Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson has had a heartbreaking personal life while juggling fame as he remains focus on raising his son and welcoming Zara McDermott17:30, 18 Mar 2025Updated 17:30, 18 Mar 2025Louis Tomlinson has tried to keep his family life away from the public eye(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)One Direction star Louis Tomlinson lives a quiet life away from the public eye, yet his new romance has taken centre stage. The singer has struck up a surprise romance with former Love Island star Zara McDermott.They have already enjoyed a series of secret dates before being pictured in public earlier this week. Louis and newly single Zara were spotted on a cosy “date” at a swanky restaurant at a hotel in Suffolk where onlookers said they were all smiles throughout their time at a stunning eatery.During their dinner, it’s claimed Louis was the “proper gentleman” towards Zara, who split from Sam Thompson at the start of the year. While neither Zara nor Louis have commented on the rumoured romance, it seems she has been welcomed into the Tomlinson family with open arms. Louis’ twin sisters Daisy and Phoebe, 20, as well as his older sister Lottie have already made Zara their social media friends.The pop star grew up in a large blended family in Doncaster with seven siblings, who he is very close to. However, it hasn’t always been easy as Louis’ mum Johannah ‘Jay’ Deakin married Mark Tomlinson after splitting with Louis’ biological father Troy Austin – who he has no contact with.Louis’ mum died from leukaemia aged 43(Image: Getty Images)Mark and Johannah welcomed Louis’ sisters Lottie, Felicite, Phoebe and Daisy before they split in 2011. His mum went on to marry Dan Deakon and welcomed fraternal twins, Ernest and Doris. Devastatingly, the family suffered the tragic loss of Johannah, who died from leukaemia aged 43.Just over two years after losing his mum, Louis’ sister Felicite died from an accidental overdose. Felicite, who was affectionately named Fizzy, was just 18 at the time and was working as a model and aspiring fashion designer. Speaking to The Guardian, Louis said: “‘That whole dark side I’ve gone through, it sounds stupid to say, but it gives me strength everywhere else in my life because that’s the darkest s**t that I’m going to have to deal with.”So it makes everything else…not feel easier and not less important, but in the grand scheme of things, you see things for what they are.” When Louis was 24-years-old, he welcomed his son Freddie with Briana Jungwirth in 2016. Things fizzled out between the couple, yet Louis has remained focused on co-parenting and keeping his son away from the spotlight.Freddie, nine, lives in the US with his mum and Louis gave a glimpse of parenthood in the 2023 documentary All Of Those Voices. Louis spends every moment he is off work with his son and balances life between the UK and America. He told Fabulous Magazine that having Freddie at 24 had been ‘unexpected’ and forced him to ‘grow up very quickly.’Louis’ sisters seem to approve of Zara(Image: Instagram/ @the.daisytomlinson)Louis said: “It was another one of them moments — being faced with the reality of a situation and having to step up. It was a very maturing time in my life. And, again, I’ve kind of got between two head spaces. I’m the responsible dad and brother some days and other days I’m still the reckless idiot chav I used to be. I’m still trying to work out a happy medium.”Despite being part of the biggest boyband in the world, Louis has only had a handful of relationships that have been made public. Prior to finding fame, Louis dated Hannah Walker in March 2010. However, the couple decided to split just one year later due to the strain of a long distance relationship when he was catapulted to fame.Louis started dating Eleanor in 2011, with the pair later becoming the “it couple.” However, Louis and Eleanor split in March 2015. Louis embarked on a romance with Briana in May 2015 and welcomed son Freddie together, but they ended up splitting.It wasn’t the ending of his relationship with Eleanor, however, as the pair reunited with one another in 2017 and even headed to Glastonbury festival with one another that summer. Yet things were just not meant to be between the pair.READ MORE: Olaplex’s ‘perfect’ smoothing duo worth £56 is currently on sale for £34 in limited-time offerLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
