Graziano Di Prima's wife Giada Lina responds to Zara McDermott's statement with telling move after Strictly dancer was sacked for 'hitting and kicking her' in rehearsals
Graziano Di Prima's wife has responded to Zara McDermott's statement about reports the Strictly star 'hit and kicked' her.
Graziano, 30, was axed from the BBC show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara, 27, during last year's series.
And on Tuesday, the Love Island star broke her silence as she took to Instagram to explain that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of', there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'.
Following her statement, Graziano's wife Giada Lini has shown her support for her husband by unfollowing Zara on Instagram.
Zara is still following Giada, despite unfollowing Graziano when his sacking was announced. Her boyfriend Sam Thompson was quick to follow suit.
Graziano Di Prima's wife has responded to Zara McDermott's statement about reports the Strictly star 'hit and kicked' her
Graziano, 30, was axed from the BBC show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara, 27, during last year's series
Zara wrote in her statement: 'I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports,' Zara begain. 'Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.'
'When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it.'
'I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.'
'And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to worth 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 incredible distressing to watch.
Zara explained that she didn't report the incidents at the time as she was 'scared' of backlash.
Instead, it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni Pernice was taking place.
Following her statement, Graziano's wife Giada Lini has shown her support for her husband by unfollowing Zara on Instagram
Graziano married Giada in a lavish ceremony in Sicily in 2022, seven years after they got together
Zara has since broken her silence after Graziano was sacked from Strictly over reports he verbally and physically abused her
'I have wrested with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming,' Zara wrote on Instagram.
'But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC , I spoke candidly about my time on the show.
I have wrestled with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.
'The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up especially in a a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I've seen through working with countless women on my documentaries.
'I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as wel as everyone who has reached out to me - it really truly meas a lot. Love, always. Zara.'
Just two weeks before his firing, Graziano gushed over how his wife Giada Lini and Zara had shared a friendship.
Asked about how the married couple navigate the Strictly 'curse' in an interview with OK! magazine, Giada said that cheating can happen anywhere, but the important thing is trusting your partner.
MailOnline revealed that Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano's conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him
Zara wrote that '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'
And revealing that the couple had socialised with Zara outwith the training studio, Graziano added: 'We always include our dance partners and go for dinner and get to know each other.'
The dancer had also said that he and Giada were thinking about starting a family in the interview - weeks before he was fired and 'fled the UK to Italy to start a new life'.
Of having children, Graziano said: 'We are both dancers and I always say to my wife, when she feels ready I am always here to support her.'
Graziano married Giada in a lavish ceremony in Sicily in 2022, seven years after they got together.
MailOnline revealed that Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano's conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him.
The group expected him to be sacked instantly. They are said to be furious that their complaints were ignored, meaning the abuse towards Zara was allowed to continue. Graziano was even signed on for the upcoming 2024 series of Strictly.
Following the drama, Strictly Come Dancing bosses have announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers
A source from the show said: 'There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal, but all of it was dreadful.'
It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Zara– nine months after their initial complaint – that he was fired.
Insiders have also revealed that Graziano is already packing up his life in the UK and plans to start again in Italy alongside his wife Giada, a fellow dancer who stars on the Italian version of Strictly.
A source explained how the dancer, who is planning to sue the BBC following his sacking, has gone into hiding, claiming: 'Graziano is petrified and in a bad place'.
'He is being supported by his wife Giada and they are planning to pack up and move back to Italy. This has killed his career dead and he knows it,' the insider told The Sun .
'Going back to Italy for a new beginning is what is best for him and Giada.'
