After years in the spotlight as a member of One Direction, Louis Tomlinson has kept his personal life incredibly private in more recent years.
However, the usually private singer is now said to be dating TV personality Zara McDermott, 28, according to pictures shared by The Sun.
The romance has grabbed attention thanks to Zara’s previous high-profile relationships, such as on Love Island and with Sam Thompson.
Louis, 33, and Zara are yet to confirm any sparks flying but, apparently, have been enjoying a handful of low-key dates for the past few months.
An onlooker said they ‘looked every bit the happy couple’ while out for dinner on a getaway in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
While the new couple enjoys their blossoming relationship, we dive into the very private life of One Direction star, Louis.
Who is Louis Tomlinson’s new girlfriend?
Louis has reportedly been dating Zara for a few months now, with a source telling The Sun he has ‘absolutely charmed her.’
They continued: ‘It’s clear he thinks she’s drop-dead gorgeous too. Louis is a proper gentleman so this trip was something he planned and put on for Zara.’
Zara rose to fame while appearing on the 2018 series of Love Island, entering as a ‘bombshell’ and coupling up with Adam Collard.
After 10 days, she left the villa but made her mark as the following year she appeared with other contestants on Celebrity X Factor.
She was placed in a group with Eyal Booker, Samira Mighty and Wes Nelson and mentored by Louis Walsh — an experience the History hitmaker can almost certainly relate to.
Zara has fronted multiple documentaries and in 2023 appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, getting eliminated in the fifth week with partner Graziano Di Prima.
In reality TV, Zara also starred on E4’s Made in Chelsea until 2020, where she met ex-boyfriend Sam, 32, who she split with last year.
Who has Louis Tomlinson dated?
Before fame, the What Makes You Beautiful hitmaker was said to be dating a woman named Hannah Walker, however, by 2011 this had fizzled out.
After this, he was reported to be dating Eleanor Calder, a fashion assistant and model, who was seen on his arm at multiple events.
They stayed together until 2015 with sources citing long distance and the One Direction touring schedule as a reason for the breakup.
Shortly after the split, Louis was rumoured to be seeing the likes of Danielle Campbell, Tamara Bell and then the mother of his only son, Briana Jungwirth.
By 2016, Freddie was born but the romance had fizzled out with Briana, who worked as a personal stylist.
The next year, he got back together with Eleanor and they remained together until 2020 with Louis even suggesting marriage was on the cards.
Louis was linked to Sofie Nyvang in 2023 but things didn’t last long and this date night with Zara is the first glimpse at his romantic life that we’ve had since then.
What has Louis Tomlinson said about his son Freddie?
Despite his own superstar status, Louis keeps Freddie’s life far away from the spotlight except for glimpses in 2023 documentary All Of Those Voices.
Freddie, nine, is co-parented by Briana and Louis but lives in the US with his mum which limits the time he can spend with his dad.
During the documentary, the Just Hold On singer spends every moment he’s off work with Freddie, balancing life between the UK and America.
In a sweet moment, his son watches him perform for the first time reducing Louis to tears.
When Freddie comes backstage, his dad scoops him up into a hug and tells him: ‘You made me cry! It was happy crying, but you made me cry!’
Briana posts small updates more frequently but Louis firmly keeps chat about his son to a minimum.
He confessed in 2020 to Fabulous Magazine that having Freddie at 24 had been ‘unexpected’ and forced him to ‘grow up very quickly.’
‘It was another one of them moments — being faced with the reality of a situation and having to step up. It was a very maturing time in my life,’ Louis continued.
‘And, again, I’ve kind of got between two head spaces. I’m the responsible dad and brother some days and other days I’m still the reckless idiot chav I used to be. I’m still trying to work out a happy medium.’
In 2022, he wrote: ‘Happy birthday to my incredible son Freddie! You make me proud every single day. So lucky to have such a kind and outgoing little lad. I love you!’
Inside Louis Tomlinson’s family
Louis grew up in Doncaster in a big blended family with seven siblings, who he is very close to, including influencer sister Lottie.
His mother, Johannah ‘Jay’ Deakin, married Mark Tomlinson after splitting with Louis’ biological father Troy Austin — who he has no contact with.
With Mark, Johannah welcomed Lottie, Félicité and twins Phoebe and Daisy before they parted ways in 2011.
Phoebe and Daisy regularly post family pictures together, including a Christmas video which saw Freddie featured instead of Louis.
Johannah married a man named Dan Deakon after this and in 2014 they welcomed fraternal twins, son Ernest and daughter Doris.
In December 2016, Louis’ mum died from leukaemia at age 43, inspiring the song Two of Us on his debut album.
He told Metro at the time: ‘My mum wasn’t about feeling sorry for herself. Again that’s what gives me pride and comfort singing the chorus. It feels really liberating.’
Just over two years after losing his mum, Louis’ sister Félicité also died from an accidental overdose.
Fizzy as she was affectionately known was just 18 at the time, working as a model and aspiring to be a fashion designer.
Speaking to The Guardian, Louis said: ‘That whole dark side I’ve gone through, it sounds stupid to say, but it gives me strength everywhere else in my life because that’s the darkest shit that I’m going to have to deal with.
‘So it makes everything else…not feel easier and not less important, but in the grand scheme of things, you see things for what they are.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
