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Graziano Di Prima has been dropped from Strictly Come Dancing over “events” he “deeply regrets”.
In what has turn out to be yet one more catastrophe for the collection after a controversy surrounding Giovanni Pernice, it was reported on Saturday (13 July) that the Italian dancer had been axed from the collection over claims of “gross misconduct”.
Di Prima then informed his social media followers he would now not be part of the forthcoming collection, which is about to start in September – regardless of being confirmed to return final month.
He wrote in a now-deleted Instagram put up: “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.”
He went on: “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.”
It’s been claimed Di Prima’s departure adopted unspecified claims made by these engaged on the present who has noticed Di Prima’s alleged remedy of TV star Zara McDermott, whom he was partnered with on final 12 months’s collection.
McDermott isn’t thought to have made the allegation.
The former Love Island star had a tumultuous time on the collection, often ending up within the dreaded dance-off till her elimination in week six of the competitors.
After one significantly demanding day of rehearsals, McDermott hit back at Di Prima when the latter shared a video of her napping, telling her followers she had finished “double the workload” of her associate.
![Graziano Di Prima has been dropped from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/13/14/newFile.jpg)
“Graz just had the audacity to call me and tell me his legs hurt after rehearsals yesterday when he spent 50 per cent of the day sitting down and analysing me doing the routine on my own,” McDermott wrote to her followers.
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The BBC stated it might take any points that had been raised “seriously” and promised “swift action” could be carried out if neccessary.
“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,” a spokesperson stated.
“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.”
![Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima on ‘Strictly’ in 2023](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/13/15/newFile.jpg)
Di Prima wrote beneath the put up, which has now been deleted: “I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share the story of [my] journey.”
The Italian dancer joined Strictly in 2018 and was partnered with DJ Vick Hope. In 2021, he performed with comedian and Loose Women star Judi Love and, the following year, reached the quarter-finals with actor Kym Marsh.
![Graziano Di Prima confirmed ‘Strictly’ exit in now-deleted Instagram post](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/13/14/Screenshot-2024-07-13-at-14.44.16.jpg)
Pernice was dropped from the series earlier this year months after actor Amanda Abbington left the show weeks into the latest series without thanking him in her goodbye message.
Shortly after, Abbington requested what was described by a source as “tense” footage of her rehearsals with Pernice for a supposed investigation. In a recent interview, the star launched a fresh attack on the Italian dancing pro, claiming he was “awful” in direction of a bunch of former contestants.
The subsequent collection of the present will begin in September – and the most recent contestant hearsay is one that might leave long-time fans of the show feeling rather annoyed.