Zara McDermott ‘potential winner’ of Strictly thanks to tactile relationship with Graziano

Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott has made a name for herself in the documentary world - however, Love Island fans will remember that she originally took part in the fourth series of the hit ITV2 reality show. While it's been five years since Zara stepped into the Love Island villa, the 26-year-old has said that she's "a completely different person" today but isn't "ashamed" of her reality TV past. Speaking to OK! in an exclusive interview, Zara said that she's "grateful, humbled and flattered" to be Strictly's first Love Island contestant.

Zara McDermott has opened up about her relationship with boyfriend Sam Thompson and his feelings about her doing Strictly Come Dancing, revealing that it's "not always completely balanced" for the couple. The 26-year-old Love Island star is currently partnered up with Italian professional Graziano Di Prima on the BBC One show and spends most of her time in training for Saturday night. When asked how she's balanced her relationship with the Strictly experience, Zara told OK! in an exclusive interview that Made in Chelsea 's Sam has been "amazing" throughout.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima has spoken about the moment he landed in the bottom two with Zara McDermott - and how he spurred her on to dance another week. The 26-year-old former Love Island star made it safely through this weekend's show after winning audiences over with her Viennese Waltz. However, her Movie Week Paso Doble landed her in the dance-off the weekend before, with the documentary presenter fighting radio DJ Nikita Kanda for a place in the competition.

Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott spoke about her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima's 'bad breath' during their appearance on Strictly: It Takes Two.The duo jokily explained on Monday's programme, 16 October, how they managed to improve the contestant's frame in a ballroom dance Reflecting on how nervous she'd been to get back on the dance floor after being in the dance-off in week three of the BBC One competition, Zara was all smiles as she talked about how incredible she'd found it returning to the ballroom dances once more. Chatting to presenter Fleur East about the experience, Love Island beauty Zara admitted that Graziano had had to use some unconventional methods to get her ready for the dance in training. "He gave me this advice last week," the reality TV star and documentarian giggled.

Jody Cundy and his professional dance partner Jowita Przystal will be performing the Salsa to Samba de Janeiro by Bellini on Saturday night. The pair have so far avoided the dreaded dance-off but bookies think week four will mark the end of Jody's Strictly Come Dancing journey.

Zara McDermott has revealed she was "gutted" after being in the Strictly dance off last week.The Strictly Come Dancing star, who is partnered up with Graziano Di Prima, has pleaded with fans to vote for her this week, so she can avoid being in the bottom two again.The 26-year-old, who found fame on Love Island, posted the appeal to her 1.8 million Instagram followers. Last week, the now documentary presenter took part in the dance-off against presenter Nikita Kanda and her dance partner Gorka Márquez.

Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima's days are numbered in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom, according to ex-pro Brendan Cole.The pair are fast approaching Halloween Week after three incrementally improving routines together, but while speaking to Sky Bingo, Brendan, 47, argued that Made in Chelsea star Zara, 26, doesn't quite cut the mustard when it comes to genuine dancing talent. "I'm not expecting much more from Zara McDermott. I'm not expecting a lot because she's not a dancer.

Strictly Come Dancing's former professional dancer Brendan Cole has opened up and brutally slammed former Love Island star Zara McDermott and said she needs a "miracle" to make it through the elimination this weekend. Last weeks competition saw Zara McDermott and her pro dancer Graziano Di Prima in the bottom two couples along with Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez, who all danced for survival. Zara and Graziano performed their Paso Doble to The Puss Suite from Puss In Boots, while Nikita and Gorka did their Jive to Kids In America from Clueless again in a bid to remain in the competition All of the judges opted to save Zara, however Brendan has now claimed the star isn't going to progress "much further" in the dance competition, unless a "miracle happens".

Zara McDermott and dance partner Graziano Di Prima, have been getting on like a house on fire. But their relationship now appears to have hit a bump in the road – and it's all because of a bowl of pasta. Taking to Instagram Stories, former Love Island star Zara made demands for different types of pasta.

Strictly Come Dancing is renowned for the pressure and hard work of the celebrity contestants, many of whom have little to no dancing experience when they join the battle for the glitterball trophy. And now the partner of Zara McDermott has spoken out about how it feels when you've been in the bottom two, shining a light on how difficult it can be to bounce back.

Strictly Come Dancing fans were shocked after contestant Zara McDermott was caught out treating a foot callus. Boyfriend and reality star Sam Thompson, shared a video clip on Instagram of his partner using an electric callus remover on the bed.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have accused head judge Shirley Ballas of giving out low scores to the female contestants on the show, just a year after she was hit with a sexism row.The experienced dancer gave a lower score than her fellow judges to celebrities, Anglea Rippon, Zara McDermott, and Ellie Leach on Saturday, 30 September. As Shirley gave her feedback and then her score during the show, she was booed by members of the live audience.

Reality star Sam Thompson has slammed his girlfriend Zara McDermott as a 'terrible dancer' as she made her live Strictly Come Dancing debut.

Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott has said that she is "struggling" to spend time with her boyfriend, Sam Thompson, as a result of her schedule for the programme.The former Love Island star, who is dancing with Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima, has admitted that they are training for 11 hours a day as they look to progress through the competition. She also confessed that due to Sam having a radio show in the evenings, when she finally gets home from rehearsals, she is left to practise either on her own or with their cats. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 26 year old said: "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's second Strictly Come Dancing performance will be particularly special for the ex-Love Islander, with the dance having a sweet link to her grandparents.The ex-Love Islander, 26, is competing on this year's series of the BBC One show with professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 29, with the duo proving to be a perfect match on the dance floor. Zara performed the quickstep with Graziano on Saturday's show and her mum Karen has revealed that the quickstep has a special link to her parents - Zara's grandparents - who would dance the quickstep together when they were dating.

Sam Thompson has made the effort to "really get to know" his girlfriend's Strictly Come Dancing partner. Zara McDermott, who Sam has been dating since 2019, is taking part in this year's BBC dancing competition. Ahead of the live shows, TV personality and Made in Chelsea star, Sam wanted to get to Zara's partner professional Graziano Di Prima and his wife, Giada Lini.

Zara McDermott has spent 10 hours a day in the rehearsal studio ahead of her Strictly Come Dancing debut.The 26-year-old presenter and documentary maker will be taking to the dance floor for the first time tonight on the BBC. Despite being in the capable hands of her partner, Graziano Di Prima, Zara's mum has said that she will be "nervous" to be dancing the cha cha to Crush by Jennifer Paige.

Graziano Di Prima, the Italian sensation on Strictly Come Dancing, has twirled his way into the hearts of viewers since joining the show. Known not only for his dazzling dance moves but also his charismatic charm, Graziano has become quite the heartthrob among fans.

This year's Strictly Come Dancing celebrities are in a WhatsApp chat together, revealed Zara McDermott's mum. Zara, who first found fame on Love Island, has put her dancing shoes on as she will be taking part in the 21st series of BBC competition.The 26-year-old, who is now a presenter and documentary maker, has been paired with Graziano Di Prima and will do the cha cha to Crush by Jennifer Paige on the first live show tonight (Saturday, September 23).

In the world of celebrity romance, few couples have faced the public eye with the resilience of Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson. From reality TV fame to a heartfelt reconciliation, this duo has shown that love can weather even the stormiest of setbacks. As Zara takes centre stage on Strictly Come Dancing, Sam stands as her biggest cheerleader.