July 17th 2024.
Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima recently expressed his deep regret over the events that led to his departure from the popular BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing. According to reports, the show's producers are facing difficulties in finding female celebrities to participate in the upcoming season due to allegations surrounding the behavior of two of the show's professional dancers.
Last week, it was announced that Di Prima had been let go from the show following allegations of physical incidents with his former partner, Zara McDermott. Another professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, is also under investigation for his teaching methods, which he denies. A third dancer, who remains unnamed, is also being looked into as a person of interest in the ongoing probe.
Sources claim that the recent controversies have made it more challenging for the show's producers to recruit female celebrities this year. It seems that word has gotten around that participating in Strictly is not an easy task. One executive connected to the show stated, "Usually, it's the women who are more eager to join. Not only is it an opportunity to dress up, but appearing on Strictly can also greatly benefit a woman's career."
Di Prima's dismissal from the show has caused a stir, with many questioning the show's handling of the situation. Some have even raised concerns about the treatment of participants and the show's reputation being tarnished. In response, the BBC has implemented new measures, including having chaperones at rehearsals and introducing new welfare roles.
McDermott, a former Love Island star, released a statement addressing the allegations against Di Prima. She mentioned that there were videos of particular incidents that were distressing and expressed her fear of speaking up due to potential victim shaming and public backlash. Di Prima also issued a statement expressing his regret and understanding of the show's decision to let him go. He also mentioned external influences that he cannot discuss at this time.
The situation has also raised questions about the show's procedures and operations behind the scenes. Di Prima's friend revealed that he believes there is a lot of pressure on professionals to entertain the audience and receive high scores, potentially leading to abusive or threatening behavior. Since the news of the allegations, McDermott and Di Prima no longer follow each other on Instagram.
Pernice, who is currently under investigation, has faced similar allegations in the past. His former partner, Amanda Abbington, quit the show after five weeks and claimed to have been left with PTSD. She has since spoken out about his tough, nasty, and brutal training methods. It has also been reported that more of Pernice's former partners have had issues with his behavior. However, he denies any allegations and looks forward to clearing his name.
The BBC has been contacted for comment, and the show is expected to return later this year. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures to share, you can contact the entertainment team at The Agency through email, phone, or their Submit Stuff page.
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