Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima was removed from Strictly Come Dancing after kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals, as confirmed by his spokesperson. While Di Prima did not clearly remember the incident that occurred last year, he accepted that he had crossed the line and apologized for his actions. His spokesperson denied reports that he spat on McDermott, stating that he only remembers pushing her hard during training. A video of the incident during a rehearsal was brought to the attention of the BBC, leading to Di Prima’s departure from the show.
Di Prima has returned home to Italy and is currently working on a remote farm. His spokesperson described him as “vulnerable” due to the overwhelming commentary and criticism online. McDermott, on the other hand, described her experience on the show as distressing, mentioning witnessing incidents in the training room that she found troubling. The show has been embroiled in controversy following complaints about another professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, who has denied any abusive behavior.
In response to the allegations, the BBC announced that Strictly’s professional dancers would no longer be left alone with contestants during rehearsals, with a member of the production team present at all times. The BBC’s director of unscripted, Kate Phillips, stated that they take all complaints seriously and will act upon any reports of inappropriate behavior. Despite the controversies, many participants have had positive experiences on the show, and the additional measures are being implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved.
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