Zara McDermott says she's in 'safe hands' with Strictly partner Graziano Di Prima in unseen clip from early days of rehearsals amid reports he verbally and physically abused her
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Zara McDermott is heard saying she's in 'safe hands' with Strictly partner Graziano Di Prima in an unseen clip from the early days of show rehearsals.
The former Love Islander, 27, was reportedly verbally and physically abused by Graziano, 30, during her time on the show last year.
Zara broke her silence on the allegations last week, as she took to Instagram to share that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'.
The allegations came to light after members of production presented video of training room incidents to BBC HR executives investigating Graziano's co-star Giovanni Pernice amid bullying accusations from his partner Amanda Abbington.
Now, a video has emerged of Zara and Graziano chatting to GMB's Richard Arnold back in September 2023.
Zara McDermott is heard saying she's in 'safe hands' with Strictly partner Graziano Di Prima in an unseen clip from the early days of show rehearsals
Zara told him: 'Whatever I do I always put a hundred and ten percent in.
'The more rehearsal time the better. This is a competition at the end of the day.'
Richard said: 'You must have the moves already,' to which Zara replied: 'You'd be surprised'
Graziano added: 'She wants to show me the moves already, this and that, perfect!'
Zara then told Richard: 'I think I'm in safe hands. I think I'm in very safe hands.'
Graziano responded: 'You are, trust me.'
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.
The insider told The Mirror that the matter was 'resolved at the time to everyone's satisfaction' and Zara was 'asked if she was OK by a senior producer at the time.'
The source added: 'He used some choice language - he was tough in training and producers spoke to him about the way he was speaking to people. He understood he was being given a warning, and that his conduct had to change.'
Zara said: 'I think I'm in safe hands. I think I'm in very safe hands,' to which Graziano responded: 'You are, trust me.'
The former Love Islander was reportedly verbally and physically abused by Graziano during her time on the show last year
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.
Zara broke her silence on the matter as she wrote: '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.
I nstead 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.
A source from the show told MailOnline: 'There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal, but all of it was dreadful.'
Zara continued in her statement: '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.
Zara broke her silence on the allegations last week, as she took to Instagram to share that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'
Zara shared that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'
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'
'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.'
Insiders have now 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.'
Graziano, who was due to compete in his seventh series of Strictly before his sacking, i s taking legal action against the BBC , MailOnline revealed on Monday.
The BBC has vowed to fight back after it was revealed that Strictly Come Dancing star Graziano Di Prima is taking legal action against the broadcaster.
The Sicilian dancer believes he should have been 'supported and helped' with his behaviour after bosses warned him about his treatment of former Love Island star Zara.
But a BBC insider told the Mail that the broadcaster will fight back, explaining: 'Why would any workplace, particularly one paid for by the public, offer support to someone who acted in an undoubtedly abhorrent manner?'
Graziano, who was due to compete in his seventh series of Strictly before his sacking, is taking legal action against the BBC , MailOnline revealed on Monday
Insiders have now revealed that Graziano is packing up his life and plans to start again in Italy alongside his wife Giada, a fellow dancer who stars on the Italian version of Strictly
Graziano, who allegedly 'kicked and hit' Zara, argues that he was not given any advice on how to deal with the pressure of competing in the show.
A friend of the professional dancer said yesterday: 'There are questions over their [the BBC's] procedures, and how they operate behind the scenes.'
'He [Di Prima] believes that there is a lot of pressure on professionals to get nines or tens to entertain the audience.'
Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Graziano wrote on Instagram over the weekend: '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.
'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.'
