Zara McDermott Speaks Out About 'Distressing' Incidents in Strictly Training Room After Partner's Departure
TV star Zara McDermott has revealed that she experienced incidents in the Strictly Come Dancing training room that she now finds "incredibly distressing" to watch back. This follows the news that her dance partner, Graziano Di Prima, has left the show.
On Saturday, the BBC confirmed that Di Prima would "no longer be a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series." Di Prima expressed "deep regret" for the events leading to his departure, acknowledging that his "intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime."
Former Love Island star and documentary maker McDermott posted her own statement, sharing that she had "wrestled with the fear of opening up" about her experiences. "I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming," she said. However, she recently "gained the strength to face these fears" and spoke to BBC managers.
"I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports," McDermott wrote on her Instagram stories on Tuesday. She said she "fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it." Despite being prepared to give her all, her training room experience was different from her overall experience on the show.
"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," McDermott added. She emphasized her gratitude to the production team, fellow contestants, and those who supported her.
After extensive conversations with loved ones, McDermott felt empowered to speak candidly about her time on the show when approached by the BBC. "The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up, especially in a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud," she noted, referencing her work with women in her documentaries. She thanked the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift action and support, as well as everyone who reached out to her.
In his statement on Saturday, Di Prima said, "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."
Di Prima alluded to "external influences" he could not discuss at the time but pledged to remain strong for his family and friends. He wished the Strictly family and the BBC success and thanked everyone who supported his career. "When the time is right, I will share my story," he added.
A BBC source stated that no complaints were made against Di Prima during last year’s series. A producer who attended a rehearsal had asked Di Prima to be more considerate with his training, and the matter was resolved to everyone's satisfaction. The BBC is considering placing production team members in rehearsal rooms as chaperones in the future.
A BBC spokesperson commented, "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 robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised, we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate."
Di Prima's departure follows that of another professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, who left the show amid reports about his teaching methods. Pernice has denied "any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour."
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