BBC Strictly's Zara McDermott forced to leave rehearsals over medical emergency

26 October 2023 , 21:16

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BBC Strictly's Zara McDermott forced to leave rehearsals over medical emergency

Strictly Come Dancing's Zara McDermott was forced to leave rehearsals early to go to hospital, after her boyfriend required medical attention over kidney concerns.

The Love Island star is currently hard at work practising choreography with partner Graziano di Prima, in a bid to avoid landing in the Bottom Two for a third time. It's now been revealed that she made an exception to her vigorous routine in the dance studio, however, over an emergency involving her beau of four years, Sam Thompson.

Speaking on his podcast, Staying Relevant with co-host Pete Wicks, the 31-year-old admitted that he feared he was suffering from kidney disease after experiencing severe pain in his abdomen. He even recalled thinking he was on death's door as he thanked his best friend for accompanying him to the hospital for moral support.

"You came to me when I thought I was dying and you literally were there for me," he said, to which The Only Way Is Essex star quipped, "Despite knowing there was nothing wrong with you." Fortunately, the doctors confirmed Pete's suspicions that Sam was going to be okay, and he was discharged with the all-clear.

Zara left Strictly rehearsals early to visit Sam in hospital

It was at this point that Sam revealed he'd even roped Zara into his medical 'crisis', admitting that she'd left Strictly rehearsals early to visit him in the hospital.

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"Do you wanna know something worse? I made Zara leave her Strictly training early to come and see me at the doctors," he said, suppressing a fit of laughter. "And it was just for the guy to go, 'Yeah, you're fine'."

Zara first coupled up with Sam in 2019, after she messaged the Made in Chelsea star on social media. 'She slid into my DMs," he told OK! at the time. "It was great and I'm glad she did. I don't want to say too much, but we've been on a few dates, it's been a few weeks now."

A year later, Sam and Zara moved into a plush Chelsea home together that just so happens to be down the road from the home of the Love Islander's sister, Louise. Aside from a brief split amid cheating rumours in late 2020, their relationship appears to be stronger than ever today. Zara was previously in a relationship with Love Island co-star, Adam Collard, before being briefly linked to X Factor singer, Olly Murs.

Emma Dooney