Strictly star Zara McDermott's sweet nod to grandparents as they cheer her on in the audience

Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott has made a name for herself in the documentary world - however, Love Island fans will remember that she originally took part in the fourth series of the hit ITV2 reality show. While it's been five years since Zara stepped into the Love Island villa, the 26-year-old has said that she's "a completely different person" today but isn't "ashamed" of her reality TV past. Speaking to OK! in an exclusive interview, Zara said that she's "grateful, humbled and flattered" to be Strictly's first Love Island contestant.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima has opened up about his family back in Italy, revealing that they've only watched the live show once in the five years he's been in the cast. The 29-year-old made his debut in series 16 alongside radio presenter Vick Hope and has since been partnered with Judi Love, Kym Marsh and this year's Zara McDermott.

Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott spoke about her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima's 'bad breath' during their appearance on Strictly: It Takes Two.The duo jokily explained on Monday's programme, 16 October, how they managed to improve the contestant's frame in a ballroom dance Reflecting on how nervous she'd been to get back on the dance floor after being in the dance-off in week three of the BBC One competition, Zara was all smiles as she talked about how incredible she'd found it returning to the ballroom dances once more. Chatting to presenter Fleur East about the experience, Love Island beauty Zara admitted that Graziano had had to use some unconventional methods to get her ready for the dance in training. "He gave me this advice last week," the reality TV star and documentarian giggled.

Strictly Come Dancing fans couldn't help but trigger an age-old debate relating to the hit dance show as the latest results were revealed. Week four of the BBC One competition saw Layton Williams smash this year's record by achieving the highest score of the series so far.

Gorka Marquez made a much-welcomed return to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom during the latest results show despite being axed from the competition. The Spanish dancer said a sad farewell last weekend when he and celebrity dance partner Nikita Kanda were the second couple to be eliminated.

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left sharing a complaint as they spotted Kym Marsh in the audience. The former Coronation Street star was in the ballroom on Saturday night (October 14) but luckily for her, she didn't have to compete following her own stint on the show last year.

Jody Cundy and his professional dance partner Jowita Przystal will be performing the Salsa to Samba de Janeiro by Bellini on Saturday night. The pair have so far avoided the dreaded dance-off but bookies think week four will mark the end of Jody's Strictly Come Dancing journey.

Zara McDermott has revealed she was "gutted" after being in the Strictly dance off last week.The Strictly Come Dancing star, who is partnered up with Graziano Di Prima, has pleaded with fans to vote for her this week, so she can avoid being in the bottom two again.The 26-year-old, who found fame on Love Island, posted the appeal to her 1.8 million Instagram followers. Last week, the now documentary presenter took part in the dance-off against presenter Nikita Kanda and her dance partner Gorka Márquez.

Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima's days are numbered in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom, according to ex-pro Brendan Cole.The pair are fast approaching Halloween Week after three incrementally improving routines together, but while speaking to Sky Bingo, Brendan, 47, argued that Made in Chelsea star Zara, 26, doesn't quite cut the mustard when it comes to genuine dancing talent. "I'm not expecting much more from Zara McDermott. I'm not expecting a lot because she's not a dancer.

Strictly Come Dancing's former professional dancer Brendan Cole has opened up and brutally slammed former Love Island star Zara McDermott and said she needs a "miracle" to make it through the elimination this weekend. Last weeks competition saw Zara McDermott and her pro dancer Graziano Di Prima in the bottom two couples along with Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez, who all danced for survival. Zara and Graziano performed their Paso Doble to The Puss Suite from Puss In Boots, while Nikita and Gorka did their Jive to Kids In America from Clueless again in a bid to remain in the competition All of the judges opted to save Zara, however Brendan has now claimed the star isn't going to progress "much further" in the dance competition, unless a "miracle happens".

Zara McDermott and dance partner Graziano Di Prima, have been getting on like a house on fire. But their relationship now appears to have hit a bump in the road – and it's all because of a bowl of pasta. Taking to Instagram Stories, former Love Island star Zara made demands for different types of pasta.

Strictly Come Dancing is renowned for the pressure and hard work of the celebrity contestants, many of whom have little to no dancing experience when they join the battle for the glitterball trophy. And now the partner of Zara McDermott has spoken out about how it feels when you've been in the bottom two, shining a light on how difficult it can be to bounce back.

The second celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing has been confirmed following a tense dance-off. All 14 couples took to the dance floor on Saturday, 7 October, as movie week hit the studio, but it went better for some than others.This week, it was time for a new leader on the leader board as TV presenter Angela Scanlon and her partner Carlos Gu scored an impressive 35 out of 40.

Strictly Come Dancing fans were shocked after contestant Zara McDermott was caught out treating a foot callus. Boyfriend and reality star Sam Thompson, shared a video clip on Instagram of his partner using an electric callus remover on the bed.

Reality star Sam Thompson has slammed his girlfriend Zara McDermott as a 'terrible dancer' as she made her live Strictly Come Dancing debut.

Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott has said that she is "struggling" to spend time with her boyfriend, Sam Thompson, as a result of her schedule for the programme.The former Love Island star, who is dancing with Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima, has admitted that they are training for 11 hours a day as they look to progress through the competition. She also confessed that due to Sam having a radio show in the evenings, when she finally gets home from rehearsals, she is left to practise either on her own or with their cats. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 26 year old said: "Sam does his radio show every evening, so when I come home from training, he's at work so I rehearse on my own or use one of the cats.

Zara McDermott and her partner Graziano Di Prima are “potential winners” of Strictly Come Dancing thanks to their “great rapport”, a body language expert said. The 26 year old ex-Love Island star and the 29 year old pro dancer have a lot of respect for each other and shared “tactile moments” during their debut routine on Saturday, Darren Stanton said. Earlier this week, OK! revealed how Zara was putting her all into winning Strictly - even if it meant spending time apart from boyfriend Sam Thompson.

Sam Thompson has made the effort to "really get to know" his girlfriend's Strictly Come Dancing partner. Zara McDermott, who Sam has been dating since 2019, is taking part in this year's BBC dancing competition. Ahead of the live shows, TV personality and Made in Chelsea star, Sam wanted to get to Zara's partner professional Graziano Di Prima and his wife, Giada Lini.

Zara McDermott has spent 10 hours a day in the rehearsal studio ahead of her Strictly Come Dancing debut.The 26-year-old presenter and documentary maker will be taking to the dance floor for the first time tonight on the BBC. Despite being in the capable hands of her partner, Graziano Di Prima, Zara's mum has said that she will be "nervous" to be dancing the cha cha to Crush by Jennifer Paige.

This year's Strictly Come Dancing celebrities are in a WhatsApp chat together, revealed Zara McDermott's mum. Zara, who first found fame on Love Island, has put her dancing shoes on as she will be taking part in the 21st series of BBC competition.The 26-year-old, who is now a presenter and documentary maker, has been paired with Graziano Di Prima and will do the cha cha to Crush by Jennifer Paige on the first live show tonight (Saturday, September 23).