One Direction fans criticise Zara McDermott for her support of Brexit and brand her budding romance with Louis Tomlinson a ‘stunt’

Zara McDermott and Louis Tomlinson 'take relationship to next level' as 1D star makes bold move - The Mirror

One Direction fans have criticised the former boyband star Louis Tomlinson‘s reported new romance with reality TV personality Zara McDermott.

There has been an online backlash after the pair were pictured enjoying a romantic meal together at The Suffolk hotel in Aldeburgh, eastern England.

Zara, 28, appears to have upset some with previous comments in favour of Brexit – while there is also scepticism over whether the new relationship could be a ‘stunt’.

Reports have the former Love Island contestant and and 33-year-old Tomlinson, who achieved four UK singles chart-toppers with One Direction between 2010 and 2016.

The Sun told how the pair had been on a number of low key dates over the past few weeks and have been speaking for a while.

A source was quoted as saying: ‘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.’

Social media has been abuzz with speculation about their potential pairing – as well as commentary on the apparent relationship’s prospects.

Louis Tomlinson, pictured performing in India's capital Mumbai on March 9 this year, has been linked with reality TV personality Zara McDermott

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Louis Tomlinson, pictured performing in India’s capital Mumbai on March 9 this year, has been linked with reality TV personality Zara McDermott

Zara McDermott, seen here attending the BRIT Awards at the O2 in London on March 1, used to work as a civil servant before appearing on ITV reality show Love Island in 2018

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Zara McDermott, seen here attending the BRIT Awards at the O2 in London on March 1, used to work as a civil servant before appearing on ITV reality show Love Island in 2018

The pair have been photographed dining at The Suffolk hotel in Aldeburgh

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The pair have been photographed dining at The Suffolk hotel in Aldeburgh

Various commenters on the discussion website Reddit have expressed scepticism about the pairing – while also taking against previous reported comments by McDermott.

She previously worked as a policy advisor in the civil service before quitting ahead of appearing in the fourth series of ITV reality show Love Island in 2018.

When asked that year for her opinion on Brexit, she told the BBC: ‘I support it, but I’m hoping for a good deal. I think it’s all a bit unsettling at the moment.’

She was speaking during a televised date with ex-Sheffield mayor Magid Magid for the corporation’s Victoria Derbyshire programme.

Expanding on her pro-Brexit vote, she said during the video conversation: ‘For me it’s less about immigration and more about the fact that people can’t keep, almost, coming and taking advantage of things like the NHS and the health system and then leaving because it’s unfair.

‘Cuts to things that are absolutely being taken advantage of – ie. the benefit system and the NHS.

‘There are definitely people on benefits that don’t need to be on benefits but I think that a really good thing to introduce in the UK would be a couponing system – to be able to really monitor that and know it’s not going to waste.’

Her comments then have now been re-shared people talking about her reported link-up with Tomlinson.

Online commenters have criticised Zara McDermott for her previously-stated pro-Brexit stance

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Online commenters have criticised Zara McDermott for her previously-stated pro-Brexit stance

Louis Tomlinson, pictured last month in New Orleans, had four chart-topping singles in the UK with former band One Direction between 2010 and 2016

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Louis Tomlinson, pictured last month in New Orleans, had four chart-topping singles in the UK with former band One Direction between 2010 and 2016

One Reddit user, citing Sun coverage of their suggested date, posted: ‘Having learned that Zara was at least at one point a a Brexit supporter (she even specifically talked about immigrants taking advantage of the healthcare system and calling it “unfair”) that “shared values” part of that article has me raising an eyebrow.

‘Louis, if you’re gonna stunt…maybe do it with someone who actually aligns with your values. (Unless this DOES align with his values.)’

Other comments included ‘The stunt has just begun and I’m already sick of it’ and ‘I truly believe it’s PR’.

Another said: ‘Zara is super conservative and was pretty outspoken about being pro Brexit.

‘I have no idea about Louis’ opinion on British politics, but I doubt that his fans will be happy about this.’

Yet another poster wrote: ‘I actually think this time it’s genuine, I think this has been going on for some time.

‘Who knows, maybe Zara is his perfect partner. I don’t think she is just going to disappear. I have a feeling she will be around a long time.’

MailOnline has contacted representatives for both Tomlinson and McDermott for comment.

Social media users have been offering different takes on the reported new relationship

Social media users have been offering different takes on the reported new relationship

Zara McDermott was previously in a relationship with Made In Chelsea's Sam Thompson

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Zara McDermott was previously in a relationship with Made In Chelsea’s Sam Thompson

Fans of Louis Tomlinson (pictured) have spotted he and Zara followed each other on Instagram

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Fans of Louis Tomlinson (pictured) have spotted he and Zara followed each other on Instagram

She was previously in a relationship with Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, with the pair first starting dating in 2019.

MailOnline revealed the couple separated after five years together last December, with Zara – who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 – revealing shortly afterwards that she had moved out of their home in Chelsea, west London.

In January, she shared a TikTok documenting her day filming for Morning Live, where she confirmed she was living somewhere new, with clips of her in bed and glimpses of her room while getting ready.

Fans speculated that Zara had moved on with Louis, sharing conspiracy theories that they pair could be secretly dating after noticing that they followed each other on Instagram.

Reddit users also claimed that Louis’s sisters, including make-up artists Lottie Tomlinson, and twins Daisy and Phoebe, follow Zara on Instagram too.