Zara McDermott has her ‘best birthday ever’ as she enjoys a cosy weekend away with boyfriend Louis Tomlinson and his sister Lottie

Zara McDermott said she had the ‘best birthday ever’ with boyfriend Louis Tomlinson as she enjoyed a relaxed weekend with sister Lottie and friends.

The former Love Island star chose to celebrate her 29th birthday simply by enjoying winter walks, a delicious dinner and relaxing by the fire.

Zara looked happier than ever as she smiled alongside Louis’ influencer sister Lottie and best friend Charli Paton.

The reality star cut a casual figure in a black long-sleeved top and sweatpants while holding her beautiful two-tiered white birthday cake, complete with red ribbons.

In another photo, Zara looked gorgeous in an off-the-shoulder jumper while carrying a huge bouquet of flowers before donning a winter coat and hat for a walk in the countryside.

The One Direction star also shared a dark photo of Louis taken by the lake during a gorgeous sunset, and then posed for a solo photo against the same gorgeous backdrop.

The former Love Island star chose to celebrate her 29th birthday simply by enjoying winter walks, a delicious dinner and relaxing by the fire.

The TV star also shared that Lottie and her partner Lewis Burton, 32, had a pleasant evening sitting on the sofa without their two children Lucky and 11-month-old daughter Flossy.

Zara wrote: ‘Birthday weekend recap with my favorite people. I feel lucky, festive, relaxed and ready for a Christmas nap.

The influencer also shared a loved-up selfie with Louis during a winter walk on Sunday, writing: ‘Best birthday ever with you ❤️ and the last year of my 20s!!’

This sweet birthday post comes just hours after Sam Thompson finally made it Instagram official with his new girlfriend, Talitha Balinska, after confirming the romance earlier this month.

Made In Chelsea star Sam, 33, went public with his new relationship at the beginning of December while throwing shade at his ex.

After months of dating, Sam decided to make successful London DJ Talitha, 25, his girlfriend; The duo was initially founded by Sam’s friend and business partner Reza Amiri-Garroussi.

On Saturday night, Sam shared a new photo on his Instagram account; She was all smiles alongside the musician as they posed for a gorgeous photo during a dinner date in London.

Meanwhile, Zara was preparing for her 29th birthday celebrations with her new boyfriend, former One Direction star Louis, on social media and shared a photo with her smiling TV star beau just hours after her ex’s post.

The reality star cut a casual figure in a black long-sleeved top and tracksuit bottoms while holding her beautiful two-tiered white birthday cake with a red ribbon

The One Direction star also shared a dark photo of Louis taken by the lake during a gorgeous sunset, then posed for a solo photo against the same picturesque backdrop.

Zara looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder jumper while carrying a huge bouquet of flowers before donning a winter coat and hat for a walk in the countryside.

The TV star also shared a sweet snap of Lottie and partner Lewis Burton, 32, relaxing on the sofa as they enjoyed an evening without their two children Lucky and Flossy.

Zara enjoyed a fabulous dinner with Louis and friends

Zara is all smiles in the woodland while wearing a warm long fur coat

The Love Island star-turned-documentary maker moved on with the musician after a series of dates in March, and their relationship has been going from strength to strength since they officially confirmed they were an item in August.

Zara and Sam had been together for about five years; The duo became official in May 2019 and later broke up in December 2024.

While Sam was in a relationship with Zara at the time, they recently reconnected after he was invited as a surprise guest to Talitha’s live show at the O2 Arena and, as a source told the Daily Mail, ‘the rest is history’.

Speaking to his best friend Pete during an episode of the Staying Relevant podcast, the TV personality announced that he is officially off the market once again.

He said excitedly: ‘I have a girlfriend. ‘I have a girlfriend!’ As Pete quipped: ‘We’ve lost him to the dark forces of a woman again.’

When probed for details of the moment he asked Talitha that fateful question, Sam insisted: ‘Man, he was so relieved. It was really boring, but that’s how I wanted it to be.

‘We went to dinner and I said, ‘I really like you.’ And I said, “I’d love to be your boyfriend.” I don’t know why I’m panicking even more now!’

He continued: “Yeah, I just said, ‘Look, I really, really like you and you make me feel really… comfortable.’ I feel like I can be myself around you. I don’t want to date anyone else. I’m 33, I wouldn’t date someone for this long if I didn’t think they had long legs. So, will you be my girlfriend?’ And she said, ‘yes.’ And I said, ‘great.’

He kept warm with his winter hat while relaxing on a wooden bench in the countryside

Impact also enjoyed a ‘happy birthday’ dessert

Zara wrote: ‘Birthday weekend recap with my favorite people. ‘I feel lucky, festive, relaxed and ready for a Christmas nap’

It comes after Zara’s ex Sam confirmed his romance with Talitha Balinska at the beginning of December and shared a new photo beaming alongside the DJ on Instagram on Saturday.

Zara and Sam had been together for about five years; The duo became official in May 2019 and later broke up in December 2024.

Pete was quick to congratulate his friend and told him how much progress Sam had made in the year since last Christmas, when his five-year romance with Zara ended.

He said: ‘Listen, we’re all so proud of you and delighted that the year has come full circle’, while Sam echoed: ‘Christmas is back! ‘I’m happy.’

In a sign of how well their relationship has already developed, Sam showed just how close he has become to Talitha’s family by revealing that he plans to take her skiing with his sister Louise Thompson and her fiancé Ryan Libbey in the New Year.

Made In Chelsea star Louise, 35, gave her brother’s new girlfriend her seal of approval in October when she shared a photo of Talitha and Sam roasting marshmallows with her and four-year-old son Leo.

But when Pete asked if he was planning to go Instagram official with Talitha, Sam made a slight reference to his ex-girlfriend, saying: ‘I don’t think it’s necessary.’

As Pete explains: ‘I just want to confirm that there won’t be a photo of the cats, you and Peep [Talitha] ‘In Santa’s grotto in Christmas pajamas?’

Sam and Zara have frequently shared Instagram content together throughout their relationship, and one Christmas they wore matching festive pajamas and posed in front of the tree with their pet cats Albus and Cedric.

But Sam insisted to Pete that he had no intention of doing the same to Talitha, saying: ‘I’ve done it before and this time I want to do the opposite…’