Although she kept it glum, Zara appeared a little glum on her outing

STEPPING out in public for the first time since her split from ex-boyfriend Sam Thompson, Zara McDermott looked downcast on an outing.

Zara, who shot to fame on Love Island, and Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson recently ended their five-year-long relationship, with the former Islander spotted looking stoic while getting back to work.

Zara McDermott was seen today in EssexCredit: BackGrid

The former Love Island star appeared glum as she stepped out in public for the first time since her split from Sam ThompsonCredit: BackGrid

Zara seemingly returned to workCredit: BackGrid

Although she appeared downcast, she also seemed to be in good spirits while chatting to a palCredit: BackGrid

Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split up earlier this yearCredit: Getty
Stepping out in public and being photographed for the first time since splitting from Sam, Zara looked straight-faced as she walked around Essex.

Although she looked stoic and slightly downcast, Zara seemed to be in good spirits at some points when she was snapped with pals.

The former Islander was spotted getting back to work in her hometown, with her keeping busy amid her public breakup from Sam.

Zara wrapped up for the chilly weather in a black faux fur coat and some blue jeans, with the reality star rocking a slicked-back hairstyle with her locks tied into a ponytail.

Carrying a cream bag on her shoulder, Zara also completed the chic wintery look with some taupe-coloured Ugg boots and some gold hoop earrings.

When news of their split broke at the start of the year, 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.”

LIVING SEPARATE LIVES

Last week it was reported that the pair were living separate lives for months before their recent split.

“Although they have known it’s been over for a while, Sam and Zara are both devastated and heartbroken that they couldn’t make it work as they had so much love for each other,” a source shared to OK! Magazine in the wake of their split.

The source added that when the couple “had problems” back in the summer, they “vowed to give it one more try” and hoped that they could “work through their issues”.

But the pair’s hopes of remaining together were dashed when it was proven to be impossible due to them being a “different stages in their lives”.

MOVING ON SWIFTLY

This came before we revealed on Sunday that Zara has already moved out of the London pad she shared with Sam.

They split some time before it officially emerged and she is now living apart from him.

A source to The Sun on Sunday on Zara and Sam’s split

A source close to her told The Sun on Sunday: “It’s been a tough time for Zara. The trip to Paris just helped her get away from it all.

“Zara just wants to try to focus on work and get herself together. They split some time before it officially emerged and she is now living apart from him.”

LONELY CHRISTMAS

Zara and Sam, who lived together in a flat in West London, spent Christmas separately after growing apart after five years together.

The reality star was then spotted looking downcast in a posh coffee shop in Putney, South West London, on Christmas Eve.

An onlooker at the time said: “She looked really down. She was just on her own, staring into space.”

Zara was wrapped up warm for the outingCredit: BackGrid

The former Islander was seen laughing and smiling at one pointCredit: BackGrid

Sam and Zara split after five yearsCredit: Getty