SAM Thompson described his girlfriend Zara McDermott’s Strictly Come Dancing partner Graziano di Prima as ‘terrifying’.
The former Made In Chelsea star previously expressed his genuine feelings about Graziano, stating that he would “take good care” of Zara while she was on the show.
Speaking on his Hits Radio show in September, he said: “Graziano – what a lovely man!
“What a beautiful man as well… big muscles, about 6ft 4, jacked and a year younger than me as well which is terrifying.”
He continued: “He came round for dinner with his lovely, beautiful wife not long ago – we made him spag bol – and we found out loads about him. He grew up in Sicily, he was a grape stomper – I think that’s what they call it!
“He put a roof over his parents head when he started dancing, he’s got the most amazing story, he’s the loveliest man.”
At the time, Zara and Graziano were preparing for their first routine on Strictly.
“Hopefully I can go because tickets are very, very hard to come by. But it’s really, really cool and I’m so glad it’s Graziano – he’s going to take good care of her,” Sam added.
Graziano, who joined the show in 2018, had his BBC contract terminated last week on the grounds of “gross misconduct“.
Video footage from the training room is said to have shown Graziano “kicking and spitting” at the reality star-turned-documentary maker Zara.
While he has admitted he “crossed the line”, the dancer denied spitting at Zara and insisted his behaviour was a one-off incident.
Zara later broke her silence with an emotional statement posted on social media.
She said: “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.”
While the reality star insisted that the Strictly production team and everyone behind the scenes were “amazing to work with”, she confessed that her “experience inside the training room was very different”.
She said: “There were witnesses to some events as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.”
The claims against Graziano emerged in the inquiry into Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour towards Amanda Abbington on the same series.
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.”
