Zara McDermott’s Relationship with Graziano Di Prima Before Shocking Statement amid Strictly Bullying Controversy

Graziano Di Prima was once hailed as ‘the loveliest man’ by Zara McDermott’s boyfriend Sam Thompson.

The professional dancer, 31, is said to have left the documentary maker, 27, so frightened that she ‘locked herself in toilet’ during the ‘scary rehearsal sessions.

But in an unearthed interview, I’m A Celebrity winner Sam, 31, sang the praises of theStrictly dancer.

Speaking on his Hits Radio show in September, he explained: ‘Graziano – what a lovely man!

‘What a beautiful man as well… big muscles, about 6ft 4, jacked and a year younger than me as well which is terrifying.’

He added: ‘He came round for dinner with his lovely, beautiful wife not long ago – we made him spag bol – and we found out loads about him.

Graziano Di Prima was once hailed as ‘the loveliest man’ by Zara McDermott’s boyfriend Sam Thompson.

But professional dancer, 31, is said to have left the documentary maker, 27, so frightened that she ‘locked herself in toilet’ during the ‘scary rehearsal sessions.

‘He grew up in Sicily, he was a grape stomper – I think that’s what they call it!

‘He put a roof over his parents head when he started dancing, he’s got the most amazing story, he’s the loveliest man.’

Sam’s kind words for Graziano came as his girlfriend and the dancer were gearing up to take part in Strictly Come Dancing, but they were eliminated in week six of the show.  

A probe recently  found he ‘punched and kicked’ the former Love Island contestant during rehearsals and she broke her silence with a bombshell statement posted to social media. 

She said: ‘When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it. I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.’

‘And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to worth with.

‘However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredible distressing to watch. 

A probe recently found he ‘punched and kicked’ the former Love Island contestant during rehearsals and she broke her silence with a bombshell statement posted to social media

But in an unearthed clip, Sam has revealed that he and Zara bonded with Graziano while the show was heating up 

Sam and Zara have been together for almost five years and the Made In Chelsea star previously spoke of his admiration for Graziano 

‘I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.’

Meanwhile, just two weeks before he was fired from Strictly,  Graziano gushed over how his wife Giada Lini and Zara had shared a friendship.

And revealing that the couple had socialised with Zara outwith the training studio, Graziano told OK!: ‘We always include our dance partners and go for dinner and get to know each other.’

The dancer had also said that he and Giada were thinking about starting a family in the interview – weeks before he was fired and ‘fled the UK to Italy to start a new life’.