Graziano Di Prima, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has finally addressed his dismissal from the BBC following allegations of assault. Di Prima was let go after accusations surfaced that he had kicked, hit, and spat at his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott. He has vehemently denied these claims, stating that they have had a devastating impact on his life.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Di Prima expressed his frustration over the lack of clarity he received regarding the specific nature of the allegations against him due to confidentiality rules. He stated, “I’m not a monster. I’m not an abusive man.” Di Prima recalled an incident where he kicked the floor in frustration during a rehearsal, explaining that while his foot may have brushed McDermott’s leg accidentally, he never intended to hurt her. He added that he apologized immediately afterward and that they continued working together without issue.
Di Prima speculated that the allegations might stem from either the accidental contact during his outburst or from normal professional interactions where dancers adjust their partners’ movements with their feet. He voiced his struggle with not knowing the exact source of the allegations, which has compounded his distress.
The dancer also revealed that the accusations have had a profound effect on his life, affecting him professionally, financially, psychologically, and reputationally. His family is closely monitoring his well-being in light of the high-profile nature of his dismissal.
In response to the situation, the BBC has implemented new measures for the upcoming season, including the presence of a chaperone during rehearsals to ensure a safer environment. This change follows complaints from other contestants, such as Amanda Abbington, who alleged that she developed PTSD from her experience with dancer Giovanni Pernice. Pernice has denied these allegations, and the BBC has not yet completed its investigation into the matter.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie publicly apologized for the handling of the situation, affirming that the organization takes such issues seriously and is committed to addressing them appropriately.
