01 October 2023 , 12:15
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Strictly star Zara McDermott has admitted that the gruelling schedule of rehearsals and live shows for Strictly Come Dancing has meant that he has struggled to find time to spend with boyfriend Sam Thompson.
The 26-year-old former Love Island contestant has shared that she currently has an 11-hour day with her Strictly pro partner Graziano Di Prima, and that this means she is missing time with Sam, who is a Radio DJ who has an evening show on Hits Radio. Zara has said that with Sam not around when she gets home, she is practising her steps with their cats Albus and Cedric.
Speaking about her intense schedule for the BBC dance show, Zara said: "We did 11 hours last week, 8-7pm and we really didn't stop. Sam does his radio show every evening so when I come home from training, he's at work so I rehearse on my own or use one of the cats."
Zara McDermott has admitted that her schedule with Strictly means she is missing her boyfriend Sam Thompson (@zara_mcdermott/Instagram)Despite being like passing ships in the night, Zara praised the support she is being given by Sam as she looks to have a long run in Strictly.
Zara continued: "But he has been amazing... we talk all the time on the phone, especially because I'm at rehearsals a lot. He is always at the end of the phone if I need to chat and he's super supportive. He's very positive."
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The reality star turned documentary presenter has admitted that she wouldn't have landed a spot on this year's Strictly if Love Island was the only show on her TV CV.
Zara McDermott with pro dance partner Graziano Di Prima on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (BBC)She is the first former Love Islander to appear on Strictly, which has previously shied away from casting reality stars from the ITV2 dating show but has had to repeatedly say that she will not be a victim of Strictly's infamous curse despite being caught with music boss Brahim Fouradi when she appeared on X Factor: Celebrity in 2019.
Speaking about her journey to being included in the Strictly line-up, Zara said: "I don't think there was necessarily a ban or anything like that on Love Island contestants or reality contestants at all.
"I just think it's who fits right for the show and I don't see myself as just a 'Love Island contestant' that's something that I did when I was 21 but I'm 26 now and for the last four years I have been working so hard to make the documentaries that I make so that's had a lot to do with the reason why I'm on the show now because of the work that I've done in addition to Love Island and not just because of that.
"I am not in any way shape or form ashamed of my past, I think every single thing that I have done has been a steppingstone to becoming the woman that I am today, and it has given me an amazing platform, so I don't think there's necessarily a stigma around it to be honest."
Zara has presented documentaries for the BBC in recent years covering a number of serious issues including rape culture, eating disorders, and revenge porn.