The shock news of Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott’s split came this week as it was revealed the entertainment power couple had called it quits on their five-year relationship.
The end of their up and down union comes after Zara became involved in a cheating scandal early on in their relationship – which it appears they could never recover from.
The former Love Island star, 28, cheated on him five years ago with a music executive while appearing on the X Factor and their subsequent parting and then reunion was documented on the next season of Made In Chelsea.
The fling was with music boss Brahim Fouradi – who had previously worked for Simon Cowell as an A&R director for Syco.
They had been dating for 16 months when Sam discovered what happened between the former Love Island star and Brahim.
Zara was appearing on the Celebrity X Factor as part of a group comprised of ex-Love Island contestants on the one-off ITV series, eventually won by former TOWIE star Megan McKenna.
So here MailOnline takes a look at who Brahim Fouradi is and the cheating scandal that unfolded:
The shock news of Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott’s split came this week as it was revealed the entertainment power couple had called it quits on their five-year relationship
Who is Brahim Fouradi?
Brahim is well known in the music industry and because of his vast experience, over the years he has been involved in talent shows such as The X Factor.
He has since left Syco and now lives and works in Holland.
Before working behind the scenes, Brahim and his brother Mohamed first made music themselves as the duo Fouradi from 2005-2012.
He then founded a management agency with his brother representing artists such as Bilal Wahib, Frenna, Josylvio, Kevin, Lijpe, Zoë Tauran and hit producer and songwriter, Project Money (Carlos Vrolijk).
Prior to working as an artist manager, Brahim held a role as A&R Consultant at Sony Music and was Head of Music at X Factor NL.
He then started working at Cowell’s Syco Entertainment, where he was appointed International A&R Manager of Syco and was involved in the X Factor UK, Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent.
Ultimately, Brahim was promoted to A&R Director at Syco Entertainment.
In addition to being a songwriter and artist manager, Brahim is currently active as A&R Director within the major record label Universal Music Group.
The former Love Island star, 28, cheated on him five years ago with a music executive Brahim Fouradi (seen) while appearing on the X Factor
When did the affair happen?
Sam, 32, initially ended his relationship with Zara in wake of her cheating in September 2019.
The subsequent series of Made In Chelsea documented the aftermath as they eventually reconciled.
Sources close to the couple this week said Sam’s family never quite forgave Zara following her fling, despite their attempts to welcome her back into the fold.
The Made in Chelsea star’s protective sister Louise, 34, was the most vocal in her disapproval of Zara and questioned her brother on why he took her back, but agreed, for his sake, to give her a second chance.
Zara is pictured during one of the rehearsals for the X Factor in November 2019 when the affair took place
Sam, 32, initially ended his relationship with Zara in the wake of her shock cheating scandal (seen on the X Factor)
The subsequent series of Made In Chelsea documented the aftermath as they eventually reconciled
But the couple’s relationship failed to last the distance – and they have now officially cut ties just over five years on from her affair.
The news came as no surprise to sources close to the reality stars who believed they did well to last as long as they had following Zara’s infidelity.
A friend told MailOnline: ‘Zara and Sam’s relationship just never had felt like it was heading for the long haul.
‘They never really recovered from Zara’s cheating, most couples would have struggled lasting for as long as they did afterwards.
‘Zara had some big making up to do, especially with Louise, she really wasn’t happy when Sam took her back.
‘But she managed to make it work and they had some great times together again, but it just felt like it was never going to be truly serious.
‘They were delaying the inevitable for several months as they had drifted apart and their lives had become very different.’
Another friend described Zara and Sam as an ‘odd pairing’ and said they didn’t think the pair were that well suited.
Did Sam and Zara stay together?
After the affair came to light they split but eventually reunited.
Speaking to Jamie Laing about her infidelity while appearing on Made In Chelsea in October 2022, Zara said: ‘When it happened I genuinely thought that me and Sam were going to break up, inevitably. I just thought we were hanging on by a tiny thread and we’re going to break up.’
Weeks earlier, Zara issued a grovelling apology once her affair came to light nearly a year after she appeared on the show.
Taking to Instagram Stories, she wrote: ‘A huge mistake I made a year ago has recently come to light and I want to face this head on. I don’t condone being unfaithful and I made a huge mistake at a time in my life where I was hugely selfish and immature.
In November 2020, Sam took Zara back following her heartfelt apologies and in January 2021, the newly back-together couple defied coronavirus rules by flying off to the Maldives
Sam has previously explained of why he took her back: ‘I believe in forgiveness. I understand the context – and I think in any walk of life you can’t move forward unless you forgive’
She continued: ‘I believe I have learnt so much from my mistake. I want to apologise to my Sam for everything I have put him through, for the pain, the embarrassment, the anger and the hurt. All I want to do is make this right and I think the least he deserves is me being honest with myself and all of you. I love you Sam. Forever x’.’
In November 2020, Sam took Zara back following her heartfelt apologies and in January 2021, the newly back-together couple defied coronavirus rules by flying off to the Maldives and later moved inside together in Sam’s Chelsea home.
Why did Sam take Zara back?
Sam has previously explained of why he took her back: ‘I believe in forgiveness. I understand the context – and I think in any walk of life you can’t move forward unless you forgive.
‘Forgiveness allows you to heal. You can only heal when you forgive the other person and get over that.’
He added: ‘I would definitely say no matter what you should always try to forgive and you’ll feel better in yourself – it’s f***ing easier said than done but you’ve got to strive for that.
‘The people I care about caring about me will know we’re all human. We are all human and you can’t grow and evolve and be a better person without making mistakes along the way.
‘For that to be shown on TV, it almost humanises you and makes you more relatable.’
Zara addressed her infidelity in an Instagram post at the time, writing: ‘A huge mistake I made a year ago has recently come to light and I want to face this head on’
The pair are pictured in happier times
Work-wise, the pair have seen their respective careers boom since they’ve been back together, which pals believe was another major factor why they stayed together for so long.
Sam was crowned King of the Jungle in 2023 after winning I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and Zara became the first Love Island star to bag a spot on Strictly Come Dancing the same year.
She finished 10th but her time on the show was later overshadowed by her partner Graziano Di Prima, 30,, who was kicked off the series for verbally and physically abusing Zara after she made a complaint over his behaviour.
Zara, who has also made several documentaries for the BBC, joined Sam in the audience for this year’s series where they supported their close friend Pete Wicks, 37.
What were the signs they had eventually split for good?
Just weeks after they were spotted together in the audience of Strictly, the couple finally called time on their romance having spent New Year apart.
Sam celebrated New Year’s Eve by partying with his ex-Made In Chelsea co-stars Reza Amiri-Garroussi, 36, and Josh Patterson, 34, at London’s Kensington Roof Gardens, downing shots, while Zara spent the evening at home with her cats.
They also had separate Christmases after Sam volunteered for a charity and Zara stayed with her close family in Upminster, Essex.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline: ‘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.’
