The image had a glimpse of Tomlinson’s signature cross tattoo in the upper-left corner of the Stories, recognizable to any fan.

Fans online were quick to react to the sneaky soft-launch of their relationship. “zara knew what she was doing by posting that story with louis arm on it, believe me us ( girls ) watch every detail of a pic before posting it on our story haha,” one person wrote on “I’m so happy for louis and zara. genuinely. i am,'” another said.

Romance rumors had been swirling about Tomlinson, 33, and McDermott, 28, following a romantic getaway to Aldeburgh, Suffolk, in March per

 that they both posted on their Instagram Stories about being in the same location in the crowd at the Stereophonics concert at the Wiltern Theatre on Tuesday, April 8.

McDermott previously dated British television personality Sam Thompson for five years and model Eleanor Calder on and off from 2011 to 2022, Briana Jungwirt in 2015 and Danielle Campbell in 2016.

McDermott rose to fame in 2018 when she was featured on the fourth season of Love Island. Other credits include The X Factor: Celebrity and Made in Chelsea.

The singer was part of in 2015 and has since put out two solo albums, Walls and Faith of the Future.

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In March, Tomlinson’s rep said that the singer “could never” participate in a One Direction reunion following the

“Louis just despairs. He could never get up there and sing as part of the band after what has happened,” the representative said, per