Strictly bosses ‘had two complaints about Graziano Di Prima last year’

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Strictly Come Dancing bosses reportedly received two complaints surrounding Graziano Di Prima‘s behaviour towards Zara McDermott during training last year, but only issued warnings in response.

The professional dancer, 30, has been axed by the BBC following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celebrity partner Zara, 27.

Following this, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the Love Island star was victim to repeated physical and verbal abuse behind the scenes of the Saturday night show.

And as more details have emerged, public support for Graziano has dwindled, with one of his pals even quietly deleted a praising comment to him.

It had been said that BBC bosses acted swiftly once made aware of Graziano’s ‘abusive’ actions towards Zara, after reviewing video evidence and speaking to the reality star.

However, it has now been alleged that complaints had already been raised in the autumn, but bosses did not take any serious action.

According to The Sun, they were presented with video of Graziano’s actions on Thursday, before speaking to Zara ahead of the weekend and finally sacking the Italian on Monday.

A source told the publication: ‘Graziano has held up his hands and admits his behaviour was extreme and unacceptable. He knows there is no return and quite rightly. Yet why was no action taken sooner to nip this situation in the bud?

‘Graziano feels if he had received proper support and some sort of anger management training, an escalation could have been prevented.

‘For the Beeb’s part, Graziano was not the only dancer being spoken to and they had absolutely no idea about the alleged kicking — which it is claimed happened twice — and as soon as they were alerted, they took decisive action and fired him.’

They added: ‘Graziano is in bits. He is being monitored 24/7 by his wife Giada and mum who has moved in to take care of him.

‘This whole Strictly fiasco is getting increasingly toxic, and the BBC finds itself trying to complete an investigation while overseeing duty of care to all.’

While a BBC insider insisted: ‘There was no procrastinating. The video evidence was completely and utterly undeniable. 

‘It only showed one incident, but it quickly became apparent from talking to Zara that verbal and physical abuse allegedly took place multiple times. She was incredibly brave.’

As more shocking allegations have come to light over Graziano’s sacking, there has been a marked difference in public support for him.

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Previously, his fans and famous friends had rallied behind him, including fellow Strictly stars Katya Jones, Susannah Constantine and Catherine Tyldesley, who liked and commented on his Instagram post announcing his departure. 

However, Catherine – who was partnered with Johannes Radebe in the show in 2019 – has now removed one of her more supportive comments.

The Corrie star originally wrote: ‘What noooo’ before adding: ‘You are the kindest, incredibly talented, most gentle man… I’m so sorry. Sending you so much love x’.

But now the second gushing comment has been deleted, with only the first remaining on Graziano’s post.

The message on Graziano’s Instagram reads: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. 

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation. 

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’

Meanwhile, both Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson have since unfollowed  Graziano, but she still follows his wife, Giada Lini.

Fellow Italian Giada, who also danced as a professional on Strictly, has yet to speak out about her husband’s untimely departure. 

It is the latest blow suffered by the BBC show, which is still watched by more than ten million people, as allegations against fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice are still being investigated.

Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with Love Island star Zara but they were eliminated in week six.

He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 he reached the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh.

The complaint was made recently and prompted the BBC to extend the inquiry that was ongoing over claims that Giovanni had bullied his partner Amanda Abbington during training.

Sources on the show say that Graziano’s behaviour makes Amanda’s claims that Giovanni bruised her toe during rehearsals seem ‘miniscule.’

A source said: ‘It was during that meeting that it all unfolded.’

One source said: ‘It seems that whatever Gio has done it opened a can of worms.

‘It is incredibly brave of Zara to have come forward, it is never easy for a woman or indeed anyone who has been mistreated to do that.’

The complaint was not made by Zara herself but followed a number of Strictly’s production staff raising Graziano’s behaviour with bosses.

BBC chiefs then contacted her management and she was invited in to be interviewed about his behaviour.

While appearing on Strictly in 2023, Zara said of her dance partner: ‘Bless Graz, I have started with literally no dance or performance experience whatsoever and he has been putting all of his energy into teaching me, with so much kindness, patience and passion.’

When she was eliminated from the BBC show, she broke down in tears as she said: ‘I have had the time of my life. Just to be here is incredible. Thank you to the judges and my amazing partner obviously.’

A BBC spokesperson confirmed Graziano had been sacked, saying: ‘We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. 

‘While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.’