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Graziano Di Prima returns to the spotlight for first time in months following Strictly misconduct probe

Graziano Di Prima has returned to the spotlight for the first time in months following Strictly Come Dancing misconduct probe.

The BBC fired the 30-year-old professional dancer after he was accused of misconduct towards his former partner Zara McDermott.

Four months after leaving, Graziano posted on social media that he was eager to return to the stage.

 

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A post shared by GRAZIANO DI PRIMA (@grazianodiprima)

After sharing a melancholic video of himself strolling across a bridge at night, Graziano was joined by his wife, professional dancer Giada Lini.

Alongside the clip, Graziano wrote: “Dance has always been the center of my life, my greatest passion, the path I chose and dedicated years of study, sacrifice, and love to. After a period of reflection, I feel stronger than ever and eager to return to what I love most: dancing.”

He continued: “The future is a whole world of new open windows, ready to welcome new dreams and new challenges, and I’m excited to continue this journey with even more determination and inspiration.”

 

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A post shared by GRAZIANO DI PRIMA (@grazianodiprima)

Speaking to his fans, Graziano added: “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is always there for me. I’m thrilled to dance again with the same enthusiasm and dedication as always.”

“See you soon, whether on stage or through new projects that I will be very excited to share with you.”

According to The Sun, the dancer has “called in top lawyers to sue the BBC.”

Graziano Di Prima

A source told the publication: “Graziano feels he wasn’t allowed a fair opportunity to give his side of the story so has been heartened to hear the legal team think he has a case for unfair dismissal.”

“The top lawyers at Whitestone Chambers have scanned through thousands of messages between Graziano and Zara and the other Strictly dancers.”

“They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue.”

They added: “He is weighing up his options but remains hopeful he can clear his name.”

Graziano Di Prima

Addressing his exit from the show at the time, Graziano wrote on Instagram: “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.”

Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima

In July this month, in a new interview with the Daily Mail, Graziano insisted he’s “not a monster” and claimed the allegations against him are “false”.

“I thought we were friends. We were friends,” he said of Zara’s allegations.

“These vile, false allegations ruined my life in a matter of minutes – professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally.

“I can be strict, I can be passionate. I want my partner to go as far as they can. Zara wanted that, too.”

Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima | INSTAGRAM

Graziano was axed from Strictly after it was alleged that footage showed him kicking Zara during rehearsals.

The dancer continued: “You can’t imagine how many times my mind has been going back and forward trying to think of something that happened all those months ago that I can’t figure out.

“The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration. We’d practised hour after hour to perfect a routine with lifts. It wasn’t easy but that’s the pressure of the show.

“I was in pain from lifting her so many times but wanted to get it right. I thought I could save her [from elimination].

Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima | INSTAGRAM

“I wasn’t meaning to kick her. I’d never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor. Afterwards I hugged her and said I was sorry. There was no problem. We carried on.”

Graziano insisted he’s “not an abusive man”, and said he has had “ugly thoughts” since being dropped from the series.

Amid the scandal, its understood the 30-year-old has fled the UK with his wife Giada, and is working on a farm in his native Sicily.

In July, Graziano apologised for his actions with his spokesperson, Mark Borkowski, telling BBC News: “There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that.”

Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima

“He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.”

The spokesperson continued: “But he doesn’t recognise some of the issues surrounding it. The descriptions of what is being commented online, and how he remembers it, are not aligned.”

However, he insisted his behaviour was a one-off incident, which Zara’s representatives hit back at – claiming there was more than one incident.

The Love Island’s spokesperson told The BBC: “It’s a matter of public record that the BBC deemed the conduct to be so severe that they removed him from the show immediately.”

 

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