GRAZIANO Di Prima’s wife responds to Zara McDermott’s statement with telling move as Strictly fallout escalates
Earlier this week it was revealed the dancer was sacked ahead of the upcoming series of the show following claims he hit, spat at and kicked Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals last year.
Love Island star Zara, 27, took the move to unfollow her former pro partner Graziano and her boyfriend Sam Thompson followed suit.
Yesterday Zara released a statement saying she was “scared to speak out” and “wrestled with the fear of opening up”.
Following Zara’s statement, Graziano’s wife Giada Lini has shown her support for her husband by unfollowing Zara on Instagram.
She was following Zara on the platform up until today.
But surprisingly Zara is still following Italian dancer Giada, despite unfollowing Graziano when his sacking was announced.
Graziano and Giada have been together for nearly ten years and tied the knot in 2022 at the 14th century Castle of Falconara, in Sicily, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.
He proposed to Giada on stage during the Burn The Floor dance tour performance in Watford in 2019.
Graziano had joined the Strictly line-up the year before and was first partnered with DJ Vick Hope.
He was paired up with comedian and Loose Women panelist Judi Love in 2021 and actress Kym Marsh the following year.
Graziano and his wife grew close to Zara when they were partnered up for the most recent series.
However, Graziano, 30, will not be returning for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing following footage that left those who watched it in “tears”.
He 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.
“Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.”
The Made In Chelsea star deleted a post praising the professional dancer for his “work ethic” and said they had shared “laughter every single day”.
Zara said in her statement: “I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports.
“Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.
“I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming.
“But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.”
Zara insisted that the Strictly production team and everyone behind the scenes were “amazing to work with”.
However she added that her “experience inside the training room was very different” and said: “There were witnesses to some events as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.”
Zara signed off: “I would like to thank the BBC & BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as well as everyone who has reached out to me – it really truly means a lot. Love, always. Zara.”
