Zara McDermott has found herself on the receiving end of criticism from several I’m A Celebrity fans after she shared a clip of the moment boyfriend Sam Thompson won the ITV series.
Thompson was crowned King of the Jungle by Ant and Dec on Sunday evening after he pipped Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage to the top spot in the finale.
The Made in Chelsea star was delighted to have won the series and shared an embrace with best pal Pete Wicks at the end of the bridge as he celebrated his win.
McDermott remained in the UK, however, as she explained during a recent podcast interview that her Strictly stint meant she was unable to commit to flying to Australia.
Due to the notice ITV bosses had to be given, Thompson ended up nominating Wicks to fly out with him but given McDermott was booted off of Strictly back in late October, some fans aren’t impressed that McDermott didn’t make the trip Down Under.
After McDermott shared a clip of her alongside friends and family celebrating Thompson’s win, a number of people shared their thoughts.
One person hit out: “I would fly to the moon to support my partner. No matter what. But I guess we are all different. Felt sorry for Sam tho have to be honest.”
“How come Pete went there and not you?” a second probed while a third slammed McDermott’s reaction in the clip: “Would be nice if Zara hugged the person taking the video than just screaming in the video for content in that moment.”
On X, formerly Twitter, fans continued to question McDermott’s absence as one user wrote: “I wonder why Zara couldn’t be in Australia, I wouldn’t give up the chance of the trip with luxury hotel and then Sam at the end of it.”
And another sympathised with Thompson: “It was so sad that Zara wasn’t allowed time out of her busy schedule to be there to celebrate with her boyfriend Sam.”
However, McDermott was defended by some followers who hit back at those slamming the decision to stay put in the UK.
One of McDermott’s fans hit back: “This is one of the most happiest positive posts I’ve ever seen for someone winning! Sam Thompson deserves it because he is everything that all the people commenting say he is!
“That in this day and age is quite an accolade so love to his family and his Mum… Anyone with nasty comments, sarcasm, anything other than positivity this page isn’t for you!” (sic)
McDermott’s Strictly journey came to a close in Week Five of this year’s series after she and pro partner Graziano di Prime lost out to Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk in the dance-off.
Zara McDermott celebrated with friends and family
INSTAGRAM/ZARA MCDERMOTT
She broke down in tears at the time and said during her exit interview: “I have had the time of my life. Just to be here is incredible. Thank you to the judges and my amazing partner obviously.
“My fellow contestants are just incredible. It has been the most amazing experience. I can’t believe it’s over but I am going to be here in spirit every week supporting them.”
The BBC dance competition is now just days away from its grand finale as Layton Williams, Ellie Leach and Bobby Brazier compete to lift the Glitterball Trophy.
As it stands, Leach is the odds-on frontrunner to win the series but new data has emerged to suggest Williams could pip her to the accolade.
