Sacked Strictly star Graziano Di Prima 'kicked and hit' former show partner Zara McDermott and verbally abused her behind the scenes - as Italian star claims his 'intense passion may have affected my training regime'

• What Graziano did makes Giovanni look like a pussy cat': Inside Zara McDermott's 'deeply unpleasant' ordeal. Read the full story here

Strictly star Graziano Di Prima has been sacked from the show by BBC bosses after he kicked and hit his former partner Zara McDermott.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Ms McDermott, who starred alongside the Italian dancer in last year's series, was victim to repeated physical and verbal abuse ongoing attacks behind the scenes of the Saturday night show.

It is the latest blow suffered by the BBC show, which is still watched by more than ten million people, as allegations against fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice are still being investigated.

A message on Graziano's Instagram said: 'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.' 

Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with Love Island star Zara but they were eliminated in week six. 

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He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 he reached the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh. 

Graziano's wife, fellow Italian Giada Lini, who also danced as a professional on Strictly, has yet to speak out about her husband's untimely departure. 

He continued on Instagram: '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.'

The complaint was made recently and prompted the BBC to extend the inquiry that was ongoing over claims that Giovanni Pernice had bullied his partner Amanda Abbington during training.

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Sources on the show say that Graziano's behaviour makes Amanda's claims that Giovanni bruised her toe during rehearsals seem 'miniscule.'

A source said: 'It was during that meeting that it all unfolded.'

One source said: 'It seems that whatever Gio has done it opened a can of worms.

'It is incredibly brave of Zara to have come forward, it is never easy for a woman or indeed anyone who has been mistreated to do that.'

The complaint was not made by Zara herself but followed a number of Strictly's production staff raising Graziano's behaviour with bosses.

BBC chiefs then contacted her management and she was invited in to be interviewed about his behaviour.

The complaint was made recently and prompted the BBC to extend the inquiry that was ongoing over claims that Giovanni Pernice had bullied his partner Amanda Abbington during training.

Sources on the show say that Graziano's behaviour makes Amanda's claims that Giovanni bruised her toe during rehearsals seem 'miniscule.'

A source said: 'It was during that meeting that it all unfolded.'

Zara rose to fame on Love Island and has since become a documentary presenter for the BBC.

In 2021, she revealed how revenge porn had made her consider suicide after a boy shared naked pictures of her around their school when she was just 14.

Her boyfriend, Sam Thompson, won ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2023, beating the likes of Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage to claim King of the Jungle.

But sources claim the couple have recently been in 'crisis talks'.

While appearing on Strictly in 2023, Zara said of her dance partner: 'Bless Graz, I have started with literally no dance or performance experience whatsoever and he has been putting all of his energy into teaching me, with so much kindness, patience and passion.'

When she was eliminated from the BBC show, Zara broke down in tears as she said: 'I have had the time of my life. Just to be here is incredible. Thank you to the judges and my amazing partner obviously.'

 A BBC spokesperson confirmed Graziano had been sacked, saying: '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 and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.'