before leaving for London where both have homes.
Zara has been single since December after her five-year romance with 2023 I’m A Celebrity winner Sam Thompson fizzled out.
The pair spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve apart and their break-up was made public weeks later.
Friends close to Zara and Sam said there was no bad feeling between them and that they chose to end the relationship to focus on their work projects.
Louis, who has a nine-year-old son from his relationship with stylist Briana Jungwirth, has been single for a number of months.
His longest relationship was with influencer Eleanor Calder, who he dated on and off for five years until 2023.
Louis and Sam will be teammates at June 15’s Soccer Aid charity match, after signing up for the all-star England squad.
Louis’ fans spotted he started following Zara on Instagram on February 18 and shared screenshots online.
He liked a photo Zara had posted on her account on March 1 from the Brit Awards.
Zara wore a white-feathered dress to the event at London’s O2 Arena where she was a guest of L’Oréal.
Louis was really making her giggle and they chatted for ages
A source
Louis has recently been performing in the US and returned to the UK for a one-off headline show at Electric Brixton on March 6.
He joined One Direction with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne after they were put together on 2010’s The X Factor.
The band notched up 14 Top Ten hits, including four No 1s, before announcing an indefinite break in January 2016.
Louis attended Liam’s funeral in November and paid a touching tribute to his pal, 31, who died in Argentina last October.
Calling Liam his brother, Louis said: “Liam was somebody I looked up to every day, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.”
He also wrote a message directly to Liam and said: “I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye.
“I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”
Zara worked as a policy adviser for the Department for Education before appearing on Love Island in 2018.
She competed on The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019 as part of a group with fellow Love Island stars.
Zara went on to compete on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 and has since carved out a successful career as a documentary maker.
The Sun contacted Louis and Zara’s representatives for comment.
Timeline of Louis Tomlinson's love life
Here we delve into Louis' love life since his rise to fame in One Direction.
Hannah Walker – Louis’ first girlfriend, who he dated in 2010. They split in 2011 as his band One Direction took off and the long distance romance was too much for them.
Eleanor Calder – The pair dated on and off from 2011 to 2022. They were first photographed kissing at the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Briana Jungwirth – Louis dated American Briana in 2015 and they have a son named Freddie, who was born in 2016.
Sofie Nyvang – Louis was rumoured to be in a relationship with Danish model Sofie in February 2023. They split two months later in April 2023.