Strictly Come Dancing has been engulfed in another training scandal, with reports of Graziano Di Prima’s verbally and physically abusing his dance partner Zara McDermott.
In the wake of Giovanni Pernice’s ‘bullying’ scandal, producers have stepped in and sacked Italian dancer Graziano for his conduct, with the professional admitting in a statement that he ‘deeply regrets the events’ that led to his exit.
It has since emerged that show bosses were made aware of Graziano’s conduct at the time by production staff and quietly issued warnings to the dancer in response.
The news has come as a shock to many, as Graziano, 30, and Love Island star Zara, 27, appeared to be firm friends during the process.
Indeed, the pair hinted at many squabbles and disagreements in the rehearsal rooms, but these were turned into humorous TikTok videos.
Strictly Come Dancing has been engulfed in another training scandal, with reports of Graziano Di Prima ‘s verbally and physically abusing his dance partner Zara McDermott
Since allegations emerged that Graziano ‘kicked and hit’ Zara during rehearsals, these videos have been viewed in a different light.
On September 19, Zara shared a humorous video in which she claimed the professional had compared her to a ‘camel’.
Sharing a video of the pair at lunch, she added audio from an episode of The Kardashians, in which Kourtney and Khloe were rowing.
Graziano was seen as Kourtney Kardashian was heard saying: ‘I think you take things really sensitvely and that’s fine, I just need to not make those jokes with you.’
It then cut to Zara as Khloe Kardashian replied: ‘No, I think they’re just rude.’
As the camera panned back to Graziano, Kourtney said: ‘Well to me it’s a joke but to you it’s rude so I wont make them.’
Zara captioned the video: ‘When I get upset after he told me I dance like a camel.’
Three days later, Zara poked fun at Graziano not giving her time to take a break, sharing a video of herself eating a sandwich while the dancer looked exasperated and declared: ‘We haven’t got time!’
Since allegations emerged that Graziano ‘kicked and hit’ Zara during rehearsals, their humorous ‘bickering’ videos have been viewed in a different light
The following month, Zara joked that the pair had been rowing about food as she shared a clip of herself hiding from Graziano behind a curtain alongside audio footage
The following month, Zara joked that the pair had been rowing about food.
She shared a clip of herself hiding from Graziano behind a curtain alongside audio footage from an iconic scene on This Morning in 2010.
In the audio, Holly Willoughby suggested that if Gino D’Acampo added ham to his pasta dish it would be like a carbonara, prompting him to respond: ‘If my grandmother had wheels, she would have been a bike.’
Zara captioned the clip: ‘POV you’re talking to an Italian about pasta.’
Days before the pair were eliminated from the show in week six, Zara playfully bickered with Graziano as she revealed the intense training schedule had taken its toll, leaving her suffering from extreme exhaustion and sleeping on the floor.
After Graziano shared a video of Zara napping she was quick to hit back by claiming she had done ‘double the workload’ of her professional partner.
As the Italian dancer revealed: ‘She asked me 5 minutes break @zaramcdermott’, Zara reposted the clip by adding: ‘I think I’ve clocked about 50k steps already today with this routine. Give me a break pls?’
She later shared a selfie of herself heading to rehearsals that she captioned: ‘Graz just had the audacity to call me and tell me his legs hurt after rehearsals yesterday when he spent 50% of the day sitting down and analysing me doing the routine on my own.
‘HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL MATE @grazianodiprima.’
Three days later, Zara poked fun at Graziano not giving her time to take a break, sharing a video of herself eating a sandwich while the dancer looked exasperated
Days before the pair were eliminated from the show in week six, Zara playfully bickered with Graziano as she revealed the intense training schedule had taken its toll
After Graziano shared a video of Zara napping she was quick to hit back by claiming she had done ‘double the workload’ of her professional partner
Graziano was quick to defend himself, posting a video as he explained: ‘I just want to reply about Zara’s story saying that I was seated. I am seated but I am still working correcting her.’
Zara then chipped in: ‘I did double the workload to you yesterday and you have the audacity to say your legs hurt!’
As Graziano responded: ‘who has been correcting you?’ Zara hit back with ‘who’s been doing the work?’ but conceded when Graziano added: ‘who’s making you perfect?’
Ultimately, the pair’s Strictly journey came to an end that week, with the duo being eliminated after losing the dance off to Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk.
Speaking about her experience, Zara said on the results show: ‘I have had the time of my life. Just to be here is incredible. Thank you to the judges and my amazing partner obviously.
‘My fellow contestants are just incredible. It has been the most amazing experience. I can’t believe it’s over but I am going to be here in spirit every week supporting them.’
Meanwhile, Graziana told his dance partner that he was ‘so proud’ of her and said she is what Strictly ‘is all about’.
He said: ‘She has been great for me 8am till 9pm. Never stopping, asking just for a half an hour break.
‘She is literally what Strictly is all about. A real novice, coming in, putting all the hard job.
‘You have such a good soul. You are so humble and I say thank you that I found a friend like you. I have learnt so much from you. And your hard work within six weeks.
‘You have never danced before. I am so proud of you. So proud of you honestly.’
The pair’s Strictly journey came to an end on Halloween week, with the duo being eliminated after losing the dance off to Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
Graziano later shared a gushing post about his relationship with Zara and she in turn posted about their ‘unbreakable bond’ in a post that she has since deleted
He later took to Instagram to share a snap of their Halloween Charleston, penning: ‘THIS PICTURE SAYS IT ALL!! You are what Strictly is all about, with humbleness, zero ego, rehearsing 12 hours per day.
You went trough pain, lots of .. AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN!! Never complained, always pushing yourself to learn more! YOU DID IT! Six week in the competition for a person that has never danced before!! ❤️
‘It’s a massive achievement, you have grown so much, in confidence and also in dancing!!
‘THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING ME ! I’m so proud of you!! So proud to call you my friend!! ❤️’
Zara also shared a gushing post about her time on the show and her partner.
In the caption, she shared: ‘From the day I met you Graz, you told me every day that I am strong, beautiful and confident. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I know that we were meant to be friends for life.
‘You have taught me so much about myself and our laughter every single day has brought me so much joy. I never got bored of spending over 12 hours a day with you, and your work ethic has inspired me beyond words.
‘You made me believe in myself in those moments that I absolutely didn’t and the bond we have built is truly an unbreakable one.’
Zara has since deleted the post. However, she still has pictures and videos with Graziano on her feed.
Graziano shared a statement reading: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime’
Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the Love Island star was victim to repeated physical and verbal abuse behind the scenes of the Saturday night show.
And as more details have emerged, public support for Graziano has dwindled, with one of his pals even quietly deleted a praising comment to him.
It had been said that BBC bosses acted swiftly once made aware of Graziano’s ‘abusive’ actions towards Zara, after reviewing video evidence and speaking to the reality star.
However, it has now been alleged that complaints had already been raised in the autumn, but bosses did not take any serious action.
According to The Sun, they were presented with video of Graziano’s actions on Thursday, before speaking to Zara ahead of the weekend and finally sacking the Italian on Monday.
A source told the publication: ‘Graziano has held up his hands and admits his behaviour was extreme and unacceptable. He knows there is no return and quite rightly. Yet why was no action taken sooner to nip this situation in the bud?
‘Graziano feels if he had received proper support and some sort of anger management training, an escalation could have been prevented.
‘For the Beeb’s part, Graziano was not the only dancer being spoken to and they had absolutely no idea about the alleged kicking — which it is claimed happened twice — and as soon as they were alerted, they took decisive action and fired him.’
They added: ‘Graziano is in bits. He is being monitored 24/7 by his wife Giada and mum who has moved in to take care of him.
‘This whole Strictly fiasco is getting increasingly toxic, and the BBC finds itself trying to complete an investigation while overseeing duty of care to all.’
While a BBC insider insisted: ‘There was no procrastinating. The video evidence was completely and utterly undeniable.
‘It only showed one incident, but it quickly became apparent from talking to Zara that verbal and physical abuse allegedly took place multiple times. She was incredibly brave.’
Both Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson have since unfollowed Graziano, but she still follows his wife, Giada Lini (Zara and Sam pictured)
Fellow Italian Giada, who also danced as a professional on Strictly, has yet to speak out about her husband’s untimely departure (pictured with Graziano)
As more shocking allegations have come to light over Graziano’s sacking, there has been a marked difference in public support for him.
Previously, his fans and famous friends had rallied behind him, including fellow Strictly stars Katya Jones, Susannah Constantine and Catherine Tyldesley, who liked and commented on his Instagram post announcing his departure.
However, Catherine – who was partnered with Johannes Radebe in the show in 2019 – has now removed one of her more supportive comments.
The Corrie star originally wrote: ‘What noooo’ before adding: ‘You are the kindest, incredibly talented, most gentle man… I’m so sorry. Sending you so much love x’.
But now the second gushing comment has been deleted, with only the first remaining on Graziano’s post.
The message on Graziano’s Instagram reads: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’
Meanwhile, both Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson have since unfollowed Graziano, but she still follows his wife, Giada Lini.
Fellow Italian Giada, who also danced as a professional on Strictly, has yet to speak out about her husband’s untimely departure.
It is the latest blow suffered by the BBC show as allegations against fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice are still being investigated amid his ‘bullying’ row with Amanda Abbington
It is the latest blow suffered by the BBC show, which is still watched by more than ten million people, as allegations against fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice are still being investigated.
Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with Love Island star Zara but they were eliminated in week six.
He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 he reached the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh.
The complaint was made recently and prompted the BBC to extend the inquiry that was ongoing over claims that Giovanni had bullied his partner Amanda Abbington during training.
