Strictly’s Graziano Di Prima hits back at Zara McDermott over ‘shocking’ end to their friendship
STRICTLY Come Dancing pro Giovanni Pernice has hit back at former BBC show partner Zara McDermott over the “shocking” end to their friendship.
This summer Graziano, 30, was fired by the BBC following claims he hit, spat at and kicked former celebrity partner Zara, 27, during rehearsals.
Graziano, who started his Strictly journey in 2018, was accused of “physical incidents” towards the Love Island alumni.
This prompted Zara to release a full statement on her Instagram page before Graziano moved to his native Sicily to take stock.
The Italian has now told how “these vile, false allegations ruined my life in a matter of minutes — professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally.”
Now in an emotional interview he has hit back at the influencer, who he described as “my friend.”
Talking about the intense training – about which he told Zara she could “trust” him – he told MailOnline: “Those rehearsals were nine months ago.
“I can be strict, I can be passionate. I want my partner to go as far as they can. She wanted that, too.
“You can’t imagine how many times my mind has been going back and forward trying to think of something that happened all those months ago that I can’t figure out.
“The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration. We’d practised hour after hour to perfect a routine with lifts. It wasn’t easy but that’s the pressure of the show.
“I was in pain from lifting her so many times but wanted to get it right. I thought I could save her [from the BBC show’s Dance Off.]
“I wasn’t meaning to kick her. I’d never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor.
“Afterwards I hugged her and said I was sorry. There was no problem. We carried on.”
Previously, a clip appearing to show Zara “passing out” during rehearsals resurfaced.
The pair often featured on each other’s social media, performing a range of TikTok skits and videos off-air.
Graziano Di Prima - Strictly statement in FULL
GRAZIANO Di Prima has addressed his Strictly Come Dancing sacking with a statement on social media - see the details below.
In a statement shared to his Instagram page Graziano wrote: “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.
“Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.”
He continued: “While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
“I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.”
He concluded the post: “I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”
Graziano added to the publication how Zara was even helping him to flat-hunt in London.
He said: “I thought we were friends. We were friends.”
He added: ‘Her statement was so, so shocking to me because she never once said she was uncomfortable or unhappy.”
He told how he hadn’t spoken to the BBC documentary-maker since she released her emotional post.
The Sun has gone to Zara’s reps for comment.
In it, Zara wrote: “I felt it was right to post something regarding the recent media reports.
“Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl. 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 work 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 incredibly distressing to watch.
“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.
“The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up, especially in a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud.
“This is something I’ve seen through working with countless women on my documentaries. I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift actions and incredibly high level of support, as well as everyone who has reached out to me – it truly means a lot.
“Love, always, Zara.”
The allegations against Graziano came to light during the inquiry into claims that Strictly pro-Giovanni Pernice, 33, bullied his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington, 50, on the last series – which he has strenuously denied.
