SAM Thompson is dating another reality star following his split from Zara McDermott, according to reports.
The 32-year-old is said to have grown close to Too Hot To Handle beauty Lucy Syed, 28, as Zara moves on with Louis Tomlinson.
Swimwear model Lucy was runner-up on the show last series and reportedly had an ‘instant connection’ with Sam, before they were spotted on a date.
A friend told the MailOnline: "Sam and Lucy were sharing direct messages over Instagram before they decided to meet up at a pub and then continue their night at The Rex Rooms.
“They looked really close in the club, chatting and cuddling up together.
“But their closeness continued after they spent the night partying together and the pair's connection has certainly put a smile back on Sam's face.
“Sam is enjoying being single again and dipping his toe back into the dating pool.”
Like Zara, Lucy is an aspiring singer and often shares clips of herself singing on TikTok.
Too Hot To Handle sees hot singletons from around the world come together in a tropical paradise.
The self proclaimed commitment-phobes who love a casual hook-up, then have to give up all hanky-panky for the entire retreat if they want to win the $100K (£79K) grand prize.
Lucy stuck to all the rules during her time in Turks and Caicos - and failed to find love.
At the start of the year Lucy revealed she was still single as she shared an upsetting clip of herself crying.
She told fans: "Well, at least we know manifesting works, I hate that it's called manifesting, like, 'man'… it's like men are infesting my life and annoying and upsetting me. It's a man infestation... I'm ready for the glow up now please."
Sam and Zara split after five years , shortly after they spent Christmas apart.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline at the time: "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."
Zara had been single since December, but was recently linked to a new hunk.
One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, 33, whisked model Zara to a hotel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, earlier this month, where a fellow diner snapped them enjoying a romantic meal.
A source added: “Louis whisked Zara away for a break in Suffolk and he absolutely charmed her.
“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.
“He was really thoughtful and wanted to make it special. They share the same values and are both incredibly close with their families.
“Louis is very protective over his sisters and Zara is the same with her younger brother Brad.
“For now they’re taking things slowly and enjoying each other’s company to see where it takes them.”
The Sun has contacted Sam's rep for comment.
