Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke has unfollowed Graziano Di Prima on social media but decided to support Giovanni Pernice amid the misconduct scandal.
Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show last week after being accused of “punching and kicking” his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.
This comes just weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended pending a BBC investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other celebrity exes.
Following the drama, Anton appears to have unfollowed Graziano on Instagram, although he still follows the judge.
Last month it was reported that Anton “strongly supports” Giovanni after he quit Strictly Come Dancing amid the BBC’s “serious misconduct” investigation.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke unfollowed Graziano Di Prima on social media but decided to support Giovanni Pernice amid the misconduct scandal (Anton pictured in April)
Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show last week after he was accused of “punching and kicking” his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.
The pair will appear together in a live show called Giovanni and Anton Together: The Live Tour, which kicks off in June and runs through the end of July, and the duo began rehearsals on Monday.
Giovanni posted a video of the pair on his Instagram Stories and the accompanying promotional photo shows the two men hugging each other, proving that they are the best of friends.
Anton opened the video by saying, “The first day of rehearsals, that’s always my favorite day. The second day, not so much,” to which Giovanni laughed.
Giovanni, who was smiling and seemed to be in a good mood, continued: “Because we have to remember everything from the first day. We’re on tour again. It feels good.”
On Tuesday it was reported that a third Strictly Come Dancing professional has been named as a “person of interest” in the wake of allegations of abuse and harassment that have cast a shadow over the show.
Sun A third professional dancer, who is no longer on the show, is also reportedly part of the investigation into the BBC series.
A source told the publication: ‘In addition to Giovanni and Graziano, the name of a professional has emerged.
“He is no longer part of the program, but he has been named as a person of interest. Discussions are ongoing and there are more people who need to be spoken to.”
This comes just weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended pending a BBC investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50 (pictured).
Following the drama, Anton appears to have unfollowed Graziano on Instagram, although he still follows the judge.
Last month it was reported that Anton “strongly supports” Giovanni after he quit Strictly Come Dancing amid the BBC’s “serious misconduct” investigation.
They added: “A dossier is being compiled which will be passed on to the BBC. What is becoming clear is that there appears to be a more widespread problem with the conduct of some of the trainees.
“And the more people come forward, the clearer the picture becomes.”
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.
Tuesday strictly Bosses have announced plans to introduce training companions and the appointment of two new wellness producers, following Graziano’s shock sacking from the show.
Now bosses have announced they will be introducing “additional measures to strengthen wellbeing and support across Strictly Come Dancing”.
A statement from the corporation said: “The concerns that have been raised in recent months have been primarily about training and rehearsals. The measures we are announcing today are designed to address these.”
New measures include the presence of a member of the production team during rehearsals in the training room at all times and increased support for both celebrity contestants and professional dancers.
A celebrity wellness producer and a professional dancer wellness producer will be appointed to fulfill these additional duties, and additional training will also be provided for the production team and staff.
Kate Phillips, director of BBC Unscripted, said: ‘While we know our programmes have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised or inappropriate behaviour is reported to us we will always take it seriously and act on it.
“The concerns that have been raised relate primarily to training and rehearsals. The decisive measures we have taken and announced today serve to further strengthen the well-being and support of all those involved in this production.”
On Tuesday it was reported that a third Strictly Come Dancing professional has been named as a “person of interest” in the wake of allegations of abuse and harassment that have cast a shadow over the show (Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice pictured)
The announcement came just hours after former Love Island star Zara broke her silence on the scandal.
She wrote that while much of her time on Strictly “was everything I could have dreamed of”, inside the training room there were “particular incidents that are incredibly distressing”.
Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram over the weekend: ‘I am deeply sorry for the events that led to my departure from Strictly.’
The announcement comes just hours after former Love Island star Zara broke her silence on the scandal.
She wrote on Instagram on Tuesday morning that while much of her time on Strictly “was everything I could have dreamed of” inside the training room with Graziano, there were “particular incidents that are incredibly distressing”.
“I felt it was only right to post something about the recent media reports,” Zara began. “Strictly is one of the most magical shows on television and one I have dreamed of being on since I was a little girl.”
“When I was invited to take part in the show, it was like a childhood dream had come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly would entail and I put my all into it.”
“I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to give whatever was necessary.”
“And so much of my experience on Strictly was everything I could have dreamed of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes, as well as my fellow contestants, were amazing.
‘However, my experience inside the training room was very different. There have been reports made about the treatment I received on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents that are incredibly distressing to watch.
Zara explained that she did not report the incidents at the time because she was “afraid” of suffering negative reactions.
YoInstead, it was the junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed during the investigation into the professional dancer. Juan It was taking place.
He added: “My intense passion and determination to win may have affected my training regime.”
“I’ve struggled with the fear of opening up: I was afraid of the public reaction, I was afraid of my future, I was afraid of being shamed,” Zara wrote on Instagram.
“But after many conversations with my loved ones, I have 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 of our society makes it difficult for people to express themselves, especially in a world where opinions and voices on social media are so loud. This is something I have seen from working with countless women on my documentaries.
“I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their quick response and incredible level of support, as well as everyone who has reached out to me. It means the world to me. Love always. Zara.”
