When Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott quietly ended their five-year relationship last year, it caught fans off guard. There was no official breakup post, no joint statement—just radio silence. But with both having such public profiles and a relationship that played out across Instagram, TV, and podcasts, the internet did what it does best: speculated wildly.
The gossip really kicked off after the pair spent Christmas apart, sparking rumours about a possible split. Then came whispers of Zara moving on—with none other than former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, after they were seen having dinner together in Suffolk.
Sam, meanwhile, appeared to respond in a roundabout way on his Staying Relevant podcast, co-hosted with Pete Wicks. When guest Paul Carrick Brunson asked how he was practicing self-love, Sam got reflective. “I suppose a lot of people look for validation in others,” he said. “They chase that new, exciting feeling when you’re talking to someone fresh… I can’t do that.”
But fast forward a few weeks and things may have taken a turn.
Sam has now been linked to Too Hot To Handle season six runner-up Lucy Syed. The pair were reportedly seen getting cosy at The Rex Rooms, a trendy new Chelsea nightclub, and have allegedly been spending time together. While friends insist it’s “nothing serious,” the vibe between them is reportedly very flirty.
According to The Daily Mail, Sam and Lucy first connected on celebrity dating app Raya before sliding into each other’s DMs and eventually meeting up in person. “They met up for drinks at a pub and then headed to The Rex Rooms,” a source shared. “They were chatting, laughing, and looking very close.”
The source added: “Sam’s been smiling a lot more lately. He’s enjoying single life and having fun again.”
So, who is Lucy Syed?
Lucy is a 28-year-old aspiring singer and bikini model who first gained attention on Netflix’s Too Hot To Handle. She frequently posts TikToks of herself singing and recently joked about her chaotic love life, saying, “It’s a man infestation… I’m ready for the glow up now, please.”
Whether or not Sam and Lucy are official, it’s clear Sam’s dipping his toes back into the dating scene—and fans are keeping a close eye.