Strictly’s Zara McDermott looked nothing short of sensational as she took to the glitzy dance floor for the first time on Saturday. 

The Love Island star, 26, sent temperatures soaring in a sparkly white mini dress which featured racy cut outs and showcased her gorgeous figure in all it’s glory. 

Her dress boasted a ruffle skirt and metallic applique for the sexy cha cha with pro partner Graziano Di Prima, 29.

Zara was supported from the sidelines by boyfriend Sam Thompson, 31, and his pal and former TOWIE star Pete Wicks, 35, who both donned quirky shirts with her face.

The judges disagreed over the performance which eventually scored a disappointing 19 points.

Craig Revel Horwood said: ‘It was a bit ploddy and wooden, but I can see the intention was there.’

But Shirley Ballas was having none of it and added: ‘Don’t listen to Craig, I don’t think he’s had his dinner darling, you were lovely.’

It comes after Zara McDermott admitted years of trolling have left her feeling insecure.

The influencer found fame aged 21, on the 2018 series of the reality show Love Island, spending days being filmed wearing skimpy swimwear, while flirting with other singletons. 

In a new interview, Zara has explained how she plans to ‘channel the confident bikini babe from Love Island’ when she’s on Strictly.

She confessed she ‘never had those feelings of lack of confidence’ when she was in the Love Island villa, but struggled in the aftermath with people commenting on how she looks. 

Zara also admitted she’s trying to change little the voice inside her head from a worrying one to a confident, reassuring one.

Zara told The Sun: ‘I’m fighting for this — so I’ll channel the confident bikini babe from Love Island when I’m on the Strictly dancefloor.

‘I’m trying to live my 21-year-old, no-care attitude and channel the inner confidence I think is key for this show.

‘From being in this industry 100 per cent, all of a sudden lots of people are commenting on how you look and stuff like that.’

‘I didn’t give any thought to wearing a bikini in front of the nation when I was on Love Island, I was 21 and at that age you just do it. I never had those feelings of lack of confidence back then.’

She also added that her boyfriend, Made In Chelsea star Sam, has been ‘amazing’ throughout her Strictly training.