Zara McDermott found herself at the centre of a vicious deep-fake campaign on Tuesday evening after she was pictured accepting a platonic kiss from Joey Essex at a recent event.
The former Love Island contestant, currently in a relationship with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, features alongside seasoned reality TV veteran Essex on the latest series of Cooking With The Stars.
But she inadvertently sparked wild cheating rumours among Tomlinson’s notoriously fickle fanbase after Essex gave her a parting kiss on the cheek as they exited a wrap party.
The innocent exchange has also resulted in the emergence of an unsavoury online deep-fake featuring McDermott, 29, and her co-star locked in a passionate embrace.
The TV personality is yet to comment publicly on the furore, while Tomlinson, 34, is currently on a month long break from touring his third studio album, How Did I Get Here?
Fans have subsequently leapt to the TV personality’s defence after her social media channels were flooded with unfounded accusations of infidelity.
Zara McDermott found herself at the centre of a vicious deep-fake campaign on Tuesday evening after she was pictured accepting a platonic kiss from Joey Essex at a recent event
Taking to Instagram, one follower wrote: ‘You are perfect, beautiful and gorgeous. Never let anyone dim your light. You are the sweetest, best person.
‘Never stop loving Louis Tomlinson because you and he are the best, and what’s more, you are my favourite couple.’
A second added: ‘It definitely takes a lot of courage and grace to say nothing about the rumors and stay silent and not fuel any twisted narrative that people have.
‘They both don’t owe anyone anything. What they do in their own lives is no one’s business. Just because they are famous doesn’t mean they owe us anything.’
While a third wrote: ‘I love your content Zara. I think you are beautiful, I love your cooking content, your documentaries and I’m tired of seeing hurtful comments which I’m sure would get to anyone.
‘Keeping being awesome, people are being negative when they don’t feel good in themselves.’
The TV personality is thought to have struck up a friendship with Essex while filming Cooking With The Stars,
A source close to the former TOWIE star told The Sun: ‘Zara and Joey grew close during filming and have become good friends.
‘They got on really well but it’s all very innocent. There’s nothing romantic there between them.’
According to The Sun, the pair will compete alongside JLS’s JB Gill, Gladiators’ Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, comedian Seann Walsh and Happy Mondays’ Bez.
Scarlett Moffatt, Laura Kenny and Caroline Quentin, former Strictly star Karen Hauer are also apparently in the line-up.
A spokesman for ITV said: ‘The full line up will be announced in due course.’
Fans have subsequently leapt to the TV personality’s defence after her social media channels were flooded with unfounded accusations of infidelity
The TV personality is yet to comment publicly on the furore, while Tomlinson is currently on a month long break from touring his third studio album, How Did I Get Here?
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Zara McDermott receives a sweet kiss from Joey Essex as they leave party
Essex, who is not currently in a public or confirmed romantic relationship, made it to the semi-final of Celebrity Masterchef seven years ago.
McDermott has shared cooking tutorials on her Instagram page in recent years.
The TV personality has been dating Louis, 34, since last year following her split from Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson in 2024 after five years together.
Last month, her secret struggle in their relationship was ‘revealed’ as it was reported she feels like she ‘can’t win’ with his ‘possessive’ fans.
She proved to be his biggest supporter as she travelled with him to Denmark for the latest leg of his world tour.
But McDermott is reportedly facing ‘incessant’ trolling from Louis’s dedicated 1D fan-base and feels she ‘can’t win’ with them – despite being head over heels for the singer.
Sources say she is stuck between a rock and a hard place as she is slammed for ‘following Louis around’ if she goes on tour with him or attacked for ‘not supporting him’ if she doesn’t.
An insider told The Sun: ‘She’s either accused of ‘following’ Louis around the world or is slated for ‘not being a supportive enough girlfriend’.
They went on to report the couple are head over heels for each other and Tomlinson is extremely supportive of his girlfriend, but the singer’s fans are ‘possessive’ and don’t think any girl is good enough to be with him.
‘Unfortunately for Zara, dating Louis comes with incessant trolling from fans who are vocal about their disdain online.
‘It’s hurtful and of course Zara would prefer it didn’t happen, but Louis is so supportive of her.’
