Reality TV star and documentary maker Zara McDermott has declared she enjoyed the 'best birthday ever' during a cosy countryside weekend with her boyfriend, former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson. The couple marked McDermott's 29th birthday with winter walks, a lavish roast dinner, and relaxing by the fire, joined by Tomlinson's sister, influencer Lottie, and a group of close friends.
A Low-Key Celebration in the Countryside
Opting for a relaxed celebration, the former Love Island contestant shared a series of snaps from the intimate getaway. McDermott was pictured beaming while holding a pretty white two-tier birthday cake adorned with red ribbons, dressed casually in a black long-sleeve top and tracksuit bottoms. She later showcased an off-the-shoulder jumper while carrying a huge bouquet of flowers before wrapping up in a winter coat and hat for a scenic country walk.
The weekend was filled with simple pleasures. Zara shared a sweet photo of Louis's sister Lottie and her partner, Lewis Burton, 32, cosied up on a sofa, enjoying a rare evening without their two young children, Lucky and Flossy. She also captured a atmospheric shot of Louis by a lake at sunset, followed by a solo snap with the same picturesque backdrop.
Moving On: New Relationships Blossom
The birthday post arrived just hours after McDermott's ex-boyfriend, Sam Thompson, made his new romance Instagram official. The Made In Chelsea star, 33, shared a beaming photo with his new girlfriend, DJ Talitha Balinska, 25, during a London dinner date. Thompson confirmed the relationship earlier in December, having been set up by a mutual friend months prior.
Speaking on his podcast, Staying Relevant, Thompson excitedly revealed he had asked Balinska to be his girlfriend in a relaxed manner over dinner, stating, "I'm 33, I wouldn’t be dating someone this amount of time if I didn’t think it had legs to last." His co-host and best friend, Pete Wicks, noted how far Thompson had come since last Christmas, which marked the end of his five-year relationship with Zara McDermott.
Contrasting Approaches to Love on Social Media
In a subtle shift from his past, Sam Thompson indicated he plans to keep his new relationship more private on social media. When asked if he would post a festive couple's photo akin to those he previously shared with McDermott—which included matching Christmas pyjamas—he insisted, "I've done that before and I want to do a complete opposite of that this time."
Meanwhile, Zara McDermott, who moved on with Louis Tomlinson after a series of dates last March and confirmed their relationship in August, appears happier than ever. Captioning her birthday weekend recap, she penned: 'birthday weekend recap with my favourite people. Feeling lucky, festive, cosy and ready for Christmas hibernation.' In a loved-up selfie with Tomlinson from a winter walk, she simply wrote: 'The best birthday ever with you ❤️ & the final year of my 20’s!!'
