Before the Christmas holidays, Zara recorded her message, detailing how her father is coping at home and the emotional impact the surgery has had on him. The update offers a glimpse into the personal challenges her family is facing, highlighting the often unseen toll major medical procedures can have on individuals and their loved ones.

The former Love Island star turned TV presenter, 29, gave the worrying health update on Alan, 63, during her Christmas vlog.

Recording the video before the festive day, Zara revealed he underwent surgery for a knee replacement and has been slowly recovering at home.

Speaking from her car, she told fans: ‘Later on this evening I am going to be going to my mum and dad’s because my dad has just had a knee replacement surgery and I haven’t seen him since the surgery.

‘I wanted to go and see him and my mom was like, “why don’t we do just an early little like Christmas thing?”‘

Zara continued: ‘I am going to be home for a couple of days through the Christmas period but not on Christmas Day.

Zara McDermott has revealed her father is in a ‘pretty bad way’ after being left ‘traumatised’ following major surgery

Zara has a close relationship with her father, and earlier this year brought him to Wimbledon as her plus one for a day out together (pictured together in July) 

‘This is the last time I’m going to see my mum and dad before Christmas.

‘My dad has been in a pretty bad way with his knee replacement and all of that jazz. It’s been really quite traumatic for him and he has been in and out of surgeries year.

‘I feel like it’s really got him down. So hopefully some nice presents and some family time today will cheer him up.’

According to the NHS, it can take up to six months for significant heeling following knee replacement surgery, with a full recovery time of up to two years.

Zara has a close relationship with her father, and earlier this year brought him to Wimbledon as her plus one for a day out together. 

Earlier this month Zara celebrated her 29th birthday, which she said was the ‘best ever’ after being whisked away by her boyfriend Louis Tomlinson.

They were also joined for the lowkey trip with his sister Lottie and her friends. 

Zara casual figure in a black long sleeve top and tracksuit bottoms as she held her pretty white two-tier birthday cake complete with red ribbons.

Zara said: ‘I feel like it’s really got him down. So hopefully some nice presents and some family time today will cheer him up’

Earlier this month Zara celebrated her 29th birthday, which she said was the ‘best ever’ after being whisked away by her boyfriend Louis Tomlinson 

In another snap, Zara looked stunning in an off the shoulder jumper as she carried a huge bouquet of flowers before wrapping up in a winter coat and hat for a country walk.

She also shared a dark picture of One Direction star Louis during a gorgeous sunset by a lake before beaming for a solo snap with the same picturesque backdrop.

Zara had shared her birthday post just hours after her ex Sam Thompson publicly confirmed his new relationship with influencer Talitha Balinska.

The documentary maker moved on with Louis after a string of dates in March, and their relationship has been going from strength-to-strength since they confirmed they were officially an item back in August.