'THIRD Strictly pro named as a person of interest amid show probe' after Graziano Di Prima and...
Another professional dancer from Strictly Come Dancing is said to be under scrutiny following abuse and bullying allegations affecting the show.
Graziano Di Prima, age 30, was removed from the show recently because of allegations that he mistreated his celebrity dance partner Zara McDermott, age 27, both verbally and physically during the previous season.
This happened a few weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was put on hold while the BBC investigates allegations of misconduct off-camera that were made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other previous celebrity partners.
Now, The Sun has stated that a third professional dancer, who is no longer involved with the show, is also being investigated in relation to the BBC series.
An insider informed the magazine: 'Another professional dancer is being considered, in addition to Giovanni and Graziano.
A third dancer from Strictly Come Dancing has been identified as someone who is being looked into because of allegations of abuse and bullying that have taken the focus away from the show.
Graziano Di Prima, 30, was removed from the show recently due to allegations of mistreatment towards his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, in the previous season.
The incident occurred shortly after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was put on hold as the BBC investigates allegations of misconduct off-camera made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celebrity partners.
He is no longer involved in the show, but he is being looked at closely. Discussions are still happening and there are others who must be interviewed.
We are putting together a file that will be given to the BBC. It is becoming evident that there is a broader problem with the behavior of certain professionals in training.
As more and more individuals step forward, the image is becoming increasingly evident.
MailOnline has reached out to the BBC for a statement.
On Tuesday, the producers of Strictly Dance announced that they will now have chaperones present during training sessions. They also mentioned that two new welfare producers have been hired following the unexpected dismissal of Graziano from the show.
Now, the leaders have declared that they will be implementing 'extra measures to enhance well-being and assist on Strictly Come Dancing.'
A spokesperson for the company mentioned that the main issues raised recently have been around the lack of training and practice sessions. The steps we are taking now are aimed at resolving these concerns.
The latest changes involve having a team member from production always present during rehearsals in the training room, and offering more assistance to both celebrity contestants and the dancers.
On Tuesday, producers of Strictly Come Dancing revealed that they will now have chaperones present during training sessions. Additionally, they have hired two new welfare producers following the unexpected dismissal of Graziano from the show.
The news was revealed shortly after former Love Island contestant Zara spoke out about the controversy.
She posted on Instagram on Tuesday morning that although her experience on Strictly was mostly amazing, there were some upsetting incidents that occurred during training with Graziano.
Expressing his feelings about leaving the show, a saddened Di Prima posted on Instagram this past weekend: "I am very sorry for the circumstances that caused me to leave Strictly. My strong desire and drive to win may have impacted my training schedule."
A Celebrity Caretaker and a Professional Dancer Caretaker will be assigned to take on these extra responsibilities. The production team and crew will also receive additional training for their roles.
Kate Phillips, who is in charge of unscripted content at the BBC, stated: 'Even though most participants have had a good experience on our shows, we will always take any complaints or reports of misconduct seriously and address them promptly.'
The worries that have come up are mainly about the training and practice sessions. The important actions we have taken and are revealing today aim to enhance the well-being and assistance for all those participating in this production.
The news was revealed shortly after former Love Island contestant Zara spoke out about the controversy.
On Tuesday morning, she posted on Instagram that her experience on Strictly was like a dream come true for the most part. However, she also mentioned some upsetting incidents that happened during her training sessions with Graziano.
Zara started by saying that she thought it was important to share her thoughts on the recent news. She expressed her admiration for Strictly, a TV show she has always dreamed of being a part of since she was a young child.
Being asked to be a participant on the show was like a dream come true from when I was a kid. I knew that Strictly required a lot of effort and dedication, so I gave it my all.
I am a strong individual and I was ready to do whatever was necessary.
My time on Strictly was like a dream come true. The production team, behind-the-scenes crew, and my fellow contestants were all amazing to work with.
Nevertheless, my time in the training room was quite contrasting. There have been complaints about how I was treated on the show and there were people who witnessed certain events, along with videos of specific incidents that are extremely upsetting to see.
Zara mentioned that she chose not to report the incidents initially because she was afraid of facing negative consequences.
However, it was the younger members of the production team who stepped up to reveal what they had seen during the investigation of professional dancer Giovanni.
Zara posted on Instagram saying that she struggled with the fear of being vulnerable. She was afraid of facing criticism from the public, worried about what the future held, and fearful of being blamed for what happened to her.
However, after numerous discussions with my loved ones, I have found the courage to confront these fears. When the opportunity arose for me to talk to the BBC, I openly shared about my experiences on the show.
The customs and norms in our society create challenges for individuals to express themselves, particularly in a time when social media chatter and viewpoints are overwhelming. This is a pattern I have observed while collaborating with numerous women on my film projects.
I want to express my gratitude to the BBC and BBC Studios for their quick response and amazing support. I also want to thank everyone who has shown me their support - it truly means a great deal to me. With love, always. Zara.
This happened after MailOnline reported exclusively that the BBC has promised to defend itself after it was exposed that Graziano is suing the broadcaster.
Di Prima feels that he should have received assistance and guidance in managing his behavior following warnings from his superiors regarding his treatment of former Love Island contestant Zara.
However, a BBC employee informed the Mail: 'There is no reason why any workplace, especially one funded by the public, would provide assistance to someone who behaved in such a repulsive manner.'
Di Prima claims that he did not receive any guidance on how to handle the stress of participating in the show, despite accusations that he physically assaulted Ms McDermott.
Yesterday, a close friend of the professional dancer expressed concerns about the BBC's methods and what goes on behind the scenes. According to the friend, the dancer believes that there is a significant amount of pressure on professionals to receive high scores in order to keep the audience entertained.
This document showed that the production team of Strictly had worries about Di Prima's behavior last year, but managers only gave him subtle warnings.
The group thought he would be fired right away. They were reported to be angry that their concerns were not taken seriously, allowing the mistreatment of Ms. McDermott to persist. Di Prima was even confirmed to participate in the next season of Strictly in 2024.
A person from the show mentioned that there were many times when both physical and verbal attacks occurred. The physical attacks were more prevalent than the verbal ones, but all of it was terrible.
The staff finally saw a video that appeared to show Di Prima hitting Ms McDermott multiple times. This happened nine months after they first made a complaint, and as a result, he was ultimately fired.
They showed it to BBC staff in charge of human resources who were looking into allegations against dancer Giovanni Pernice. Amanda, his dance partner for 2023, said he was mean to her during practice.
Pernice rejected the allegations and left the show in the previous month.
Talking about his departure from the show, a 'devastated' Di Prima posted on Instagram last weekend: 'I am really sorry for what happened that made me leave Strictly. I was so focused on winning that it may have impacted my training.' Yesterday, it was reported by the Mail that he has enlisted the help of a lawyer and publicist to try to minimize the damage from the scandal.
Ms McDermott, who currently hosts documentaries on the BBC, was reportedly too scared to report the incident at the time, but is now assisting investigators.
Zara fainted during practice for Strictly Come Dancing with her partner Graziano and ended up falling asleep on the floor due to exhaustion.
In a recently shared video on the dancer's Instagram Story, Zara was caught sleeping on the floor of the dance studio as she tried to relax after a tiring training session.
Captured on October 25, just a few days before they were kicked off the show in the sixth week, Graziano patiently waited for her to wake up. He added a caption to the photo, saying, "She requested a short 5-minute break."
After she woke up, she shared the clip again and joked: 'I've probably walked around 50,000 steps today doing this routine. Cut me some slack pls' with a laughing face emoji.
When Graziano posted the video of her sleeping, Zara responded quickly by saying she had done twice as much work as her dance partner.
Posting a picture of herself on her way to practice with a caption that said: 'Can you believe Graz had the nerve to complain about his legs being sore from yesterday's rehearsals? He was literally sitting down for half the day watching me do the routine by myself.'
HOW ARE YOU MAKING ME FEEL, MY FRIEND @grazianodiprima.
Nevertheless, the incident of someone fainting is not the initial indication of conflict during rehearsals. Prior to that, the duo implied various arguments and disputes in a lighthearted manner through a sequence of entertaining TikTok clips.
Ever since claims were made that Graziano physically assaulted Zara during practices, these videos have been seen in a new way.
On September 19, Zara posted a funny video where she said that the expert had described her as a 'camel'.
She posted a video of them having lunch together, and included sound from an episode of The Kardashians where Kourtney and Khloe were arguing.
Graziano was spotted by Kourtney Kardashian who mentioned, "I believe you are very sensitive and that's okay. I just need to be more mindful and avoid making those jokes around you."
Next, the camera switched to Zara as Khloe Kardashian responded with, "No, I believe they are simply impolite."
While the camera focused on Graziano, Kourtney commented: 'I find it funny, but I understand that you see it as disrespectful, so I won't do it.'
Zara wrote in the video description: 'Feeling upset because he said I dance like a camel.'
After three days, Zara playfully teased Graziano for not letting her take a break, posting a video of herself enjoying a sandwich while the dancer appeared frustrated and said: 'We don't have time!'
In the month that followed, Zara playfully mentioned that she and her partner had been arguing about food.
She posted a video of herself ducking out of sight from Graziano behind a drapery accompanied by audio from a famous moment on This Morning in 2010.
In the podcast, Holly Willoughby proposed that Gino D'Acampo could improve his pasta dish by adding ham to make it similar to carbonara. In response, Gino humorously said, 'If my grandmother had wheels, she would have been a bike.'
Zara wrote on her post: "Imagine you are having a conversation with an Italian person about pasta."
Graziano wasted no time in standing up for himself, sharing a video where he clarified: 'I want to respond to Zara's claim that I was just sitting. Yes, I may be seated, but I am still actively working to fix her mistake.'
Zara added, "I did twice as much work as you yesterday, and you have the nerve to complain about your sore legs!"
Graziano asked Zara who had been pointing out her mistakes. Zara retorted by asking who had been putting in the effort, but eventually agreed when Graziano reminded her who was helping her improve.
In the end, the couple's time on Strictly ended that week when they were eliminated after losing the dance off against Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk.
Sharing her thoughts on the results show, Zara expressed, "I have had an amazing time. It's truly incredible to be here. I want to thank the judges and my fantastic partner for everything."
The other people in the competition are so talented. This has been an incredible journey. I am sad it's ending, but I will continue to support them every week in my heart.
Afterwards, Graziana expressed his admiration for his dance partner, saying he was extremely impressed by her and believed she truly embodied the essence of Strictly.
He mentioned that she has been very helpful to him from 8 in the morning until 9 at night. She never takes a break and only asks for half an hour to rest.
She embodies the essence of Strictly Come Dancing. As a true beginner, she is diving in and putting in the effort.
'You have a kind heart and a humble nature. I am grateful to have a friend like you and I have gained a lot from our friendship. Your dedication and effort over the past six weeks have been truly inspiring.'
You've never danced before. I'm really impressed with you. Truly, I'm very proud of you.'
Afterwards, he went on Instagram to post a photo of their Halloween Charleston. In the caption, he wrote: 'THIS IMAGE PERFECTLY CAPTURES IT ALL!! You embody everything that Strictly stands for - being humble, having no ego, and practicing for 12 hours every day.
You endured a lot of pain, yet you still persevered through it all. You never gave up, always pushing yourself to improve and learn more. And guess what? You succeeded! You made it through six weeks in the competition, despite never having danced before. ❤️
This is a huge accomplishment! You have improved significantly in both confidence and dancing skills.
'Thank you for believing in me! I am so happy for you!! I am proud to have you as my friend!! ❤️'
Zara also posted a glowing message about her experience on the show and her significant other.
She posted a message saying: 'Since the first day we met Graz, you have constantly reminded me that I am powerful, lovely, and self-assured. I truly think that things happen for a purpose, and I am certain that our friendship is meant to last a lifetime.
You've shown me a lot about myself, and your daily laughter brings me so much happiness. I never tired of spending more than 12 hours each day with you, and your dedication to your work motivates me in ways I can't even explain.
'You helped me to have confidence in myself when I felt like I couldn't, and the connection we've formed is really strong and cannot be broken.'
Zara decided to remove the post from her blog. Despite this, she has kept photos and videos featuring Graziano on her social media feed.
As reported by The Sun, BBC executives were shown a video of Graziano's behavior on Thursday. They then talked to Zara before the weekend and ultimately fired the Italian on Monday.
According to a insider, Graziano has acknowledged that his actions were very out of line and not acceptable. He understands that there is no going back from this. However, why wasn't any action taken earlier to address this issue before it escalated?
Graziano believes that with the right help and learning some techniques to manage his anger, the situation could have been stopped from getting worse.
Regarding the BBC's involvement, Graziano was not the only dancer who was questioned. The BBC had no knowledge of the reported kicking incidents, which are said to have occurred twice. Once they were made aware of the situation, they took swift action and dismissed him from his position.
They stated that Graziano is extremely upset. His wife Giada and mother are watching him constantly to make sure he is okay. Graziano's mother has even moved in to help take care of him.
The situation with Strictly Come Dancing is becoming more and more negative, and the BBC is now faced with the challenge of conducting an investigation while also ensuring the well-being of everyone involved.
A person who works for the BBC said: 'There was no delay. The video proof was very clear and impossible to deny.
In the blog, Zara mentioned one specific incident, but as we chatted further, it became clear that she claimed to have experienced both verbal and physical abuse on several occasions. Zara showed remarkable courage in sharing her story.
As new and surprising accusations about Graziano's dismissal have been uncovered, there has been a noticeable shift in the level of support he is receiving from the public.
Before, his supporters and well-known acquaintances showed their support for him, including other celebrities from Strictly Come Dancing like Katya Jones, Susannah Constantine, and Catherine Tyldesley, who showed their approval by liking and commenting on his Instagram post announcing his exit.
But Catherine, who danced with Johannes Radebe on the show in 2019, has recently taken down one of her positive comments.
The Corrie actor initially posted: 'Oh no!' before including: 'You are the nicest, very skilled, most caring man... I apologize deeply. Sending lots of love your way x'.
However, the second enthusiastic comment has since been removed, leaving only the first one visible on Graziano's post.
Graziano's Instagram post says that he feels sorry for what happened that made him leave Strictly Come Dancing. He thinks that his strong desire to win may have affected how he trained.
I understand and respect the BBC HR procedures, but I feel it is best for the show if I remove myself from the situation. It disappoints me that I was not given the opportunity to contribute a statement to the online news articles, and I understand the importance of handling this matter delicately.
There are additional details to this story that I cannot talk about right now, but I will stay strong for my loved ones. I hope the Strictly family achieves great success in the future.
In the meantime, Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson have stopped following Graziano, but she continues to follow his wife, Giada Lini.
Italian Giada, who danced professionally on Strictly, has not yet commented on her husband's sudden exit.
This is the most recent setback for the BBC program, which continues to have a viewership of over ten million, while accusations against fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice are still under investigation.
Graziano became a part of the Strictly team in 2018. Last season, he danced with Love Island's Zara as his partner, but unfortunately, they were voted off in week six.
Before, he was matched with host Vick Hope, Judi Love from Loose Women, and in 2022 he made it to the quarter-finals with actor Kym Marsh.
This has added more chaos to Strictly Come Dancing, which is considered the top show of the BBC and still has over ten million viewers.
Insiders have informed the Mail that the allegations have led management to expand the investigation to examine additional issues and people connected to the dance show in preparation for its 20th year celebration.
This means that Pernice, who has already expressed his frustrations with the investigation, now has to wait even longer for a conclusion. Three former dance partners, including actress Abbington, have hired lawyers to file 'serious complaints' against his behavior.
It also poses a risk to harm Strictly, the BBC's most successful show on Saturday nights since The Generation Game.
Zara fainted during practice with her Strictly partner Graziano in a video that recently came to light from last October, following allegations that he had been physically aggressive towards her during rehearsals.
Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson have both decided to stop following Graziano. However, Zara continues to follow Graziano's wife, Giada Lini, on social media. (Zara and Sam are shown in the picture above)
Amanda decided to leave the competition during the middle of the series due to personal reasons, following weeks of speculation about a disagreement with Giovanni (shown in rehearsals).
According to a television insider who spoke to the Mail, this investigation has expanded beyond just Giovanni to address broader issues. Strictly Come Dancing has been on the air for 20 years, and while the show may seem glamorous and delightful on the surface, there are inevitably some individuals who feel aggrieved.
Amanda's grievances have sparked a big movement, encouraging others to speak up about their own dissatisfaction.
The BBC is facing a major issue as it approaches its 20th anniversary celebration.
Dealing with the Giovanni complaint has been a significant problem, but it appears that there are additional matters that require further investigation and examination.
People who are close to Pernice believe that he will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
