Zara McDermott and boyfriend Sam Thompson unfollow Strictly's Graziano Di Prima after he was accused of 'hitting and kicking her' in rehearsals

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Zara McDermott and boyfriend Sam Thompson have unfollowed her Strictly Come Dancing partner Graziano Di Prima following him being sacked from the BBC show. 

The professional dancer has been accused of 'hitting and kicking' the Love Island star during her time on the show last year despite him calling her the 'perfect student' in a resurfaced interview which emerged today.

Now, both Zara and Graziano, who made it to week six on the BBC competition, have unfollowed each other on social media following the allegations.  

And her I'm A Celebrity winner boyfriend Sam has also unfollowed the BBC star following the news in a show of support to his girlfriend. 

In a resurfaced video interview, Zara and Graziano appeared to be perfectly happy with each other as the Italian dancer praised the TV personality and called her a 'perfect student'.

Graziano discussed Zara's progression as she had no dance background, he said: 'You cannot compare us with anybody else – she has never danced before... this is her journey, she has just this chance to learn how to dance. I want to make it the most memorable and fun thing she will remember forever.'

Zara added: 'In the world of Strictly, anything can happen. You never know how long or short your journey is going to be. 

'But all I know is that we are putting in all the hours, all the effort and we're doing our absolute best. And that's all I could possibly ask for.'

Graziano replied: 'What more can you ask for, than a student like that? She's giving everything, a perfect answer, 10 out of 10.'

It comes as The Mail on Sunday exclusively revealed that Zara, who starred alongside Graziano in last year's series of Strictly, 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.' 

The professional dancer joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with Zara, 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.

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 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.'

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.

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