Sam Thompson puts on a brave face on Love Island: AfterSun after BBC bosses sacked Graziano Di Prima for 'punching and kicking' girlfriend Zara McDermott during Strictly rehearsals
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Sam Thompson put on a brave face as he appeared on Love Island Aftersun on Sunday night - after a former Strictly Come Dancing professional was accused of 'punching and kicking' his girlfriend during her time on the show.
Italian ballroom specialist Graziano Di Prima has been sacked from the long-running Saturday night staple over allegations of physical abuse while partnered with TV personality Zara McDermott in 2023.
The former Love Island contestant's five-year relationship with Sam has also been scrutinised over recent weeks, amid claims the couple - who have not been seen together since the beginning of July, despite sharing a home - are holding 'crisis talks.'
But amid all of this Sam still appeared on the ITV spin off show with presenter Maya Jama where he seemed in good spirits.
He also joined Indiyah Polack on the show - who he has previously hosted the Love Island podcast with - as they dressed in England kit in a nod to the Euros final.
Sam Thompson put on a brave face as he appeared on Love Island Aftersun on Sunday night - after a former Strictly pro was accused of 'punching and kicking' his girlfriend during her time on the show
Italian ballroom specialist Graziano Di Prima has been sacked from the long-running Saturday night staple over allegations of physical abuse while partnered with Zara McDermott in 2023
Sam was on the show to commentate on the goings on in the villa for the last week.
The Mail on Sunday exclusively revealed that McDermott, who starred alongside Di Prima in last year's series of Strictly, was victim to repeated physical and verbal abuse in 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 Di Prima's Instagram since said: 'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.'
The professional dancer joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with McDermott, but they were eliminated in week six.
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.
Di Prima'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.
But amid all of this Sam still appeared on the ITV spin off show with presenter Maya Jama where he seemed in good spirits
He also joined Indiyah Polack on the show - who he has previously hosted the Love Island podcast with - as they dressed in England kit in a nod to the Euros final
The Mail on Sunday exclusively revealed that McDermott, who starred alongside Di Prima in last year's series of Strictly, was victim to repeated physical and verbal abuse
McDermott, pictured with her Strictly Come Dancing partner Graziano Di Prima before they were eliminated during Halloween week
'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 had bullied his partner Amanda Abbington during training.
Sources on the show say that Di Prima's behaviour makes Abbington's claims that Pernice 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 McDermott herself but followed a number of Strictly's production staff raising Di Prima's behaviour with bosses.
The professional dancer joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with McDermott, but they were eliminated in week six
A message on Di Prima's Instagram since said: 'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime'
BBC chiefs then contacted her management and she was invited in to be interviewed about his behaviour.
McDermott 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.
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.
