Graziano Di Prima has hit back following claims his partner Zara McDermott danced with a broken leg during their final week on Strictly Come Dancing.
A war of words has erupted between the two, who previously appeared to be close friends on the show, after Graziano was suddenly dropped from the series this month.
Last night it was revealed that Zara broke a leg bone during training for the now crisis-hit BBC series and continued to dance despite her pain.
Reports last night claimed that Zara only revealed the extent of her injuries as part of an inquiry into misconduct allegations. It was claimed she told Graziano about her agony but the pair agreed to plough on before losing in the dance-off anyway. Following their elimination, Zara went to receive medical treatment in hospital.
(
Image:
PA)
(
Image:
Instagram)
Graziano has now broken his silence to dismiss claims the BBC were in the dark about Zara’s injuries. The professional dancer also said he received ‘no guidance’ about the severity of his partner’s pain when they continued to perform.
He told the Mirror: “BBC physios were present all week, monitoring the situation and were aware of the pain. I received no guidance on the severity of any injuries, and from what I understood, Zara wanted to continue dancing.”
His family also told the Mirror they are now concerned for Graziano’s wellfare. They said a wave of recent allegations have left the dancer needing medical supervision owing to the stress of the situation.
In a statement they said: “Graziano is currently under medical supervision, with the stress of the situation causing significant concern for his family, who are monitoring him hourly. The unrelenting feeding frenzy over these accusations and his mental state leaves him at this time unable to defend himself.”
The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment.
(
Image:
BBC/Guy Levy)
Graziano had previously claimed he looked forward to speaking out but was unable to do so due to strict BBC HR guidelines. “When the time is right I will tell my story” he vowed.
Graziano did however, through a spokesperson, admit to an incident of kicking Zara in training.
“There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right,” Di Prima’s spokesman, Mark Borkowski said, “And he knows that. He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.”
Zara’s representatives then issued a new statement in response to the assertion that Graziano ‘kicked her once’. “It’s a matter of public record that the BBC deemed the conduct to be so severe that they removed him from the show immediately,” they said.
(
Image:
This week it was reported that Zara McDermott’s close friend, and her boyfriend Sam Thompson’s podcast co-host, Pete Wicks, is to star on the upcoming series of Strictly.
Sources close to the show said the TOWIE alumni is the second star to sign up after DIY SOS host Nick Knowles. The news came as a surprise to some fans given Pete’s closeness to Zara and Sam, who has supported her through the last few weeks.
Pete even posed for pictures with Graziano backstage at Strictly with the duo joking about their similar looks.
Zara previously said she did not speak up about Graziano’s alleged behaviour until the BBC investigation as she was afraid of ‘victim blaming’.
She said in a statement: “I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming,” she said.
Speaking out after Graziano was revealed to have left the show, she said: “I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports.
She said she “fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it”.
“I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took,” she added. “And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to work with.
“However, my experience inside the training room was very different. 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.”
In his statement Graziano said: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
If You Have A Mouse, This Game Will Keep You Awake All Night Long.BASEATTACKFORCE|
SPONSORED LINKS BY TABOOLA
You Will Never Turn Off Your Computer Again. No Install. Play For Free.PANZERRUSH|
SPONSORED LINKS BY TABOOLA
“Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away. While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.”
He added: “I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally.
“When the time is right, I will share my story.”
News
Sinitta SH0CKS Loose Women panel with X-R@T3D comment about new BOYFRIEND
Sinitta stunned the Loose Women panel today when she opened up about her new relationship. The Toy Boy star, 60, who used to date media mogul Simon Cowell, has been single for 10 years, but is now delighted with her new man, who…
FATHER CAUSES FURY Tommy Fury’s dad John made CRUEL comment about Molly-Mae and DEFENDED his son during the couple’s SH0CK SPLIT
TOMMY Fury’s dad John once made a cruel comment about Molly-Mae “not being a wife” – appearing to predict the couple would split YEARS before they broke up. The influencer, 25, ended her five-year relationship after being sent an upsetting video of…
MAE DAY Molly-Mae accused of ‘FAKING HOLIDAY’ with Tommy Fury before SPLIT as fans spot TWO HUGE CLUES
MOLLY-MAE’s fans shared a wild theory she faked a holiday with Tommy Fury before their split. The former Love Island stars, both 25, split last week after five years together. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy…
MOVING ON Molly-Mae Hague’s ‘ULTIMATE REVENGE’ on Tommy Fury with new MONEY-SPINNING move in America
Determined Molly Mae Hague is poised to deliver the ultimate knockout blow to dumped Tommy Fury by conquering America. Boxer Tommy, 25, was embarrassingly denied entry to the States last year for a fight after American authorities refused an entry visa after background…
Katie Price’s children ‘ANGRY’ as mum becomes a ‘LAUGHING STOCK’ over new surgery
Katie Price’s children have urged her to stop after she underwent her latest £10,000 facelift. The former glamour model is no stranger to plastic surgery but it’s reported her children want to put a stop to her mum’s desire to…
EXCLUSIVE: Molly-Mae HUMILIATED Tommy Fury, then played the VICTIM, Trust me, there’s more to this SPLIT than meets the eye…
After Molly-Mae Hague’s shock Instagram announcement that her five-year relationship with Tommy Fury was over amid rumours of his infidelity, her eight million fans were so distraught that some said they were ‘actually sobbing’ over the death of the fairytale….
End of content
No more pages to load