July 16th 2024.
Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima has recently made headlines for his departure from the popular dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. It has been reported that the 30-year-old Italian plans to take legal action against the BBC following his exit, while his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott has been making adjustments to her social media.
According to sources, Di Prima left the show amidst allegations of "physical incidents" involving his partner Zara. There have been claims that he was "kicking and hitting" her during rehearsals for the 2023 series. In a statement, Di Prima expressed remorse for his actions and admitted that his intense drive to win may have affected his behavior.
It has been reported that the BBC took action after reviewing video evidence and speaking with McDermott, who is a documentary maker. However, Di Prima believes that he should have been given more support and guidance, especially since he had previously been warned about his behavior.
A friend of Di Prima's told the Daily Mail, "There are questions about their procedures and how they operate behind the scenes. He feels that there is a lot of pressure on professionals to get high scores and entertain the audience."
In light of these developments, the BBC has come under scrutiny for their handling of the situation. A BBC insider has questioned why any workplace, especially one funded by the public, would offer support to someone who acted in an "abhorrent manner."
The BBC confirmed Di Prima's departure with a statement, emphasizing their established and robust duty of care procedures. They also stated that they take any issues seriously and will act swiftly and appropriately.
Since the allegations surfaced, McDermott has unfollowed Di Prima on Instagram. She had previously posted a message thanking him for his support and friendship during their time together on the show, but it has since been deleted.
Following his exit from Strictly, Di Prima reportedly plans to move back to Italy with his wife Giada Lini. A source has claimed that he is in a "bad place" and believes that going back to Italy for a fresh start is the best option for him and his wife.
Di Prima joined Strictly in 2018 and has been paired with celebrities such as Vick Hope, Judi Love, and Kym Marsh. He is the second dancer to leave the show amidst reports of backstage conduct, following Giovanni Pernice who was investigated after his partner Amanda Abbington quit the show and spoke about her struggles with PTSD.
In response to the allegations, Pernice has stated that he rejects any suggestion of abusive or threatening behavior and looks forward to clearing his name. It has been reported that the BBC is considering hiring chaperones for the 2024 series, with executive Sam Bickley in charge of ensuring duty of care.
A source told The Times that Bickley will be discussing protocols and tightening them up to prevent similar incidents in the future. They also emphasized that despite these issues, most people have had a positive and enriching experience on the show.
The Agency has reached out to Di Prima's representatives and the BBC for comment. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can contact the entertainment team by email, phone, or through their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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