tough gig
Strictly’s Graziano says he put Zara McDermott through ‘pain’ behind the scenes – before ‘hitting and kicking her’
Graziano has been open about his tough training regime in the past
GRAZIANO Di Prima previously admitted to putting Zara McDermott through "pain, pain, pain" behind the scenes on Strictly.
The 30-year-old professional dancer was axed from Strictly this week following claims he hit, spat at and kicked Love Island star Zara, 27, during rehearsals last year.
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In a resurfaced post on Instagram following Zara being sent home from the competition, Graziano admitted to being tough on her during their sessions.
He wrote: "You @zara_mcdermott, you are what Strictly is all about, with humbleness, zero ego, rehearsing 12 hours per day.
"You went through pain, lots of .. AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN!! Never complained, always pushing yourself to learn more! YOU DID IT! Six week in the competition for a person that has never danced before!"
Graziano, who joined the show in 2018 and attended the same "brutal" dance school as Giovanni in Italy, had his BBC contract terminated when spoken to on Monday.
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Zara later broke her silence with an emotional statement posted on social media.
She said: "I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming."
While Zara insisted that the Strictly production team and everyone behind the scenes were "amazing to work with", she confessed that her "experience inside the training room was very different" and said: "There were witnesses to some events as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch."
Graziano, who has also danced with Vick Hope as well as Judi Love and Kym Marsh on the show, previously told of his "sour" training approach in a candid question and answer session.
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In a YouTube chat with Grazia magazine at the start of their Strictly training last year, Zara used to nickname Graziano “sweet and sour.”
Zara said: "What do we call you? Sweet and Sour. Yes Sweet and Sour. He is very, very very sweet and then sometimes.....to be fair when you have told me something 52,000 times and I still get it wrong, you look at me like...and I still get it wrong."
Graziano Di Prima’s Fall from strictly to new job
Graziano simply replied: "I am just passionate."
The allegations against Graziano came to light during the inquiry into claims that Strictly pro-Giovanni Pernice, 33, bullied his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington, 50, on the last series - which he has strenuously denied.
Graziano Di Prima - Strictly statement in FULL
GRAZIANO Di Prima has addressed his Strictly Come Dancing sacking with a statement on social media - see the details below.
In a statement shared to his Instagram page Graziano wrote: "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.
"Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away."
He continued: "While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can't discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
"I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future."
He concluded the post: "I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story."