Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima has said he is “not an abusive man” and vowed to dance again following allegations about his treatment of a past participant on the show.
Last month Di Prima revealed his exit from Strictly after allegations were made about his treatment of his 2023 celebrity dance partner, former Love Island star Zara McDermott.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Di Prima said he “didn’t deliberately hurt anyone” and he did not know from where McDermott’s allegations had stemmed.
He told the paper: “I’m not a monster. I’m not an abusive man.
“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 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.
“I’m not sure if this is it or if it’s from when we, as professional dancers, move our partner’s leg with our foot. That is what is so difficult for me — not knowing.”
He added: “These vile, false allegations ruined my life in a matter of minutes – professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally.”
In an Instagram post, McDermott said she had feared “public backlash” and “victim shaming”.
She wrote: “So much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamed of.
“The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to work with.
“However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.”
She added that she had spoken “candidly” to the BBC about her time on the show.
Di Prima told the Mail his reputation was “zero”, but he was determined to dance again.
“Right now, my reputation is zero and it will take a superhuman effort for me to get up from this hole,” he said.
“But I do believe the truth always wins in the end. I am determined not to let my and my family’s lives be destroyed.
“I will dance again. I will bring joy to people again with my dancing because this is who I am: an international professional dancer, a man of integrity, a loving husband and son who has never forgotten where he’s come from.
“I will not let these lies define me. They are not who I am.”
The BBC announced on July 16 that they would introduce new welfare measures, including a chaperone who will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.
There have also been allegations about the teaching methods of professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, which he denies.
The results of an investigation, launched by the BBC following the allegations, have not yet been published by the corporation.
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