Zara McDermott shuts down Sam Thompson split rumours after fleeing UK without him amid Strictly crisis
Yesterday, we revealed how Zara had broken a leg bone in tough training for the last Strictly series
ZARA McDermott shut down Sam Thompson split rumours after fleeing the UK without him amid her Strictly crisis.
Love Island star Zara, 27, brushed aside both dramas in her life as she jetted off on a sun-soaked getaway, sharing a photo dump to Instagram yesterday.
The reality star looked gorgeous in a black-and-white striped dress while posing with her family by the sea.
She was joined by her parents Karen and Alan on the trip, as well as her younger brother Brad and some pals.
Zara also included a screenshot of a FaceTime call with Sam, who was seen clutching one of their cats.
Earlier this month, Zara and Sam were seen together after she was spotted crying in the street amid “crisis talks”.
The couple – who started dating in 2019 – have been reportedly going through a difficult patch in their relationship recently.
That’s not the only thing that has been tough for her, though.
Yesterday, we revealed that Zara had broken a leg bone in tough training for the last Strictly series.
But the star was unaware and danced on in pain with partner Graziano Di Prima until they were eliminated.
Zara only recently revealed the injury to the show inquiry.
After the injury, Zara needed painkillers to get through ten-hour training sessions.
The TV personality told her pro partner — disgraced Graziano Di Prima — of her agony ahead of last series’ Halloween special.
The pair agreed to plough on before losing a dance-off — with Zara then going to hospital.
An insider explained: “Zara had started getting injured in the build-up to the Halloween dance then something went on the morning, meaning she danced with a fractured leg all that week.
“It was a literal horror show in every sense of the word.”
An X-ray revealed severe ligament damage plus a stress fracture on her left tibia.
Show bosses learned the full extent of the injury only two weeks ago when
Graziano was sacked earlier this month after admitting kicking Zara once at rehearsals.
Sources close to Zara said: “She started developing a really bad, niggly pain in her left leg at training. The pain got worse and by the last few weeks, she was in agony, popping painkillers before, during and after sessions.
It was only after she left the show, and the pain became agonising, that she was referred to hospital and a hairline stress fracture was discovered in her tibia alongside ligament damage
Inside source
“She made Graziano aware of her discomfort but he was pretty adamant they needed to crack on.
“Obviously they both wanted to get the highest scores possible, and unfortunately she pushed through the pain.
“She wasn’t seen to by medics on site, and production weren’t aware of the extent of her injury.
HOW CRISIS UNFOLDED
THE Sun has led the way on Strictly’s biggest scandal yet.
Last September, we revealed Amanda Abbington threatening to quit the show over rows with partner Giovanni Pernice.
In October, she confirmed our story, quitting and citing a medical reason.
At the start of this year, The Sun on Sunday revealed she had PTSD as a result of her show training.
In May, we revealed Gio had quit and broke the news “several” celebrities had instructed top lawyers over the dancer’s behaviour.
And this month we told how pro Graziano Di Prima was sacked over shocking clashes with celeb partner Zara McDermott, caught on film.
“By the time of her last dance, she was in a lot of pain and limping through the moves.
“She can’t watch it back as it brings back too many agonising memories.” Zara and Graziano were eliminated in a dance-off with Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas and pro Luba Mushtuk.
Didn’t want to make a fuss
The source went on: “It was only after she left the show, and the pain became agonising, that she was referred to hospital and a hairline stress fracture was discovered in her tibia alongside ligament damage.
“Zara didn’t want to make a fuss, so didn’t alert anyone at the BBC until two weeks ago.”
Zara, who wore a moon boot for almost three months earlier this year, is understood to have told investigators about the “beyond” rigorous training which caused a stress fracture.
However, last night a source close to Graziano claimed he encouraged her to take breaks, and she wanted to continue training.
The revelation comes less than a week after Paralympian Will Bayley revealed he was left with a life-changing injury after jumping from a box at rehearsals.
After hearing his leg crack, and suffering “horrific pain”, he was given an ice pack instead of being taken to hospital.
Will — forced to quit the 2019 series with knee ligament damage — claims that he warned producers the jump was too dangerous but was ignored,
The BBC has endured a deeply uncomfortable two months over the show. In May The Sun revealed pro Giovanni Pernice was quitting, and that several celebrities had come forward to raise concern about his behaviour.
Over the past few weeks, others have come forward with their own horror stories on Strictly.
Earlier this week the corporation’s director general, Tim Davie, apologised for any duty of care breaches — and insisted new protocols were in place to protect future contestants.
A spokesman for Zara declined to comment last night.
