![Graziano Di Prima](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000309121543_17208830658870_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqO-NQjx60lzqnFRETso1T2_lZGmWvTSeHFNdg0w4PUBM.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Strictly Come Dancing star’s ‘deep regret’ as he confirms exit from show
Graziano Di Prima’s departure comes amid allegations about his conduct with past participant
![Graziano Di Prima](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000309121543_17208830658870_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqO-NQjx60lzqnFRETso1T2_lZGmWvTSeHFNdg0w4PUBM.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Graziano Di Prima has confirmed he has left Strictly Come Dancing, saying he “deeply regrets” the events that led to his departure.
The Italian professional dancer acknowledged in a statement on Saturday that his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected” his training regime while competing in the BBC show.
His departure comes amid reports of allegations about his conduct with a past participant on the show.
The BBC confirmed he is no longer part of the 2024 professional line-up and said if issues are raised with the corporation, it will “always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate”.
![The statement Di Prima posted to Instagram](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385456009_17208831964500_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwfSVWeZ_vEN7c6bHu2jJnT8.jpeg?imwidth=350)
In a statement posted to Instagram, Di Prima did not go into details about the events that led to his departure, and wished all involved with the show well.
“My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
He joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 and his dance partners have included Vick Hope, the radio DJ, Judi Love of Loose Women, Kym Marsh, the singer, actress and TV presenter, and Zara McDermott, who took part in reality show Love Island.
![Graziano Di Prima in a pool in Jamaica having breakfast](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385456826_17208849934950_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwfSVWeZ_vEN7c6bHu2jJnT8.jpeg?imwidth=350)
A BBC spokesman said: “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.”
![Graziano Di Prima with Zara McDermott last year](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000354740915_17208833797940_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqd_nkv1AVbMHhJHRj_gg7N3dR78eTBj0hwdfFRfV9oOU.jpeg?imwidth=350)
![Graziano Di Prima with Annabel Croft, the former tennis star, who he partnered on the Strictly live tour](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385456823_17208852537590_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq3sEH_yV4dXVk2s5XBlgFTS_Bzn49BZrgVB1HEqY4tCc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
It was previously confirmed that Giovanni Pernice will not be part of the 2024 line-up of professionals amid allegations about his teaching methods, which he rejects.
Pernice previously said in a statement that he is cooperating fully with an ongoing BBC investigation and that he looks “forward to clearing my name”.
Strictly Come Dancing will mark its 20th year in the upcoming series.
Its professionals will include Vito Coppola, who won last year, and Amy Dowden, who missed last year after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
Aljaz Skorjanec, who won the BBC One series in his debut year in 2013 with Abbey Clancy, is also set to return to the show following a two-year break.
Other dancers in the 2024 line-up include Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas.