Strictly Dancer Removed After Kicking Partner
Graziano Di Prima, a professional dancer on the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, has been removed from the program following an incident where he kicked his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott, during rehearsals.
Di Prima, who joined the Strictly lineup in 2018, announced his departure last weekend, citing personal reasons. However, his spokesperson, Mark Borkowski, revealed the true nature of the incident to BBC News.
Borkowski confirmed that Di Prima had indeed kicked McDermott during rehearsals, stating that "there is never a time when kicking or any sense of that is right." He acknowledged Di Prima's apology and stated that the dancer, while not recalling the incident clearly, accepted responsibility for "crossing the line."
Borkowski vehemently denied reports that Di Prima had also spat on McDermott, attributing the online speculation to misremembering. He confirmed that Di Prima did recall pushing McDermott hard during training but refuted other details of the incident. Borkowski stressed that the single incident did not reflect a pattern of behavior during their training sessions.
A video of the incident, reportedly brought to the BBC's attention last week, is believed to have prompted the investigation leading to Di Prima's removal.
Following the incident, Di Prima returned to his native Italy, where he is currently working on a remote farm. He expressed deep regret for the events that led to his departure, attributing his actions to an intense desire to win and a potentially misguided training approach.
McDermott, a documentary presenter and former Love Island contestant, corroborated Di Prima's account of the incident, describing it as "incredibly distressing" to watch back. She affirmed her commitment to the show and the training process, despite the negative experience.
McDermott acknowledged that her experience in the training room was vastly different from her overall enjoyment of the show. She highlighted the "amazing" team she worked with but cited the incidents with Di Prima as particularly upsetting, particularly in light of the reports and videos she had seen.
The incident with Di Prima is not the first to rock the Strictly Come Dancing set. Allegations of inappropriate behavior against another professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, have also come to light. While Pernice denies any wrongdoing, the BBC has taken steps to ensure a safer environment for contestants and professional dancers.
In response to the allegations, the BBC announced that a member of the production team will be present during all training room rehearsals, effectively ending the practice of professional dancers being left alone with contestants. Two dedicated welfare producers have also been appointed as part of a series of new measures aimed at creating a safer environment on set.
Despite the recent controversies, the BBC maintains that the vast majority of participants have had positive experiences on Strictly Come Dancing. They have reaffirmed their commitment to addressing any concerns of inappropriate behaviour and taking swift action to ensure a safe and respectful work environment for all involved.
