SAM Thompson and Zara McDermott’s split was announced on New Year’s Day, and has come after fans noticed the couple had been spending more time apart.
A source close to Sam and Zara has confirmed that the couple have ended their relationship after an “incredibly difficult decision” to do so.
And Sam downed shots with his Made In Chelsea pals while enjoying a wild New Year as his ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott stayed home.
The TV star, 32, was seen in a pub making a toast as Reza Amiri-Garroussi filmed.
Sam and Reza were joined by a group of pals at Kensington Rooftop Gardens, including MIC star JP.
And I’m A Celeb winner Sam told fans it was going to be a “memorable evening,” as he told his reality telly pals how lucky he was to be spending New Year with them.
The night started off with some relaxed drinks, but Reza filmed things escalating as they partied in the swanky venue as the clock struck midnight.
But while Sam was out partying, Zara stayed home with her cat and took a photo, writing “Happy New Year.”
And there have been other signs that they’d drifted apart too, with many fans questioning why they didn’t spend Christmas together.
The presenter posted a photo of himself as he became Santa Claus for the day and delivered presents to those in need.
Alongside a beaming of snap of himself holding bags of gifts, he wrote: "Bit of a different Christmas this year. I got put in touch with a charity. The camila batmanghelidjh foundation to be exact.
"They were struggling this year after the sad passing of Camila, and I was lucky enough to get the call up to deliver gifts across London to possibly the nicest, most selfless bunch of people I’ve ever met.
"What could have been another standard Christmas has turned out to be one that I’ll never forget!
"Thank you everyone that let me into your homes, and to be honest I think there’s no doubt I’ll be back next year if you’ll have me!
"Here’s to all of the people who are there for others year round."You are superheroes (and thank you to my co-pilot the camera shy JLS loving Ali) you’re one of a kind my man!"
Zara praised her then boyfriend, writing: "So proud of you, it's so lovely that you chose to give up your Christmas Day to help others."
Their Christmas and New Year spent apart also comes after Sam spent time with his best pal Pete Wicks over the festive period.
They posed with Sam’s mum in front of a Christmas tree and Zara was nowhere to be seen.
Sam also jetted off to Australia recently to host I’m A Celebrity’s spinoff show, meaning the couple had spent more time apart.
Zara, 28, was unable to join Sam due to her own work commitments.
Zara responded to a fan at the time, and explained: "You guys are funny. I've had this question so many times! Well firstly I'm filming my documentary about stalking at the moment and it's really not possible to take time off filming at short notice."
Zara also said the time difference and working hours would make it tricky.
She added: “Let's see, if he ends up going back next year for another season then I'll definitely go out there if I can.”
It comes as a source confirmed to MailOnline that they’d split, saying: “Sam and Zara have ended their relationship. It's been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways, they still care and have a lot of love for each other.
“'But after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025.
“There has been no scandal or fallout between them, it's just the result of a difficult year, where they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects.”
During the festive period Sam took the opportunity to party with Pete at a boozy shindig.
The duo were were seen having a boozy session before Sam ditched his clothes and went near-naked during the night.
Sam looked like the life and soul of the party, showing off his party trick as he swing across the room on a pole.
Just a few weeks after Zara reunited with her boyfriend Sam as they celebrated her birthday.
In a post dedicated to his girlfriend, Sam called Zara his “soulmate.”
The former couple live together in Sam’s West London home, and share two cats – Albus and Cedric.
