Zara McDermott confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing as first ever Love Island star to appear
ZARA McDermott will make history as the first-ever Love Island star to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing.
BBC documentary-maker Zara is hitting pause on her presenting career to learn how to dance.
The 26-year-old shot to fame on ITV2‘s Love Island five years ago and has successfully made a name for herself in broadcasting.
But Zara admitted on BBC Radio One on Monday afternoon that she’s preparing to push herself out of comfort zone, having had “zero” dance experience.
“Strictly is such a far cry from my day job,” she said.
“I’ve spent the last three years making documentaries in a very small team, but Strictly is live. You cannot make a mistake, you have ‘one take’ only.
“This is just so far out of my comfort zone. I’ve spent the whole of my 20s pushing myself out of my comfort zone, but this is the pinnacle now.
“I have zero dance experience. I don’t even dance in a nightclub – I’m that petrified of dancing.”
Zara announced she’s headed to the famous dancefloor on BBC Radio One’s Going Home with Vick Hope and Jamie Laing, who have both competed on the show.
Until now, no other Love Islander has been asked to compete on Strictly after bosses relaxed its reality star ban.
Before going on TV to find love back in 2018, Zara was a government policy advisor, working for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department of Education.
After Love Island she competed on The X Factor: Celebrity. alongside Eyal Booker, Samira Mighty and Wes Nelson in group No Love Lost.
She moved into presenting with entertainment show Love In The Flesh on BBC Three.
Zara added: “I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly.
“I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan.
“We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.
“I even remember the first ever series, and being mesmerised by all the beautiful dresses.
“I can’t wait to throw myself into this experience and start training. It’s going to be incredible.”
Zara is the seventh celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly bosses previously had a blanket ban on fame hungry-reality stars ever appearing on the show.
More recently, they opened up casting to famous YouTubers like Joe Suggs.
She joins the likes of Strictly’s oldest-ever star Angela Rippon and Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington.
Zara has spent the past three years making documentaries that inspire conversation and educate young people, saying reporting on hard-hitting issues is her real passion.
Her most well-known films include Revenge Porn, Uncovering Rape Culture, Disordered Eating, and Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge.
Zara’s work for young people has been recognised on several occasions; she was invited to Clarence House by the Duchess of Cornwall and Refuge charity and worked with the Duchess on a visit to a SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre).
Alongside this, she has worked with the government and the Home Office on several campaigns to end violence against women and girls, most famously fronting a campaign that changed the law for victims of digital abuse.
Zara is also an ambassador for the ‘Shaping Us’ campaign for the Centre of Early Childhood, which was launched by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales.
She lives with her Love Island podcast host boyfriend Sam Thompson in a £2million townhouse next to his sister Louise.
They’ve been in a relationship since 2019.