09 October 2023 , 10:44
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As celebrities are forced to say goodbye to their fellow contestants as Strictly Come Dancing heads towards the final, the emotions are clear for all to see.
So when Zara McDermott, 26, found herself dancing for survival in last week's dance-off, it seemed she too found it tough to say goodbye to Nikita Kanda. And this may explain why Zara's mum Karen took to social media to thank fans for their on-going support - but claimed the dance-off was a "bittersweet" moment for the former Love Island star. Karen wrote on the BBC show's Facebook group page: "We were at the show last night and experienced the heart stopping moment when Zara and Graz were announced as being in the dance off."
Strictly's Zara McDermott with her mum Karen (Instagram)
Zara McDermott attends Pride of Britain Awards with Strictly dance partner Graziano Di Prima (PA)She added: "Our girl came out and performed her dance as Graz taught her to the letter. She was so thankful to be put through to next week but devastated that she had to say goodbye to Nikita. The girls hit it off from day one and so it was a bittersweet moment. Thank you so much to anyone who voted for Zara and Graz. Now we're turning our minds to next week and a new dance. Catch Zara and Graz on ITT this coming weeks and you'll see us in the audience next week!"
The former reality TV star's pro dance partner Graziano Di Prima attended the Pride of Britain Awards on Sunday night and told Zara infront of The Mirror: "You've been incredible." He then added: "She gives me 150%, she never stops. The only 30 second break she takes is for water. Even when she has water she's practicing the steps I've never had a student like that I'm so, so proud of her."
Nikita and her dance partner Gorka Marquez were eliminated from the compeition after the judges chose to save Zara. The TV personality rose to fame when she joined the fourth series of Love Island in 2018 as she entered the villa as a bombshell contestant and partnered with Celebs Go Dating star Adam Collard.
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She later joined her boyfriend Sam Thompson on Made In Chelsea but bowed out of the show at the end of 2020. After completing her BBC documentary Zara Mc Dermott: Revenge Porn, which saw her pulll on her experiences after a nude poto was leaked of her as a teenager, she then went on to explore another topic.
She then made a follow-up documentary called Zara McDermott: Uncovering Rape Culture which saw her reveal a time she almost became a victim of rape. Zara preseneted other documentaries including one on eating disorders as she wanted to move away from reality TV and short-term brand deals.
But it seems some people found her new role as a documentary film maker a little cvonfusing. Taking to social media, once person wrote: "Zara McDermott talking about her 'documentary making world' when everyone just remembers her for squeezing the tears out on the park bench with Sam Thomson #strictly."
While another added: ""Obsessed that Zara McDermott from Love Island is getting introduced as a “documentary maker”. I know she’s done a few BBC specials but come on darlin #Strictly." A third said: "She was only on LI a week. That's like saying someone who was an extra in Corrie is a soap star."