Strictly Scandal: Zara McDermott Speaks Out

Zara McDermott, a former Love Island star and documentary maker, has revealed her own "incredibly distressing" experience during her time on Strictly Come Dancing, following the departure of her dance partner, Graziano Di Prima.

In a statement posted to her Instagram stories on Tuesday, McDermott described the fear she felt speaking out about the incidents, citing concerns about public backlash, victim shaming, and her future prospects.

"I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming," she said.

However, she emphasized that she ultimately found the strength to speak to BBC managers about her experiences. "I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports," she added.

McDermott stated that she fully understood the demanding nature of Strictly and dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the competition. While she acknowledged the positive aspects of her experience, including her interactions with the production team, fellow contestants, and behind-the-scenes staff, she described her training sessions with Di Prima as a stark contrast.

"My experience inside the training room was very different," she wrote. "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."

McDermott's statement echoes Di Prima's own acknowledgment of his "intense passion and determination to win" potentially affecting his training methods. In his statement on Saturday, he expressed deep regret over the events leading to his departure, stating that he understood it was "best for the show" to step away.

However, Di Prima has also maintained his innocence regarding allegations of abusive or threatening behavior, and has stated his commitment to cooperating fully with the BBC's investigation.

The BBC has confirmed that Di Prima is no longer part of the upcoming Strictly season. While they refused to comment on individual cases, they reiterated their commitment to robust duty of care procedures and swift action in response to any raised concerns.

Di Prima's departure follows the exit of another professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, who also faced allegations of inappropriate teaching methods. Pernice has strongly denied any suggestion of abusive or threatening behavior.

The allegations against Di Prima and Pernice have sparked conversations about the culture and pressures within the competitive world of Strictly Come Dancing, prompting scrutiny of the show's internal procedures and support systems for contestants.