Zara McDermott Supports Pete Wicks' Strictly Stint Amidst Her Own Show Trauma

Zara McDermott, former *Love Island

star and documentary maker, has shown her support for close friend Pete Wicks' upcoming appearance on *Strictly Come Dancing*. This comes amidst reports of Zara's own challenging experience on the show, where she suffered a fractured leg and endured alleged abusive behaviour from a professional dancer.

McDermott, 27, looked radiant in a white sheer mini dress with a floral collar, showcasing her toned legs in a series of stunning snaps posted on Thursday. The garment featured a black ribbon across the chest, and Zara complemented the look with matching footwear and loose blonde curls.

The photos emerged after Zara publicly voiced her support for Wicks, 36, who will be joining the *Strictly

cast this year. The pair, alongside Zara's long-term boyfriend Sam Thompson, 31, often joke about being in a "throuple" relationship due to their close-knit friendship.

However, Wicks' *Strictly

debut comes amid revelations about Zara's own tumultuous time on the show. Reports surfaced that she performed with a fractured leg, enduring ten-hour rehearsals while in pain and relying on painkillers. The injury was caused by a professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima, 30, who was subsequently sacked from the BBC series after admitting to kicking Zara during training.

Zara has since spoken out about the "incredibly distressing" footage of Di Prima's alleged abusive behaviour. Despite her own ordeal, a source told MailOnline that Zara is "so happy" for Wicks and believes he will "thrive" in the intense *Strictly

environment.

"She knows that Pete will have an amazing time and could even impress the judges, he's incredibly hardworking and a good person, and will thrive in the environment, which can be intense, but he performs best when he's challenged and under pressure," the source revealed.

Zara has stated her desire to ensure her own experience does not negatively impact Wicks' *Strictly

journey.

"Zara doesn't want anything that happened to her to taint his Strictly journey and backs Pete even if it is a bit close to home," the source added.

The close-knit trio, Zara, Sam, and Pete, have a playful dynamic often documented on social media. They frequently create viral videos showcasing their friendship, including dance routines, further highlighting their strong bond.

Zara's experience on *Strictly

has sparked further conversation about the behind-the-scenes realities of the show. The allegations of abusive behaviour from Di Prima and another professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, have raised concerns about the working environment for participants.

Following the accusations, the BBC has faced criticism for their handling of the situation and the lack of support offered to those involved. Actress Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with Pernice on the show, has spoken out about the "toxic" environment and the lack of "aftercare" provided by the broadcaster.

The ongoing investigations into the professional dancers' conduct and the spotlight on Zara's experience are likely to continue to shape the public's perception of *Strictly Come Dancing

in the coming months.