Strictly Come Dancing winner’s three-word defence of Graziano Di Prima after abuse allegations-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

Graziano Di Prima said in an interview that he’s ‘not a monster’ (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

One of Strictly Come Dancing’s professional dancers who won the BBC competition has given a three-word defence of Graziano Di Prima after he faced allegations of abuse.

Last year, Di Prima, 30, was partnered up with former Love Island star Zara McDermott, 27, on the show, becoming the fifth couple to be eliminated.

Months later, it was claimed that there were ‘physical incidents’ between the pair, including allegations that he ‘kicked and hit’ her.

McDermott said in a statement posted on Instagram that there are ‘videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch’, while Di Prima stated: ‘I deeply regret the actions that led to my departure from Strictly.’

Talking to the Daily Mail, the Italian said that he’s ‘not a monster’ and ‘not an abusive man’, adding: ‘I wasn’t meaning to kick her. I’d never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor.’

Vito Coppola, 31, who’s been on Strictly since 2022, has spoken out in defence of Di Prima in a new interview, expressing the ‘love’ that he feels for his former co-star.

McDermott and Di Prima were partnered during last year’s competition (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Vito Coppola – seen on Di Prima’s shoulders – won the show with Ellie Leach in 2023 (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

‘I love Graziano,’ he told The Mirror.

‘I’ve known him since years ago, when we were competing. I love him and I will love him forever.’

The Italian dancer added that in his experience, Strictly is ‘like family’, as he described the upcoming 20th anniversary of the programme as a ‘special year’.

‘Amy [Dowden] is back, and will bring us so much joy, words cannot express. And then there’s Aljaž [Škorjanec] – it’s a nice opportunity to get to work side by side.

‘There is so much love, we are just enjoying every moment, every day of this rehearsal. This is just the beginning.’

When it was first revealed that Di Prima had left Strictly amid allegations of abuse behind the scenes, he wrote in a statement posted on social media: ‘I deeply regret the actions that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.

McDermott said that she ‘wrestled with the fear of opening up’ about her Strictly experience (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

‘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.

‘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.’

He concluded by writing: ‘When the time is right, I will share my story.’

Following mass speculation about what happened, McDermott later shared a statement, which read: ‘Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl. When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true.

‘I 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.

Di Prima said that he ‘deeply regretted his actions’ that led to his departure from the BBC series ahead of its 20th anniversary (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

‘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.’

She continued: ‘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.

‘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.

‘The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up, especially in a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I’ve seen through working with countless women on my documentaries.

‘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.’

Strictly Come Dancing is due to return this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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