Strictly Come Dancing’s Graziano Di Prima has been dramatically ‘dropped’ from the upcoming series – and has now broken his silence.
The Italian dancer is said to have been axed from the BBC show following allegations of inappropriate physical and verbal behaviour towards his dance partner Zara McDermott during last year’s competition.
Despite being announced as part of the line-up for the 20th anniversary series set to kick off within weeks, the 30 year old will not be gracing the dance floor in the next series of the hit show, reports The Mirror.
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In an Instagram post today (July 13), Graziano confirmed the rumours about his Strictly exit, telling his followers: “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.
(Image: BBC)
“While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
“There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.”
Graziano’s rumoured sacking is just the latest drama to hit the BBC chiefs as they grapple with the future of Strictly Come Dancing.
The glitzy dance extravaganza, which is set to celebrate its 20th birthday with a bang later this year, has been caught up in a whirlwind of off-stage antics in recent times.
Amanda Abbington, one of the stars in the 2023 line-up, has reportedly requested her Strictly training vids after accusations of “threatening and abusive behaviour” over her dance partner Giovanni Pernice. He has denied all accusations.
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Giovanni, who’s hung up his Strictly shoes and won’t be back for this year’s showdown, has been in the eye of the storm with an internal investigation sparked by Amanda’s accusations and others after she took an early bow from the contest last year.
Amid the ongoing investigation, Amanda’s team has reportedly requested access to footage of her training sessions with the 2022 Strictly champion. However, an insider claims that Giovanni has thwarted Amanda’s attempts to secure the tapes.
The source revealed to The Sun earlier this month: “Amanda and her legal team asked to have access to the tapes. The BBC contacted Giovanni and his legal team to get their consent but they refused. Amanda’s legal team are now weighing up an appeal to the Information Commissioner’s Office to get access to the evidence as they think it is vital in helping support her claims.”
Giovanni has previously hit back at the allegations, vehemently denying any wrongdoing in a lengthy social media post during the early stages of the crisis. “He claims the allegations are false – she insists they will validate every one of her grievances”, the source added.
(Image: No credit)
It should be noted that the BBC are reviewing the tapes and taking them ‘very seriously’.
Despite leaving Strictly, Giovanni has maintained good relations with the show’s biggest stars, especially head judge Shirley Ballas. The Mirror reported earlier this month that BBC bosses had instructed Shirley to “rein it in” when discussing Giovanni and the ongoing investigation.
Shirley Ballas made some explosive remarks about Giovanni Pernice while she was out and about plugging her new book. A source spilled the beans to the Mirror, saying: “Shirley has been told she needs to rein it in and not talk about Giovanni in the context of the case. It’s such a complex thing that we can’t have people associated with the show speaking out about it.”
(Image: OK! Magazine / Justin Polkey)
Giovanni Pernice has hit back at claims he was “abusive or threatening” during his time on Strictly, insisting he’s fully cooperating with the BBC’s probe into the matter.
He said: “I am co-operating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth. As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth.
“I’m so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support. Your messages and love mean so very much. I will hopefully see many of you soon.”
Meanwhile, Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse seem to be backing Giovanni, and Anton Du Beke, currently touring with the dance maestro, is set to join his dance classes in September.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
