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Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima has admitted to kicking his superstar accomplice Zara McDermott throughout rehearsals final 12 months.
“There’s by no means a time when kicking, or any sense of that’s proper,” Di Prima’s spokesman, Mark Borkowski, advised BBC Information on Thursday (18 July). “And he is aware of that.
“He is aware of he’s made a mistake. He apologised on the time.”
A video of the incident is believed to have been dropped at the eye of theBBClast week, resulting in Di Prima’s axing from the present final week. The footage has not been made public, and the circumstances surrounding it are unknown.
Di Prima “does do not forget that he was pushing [McDermott] fairly laborious” in coaching on the day in query, Borkowski mentioned.
“However he doesn’t recognise a few of the points surrounding it,” he added, referring to studies that Di Prima “spat” on McDermott.
“The descriptions of what’s being commented on-line, and the way he remembers it, aren’t aligned,” he mentioned.
The spokesman added that it was “absolute garbage” {that a} single incident was typical of what went on throughout “weeks and weeks of coaching”.
There’s additionally “plenty of proof” of Di Prima and McDermott “having an enormous quantity of enjoyable collectively by way of this course of”, he mentioned.
The information comes after a 3rd Strictly Come Dancing star was named as a “individual of curiosity” amid an investigation into the BBC present’s off-screen rehearsals.
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The investigation was launched after Sherlock star Amanda Abbington raised issues in regards to the alleged behaviour of her skilled accomplice Giovanni Pernice, which led to the professional departing the sequence earlier this 12 months. Abbington mentioned her time on the present was “robust” and “horrible”.
In keeping with studies, the third skilled dancer who’s reported to have been highlighted shouldn’t be on the present line-up for the brand new sequence, which is ready to start in September.
“An expert’s identify has come up, alongside Giovanni and Graziano,” a supply advised The Sun.
“He’s not a part of the present however he has been named as an individual of curiosity. Conversations are ongoing and there are extra individuals who should be spoken to.
“A file is being compiled which might be handed over to the BBC. What’s changing into clear is that there seems to be a extra widespread concern over the conduct of a few of the professionals in coaching.”
The supply additionally advised that this third skilled was flagged by both their superstar accomplice or members of the manufacturing crew.
Di Prima’s behaviour had been highlighted by members of the present’s manufacturing crew, with McDermott revealing that she initially stayed quiet resulting from “victim-blaming” fears.
McDermott, the documentary presenter who shot to fame on Love Island, wrote on Instagram on Tuesday (16 July): “A lot of my Strictly expertise was every thing I might have dreamed of. All the manufacturing crew and everybody behind the scenes in addition to my fellow contestants had been so wonderful to work with.
“Nonetheless, my expertise contained in the coaching room was very totally different. Reviews have been made about my therapy on the present and there have been witnesses to some occasions, in addition to movies of specific incidents, that are extremely distressing to observe.”
The BBC advised The Unbiased: “As we advised The Solar, we’ll all the time pay attention if folks wish to make us conscious of one thing or elevate it with us instantly.”
Di Prima attributed his off-screen behaviour to his “intense ardour and dedication to win”, including: “I deeply remorse the occasions that led to my departure from Strictly. Respecting the BBC HR course of, I perceive it’s greatest for the present that I step away.
“Whereas there are points of this story involving exterior influences that I can’t talk about presently, I stay dedicated to being robust for my household and pals.
“I want the Strictly household and the BBC nothing however success sooner or later. I additionally wish to thank everybody who has supported my profession, each professionally and personally. When the time is true, I’ll share my story.”
A results of the investigaton is that chaperones will now oversee all rehearsals going ahead.
