STRICTLY’S Zara McDermott has revealed a cruel swipe dance partner Graziano Di Prima took at her during their time together on the show.
Months before shocking details of the pair’s fraught relationship in the rehearsal room came to light, Zara shared a tongue in cheek TikTok video about the Italian dancer’s insult.
In the footage, an annoyed Zara speaks to Graziano over lunch – but the voiceover is actually that of Khloe Kardashian and her sister Kourtney.
Written over the top of the video from Graziano’s perspective are the words: “When she gets upset after I said she dances like a camel.”
He can be seen miming to the voice of Kourtney, saying: “I think you take things really sensitively and that’s fine.
“I just need to not make those jokes with you.”
Zara, mouthing along to Khloe’s voice, replies: “No I don’t think they’re jokes, I think they’re rude. They’re just like rude.”
Graziano continues: “But to me it’s a joke. To you it’s rude. So I won’t make them to you.”
Zara captioned the clip: “He said it to me on day 1 and I haven’t let him forget it.”
Strictly fans found it amusing at the time but it now seems less fun in light of recent events.
Today Graziano admitted to “making a mistake” by kicking Zara in a rehearsal last year.
The shamed star, 30, has fled to Sicily after being sacked by the BBC following an investigation into the scandal.
His representative, Mark Borkowski, told PA: “There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right, and he knows that.
“He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.”
Graziano has told pals he is “mentally shot” after video emerged of him kicking and spitting his former celebrity partner.
A source said: “Graziano has lost everything.
“He is in pieces and filled with remorse. He knows, quite rightly, there is no way back for him in showbiz in the UK. His Strictly dancing career is over.
“He’s fled back home and is living on a farm, earning a pittance, and throwing himself into manual labour.
“He says he is literally living next to some cows- it’s an astonishing fall from grace.”
Graziano is earning £6-an-hour in his new job, a far-cry from the glitz and glamour of the ballroom.
The Sun told how the BBC had been warned twice about Graziano’s conduct towards Zara during their training sessions last year.
Zara is understood to have been “too scared” to speak out.
GRAZIANO Di Prima has addressed his Strictly Come Dancing sacking with a statement on social media - see the details below.
In a statement shared to his Instagram page Graziano wrote: “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.”
He continued: “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.
“I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.”
He concluded the post: “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.”
