Zara McDermott and her boyfriend Sam Thompson have unfollowed their Strictly Come Dancing partner Graziano Di Prima after he was axed from the BBC show.
The professional dancer has been accused of ‘punching and kicking’ the Love Island star during her time on the show last year, despite him calling her the ‘perfect student’ in a resurfaced interview which emerged today.
Now both Zara and Graziano, who have made it to week six of the BBC contest, have unfollowed each other on social media following the allegations.
And her I’m A Celebrity winner boyfriend Sam also unfollowed the BBC star following the news in a show of support for his girlfriend.
In a resurfaced video interview, Zara and Graziano appeared to be perfectly happy with each other as the Italian dancer praised the TV personality, calling her a “perfect student.”
Zara McDermott and her boyfriend Sam Thompson (pictured) have unfollowed their Strictly Come Dancing partner Graziano Di Prima after he was axed from the BBC show.
The professional dancer (pictured) has been accused of ‘punching and kicking’ the Love Island star during her time on the show last year despite him calling her the ‘perfect student’ in a resurfaced interview.
Graziano spoke about Zara’s evolution, as she had no dance experience, saying: “You can’t compare us to anyone else, she’s never danced before… this is her journey, she has this opportunity to learn how to dance. I want it to be the most memorable and fun experience that she’ll remember forever.”
Zara added: ‘In the world of Strictly, anything can happen. You never know how long or short your journey will be.
“But all I know is that we’re putting in all the hours, all the effort and doing the best we can. And that’s all I could ask for.”
Graziano replied: “What more can you ask of a student like that? She gives her all, she answers perfectly, 10 out of 10.”
This comes after The Mail on Sunday exclusively revealed that Zara, who starred alongside Graziano in last year’s series of Strictly, was the victim of repeated physical and verbal attacks behind the scenes of Saturday night’s show.
It is the latest blow to the BBC show, which is still watched by more than ten million people, as allegations against fellow Strictly host Giovanni Pernice remain under investigation.
A message on Graziano’s Instagram read: ‘My intense passion and determination to win may have affected my training regime.’
The professional dancer joined Strictly in 2018 and last year was partnered with Zara, but they were eliminated in week six.
Now both Zara and Graziano, who have made it to week six of the BBC contest, have unfollowed each other on social media following the allegations.
And her boyfriend Sam (pictured with Zara), winner of I’m A Celebrity, also unfollowed the BBC star following the news.
In a resurfaced video interview, the couple appear to be perfectly happy with each other as Italian dancer Graziano praised Zara, calling her a “perfect student.”
The Mail on Sunday exclusively revealed that Zara, who starred alongside Graziano in last year’s series of Strictly, was the victim of repeated attacks of physical and verbal abuse.
He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 he reached the quarter-finals with actor Kym Marsh.
Graziano’s wife, fellow Italian Giada Lini, who also danced professionally on Strictly, has yet to comment on her husband’s untimely departure.
She continued on Instagram: ‘While I respect the BBC’s HR process, I recognise that it is right, for the sake of the programme, that I step away. I am saddened that I have not been allowed to offer a quote to Online News and I appreciate the sensitivity of the situation.
“There is more to this story that I cannot comment on at this time, but I am committed to staying strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family every success in the future.”
The complaint was recently filed and prompted the BBC to expand its ongoing investigation into allegations that Giovanni had bullied teammate Amanda Abbington during training.
Sources at the show say Graziano’s behaviour makes Amanda’s claims that Giovanni stubbed her toe during rehearsals seem “minuscule”.
A source said: “It was during that meeting that everything unfolded.”
A message on Di Prima’s Instagram read: ‘My intense passion and determination to win may have affected my training regime’
A source said: ‘It seems that whatever Gio has done has opened Pandora’s box.
“It’s incredibly brave of Zara to come forward; it’s never easy for a woman or anyone who has been abused to do that.”
The complaint was not made by Zara herself, but came after several members of Strictly’s production staff raised Graziano’s behaviour with their bosses.
BBC bosses then contacted the journalist’s management and invited her to be interviewed about her behaviour.
McDermott rose to fame on Love Island and has since become a documentary presenter for the BBC.