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Privacy NoticeFormer Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff has poured her heart out about the recent drama surrounding Graziano Di Prima’s departure from the beloved dance competition, sharing a touching message of empathy for Zara McDermott’s ordeal. The BBC has stepped up to confirm tighter controls in rehearsals after claims of “gross misconduct” by two ex-professional dancers. Chatting with Lorraine Kelly, Kristina confessed that the whispers swirling around Graziano feel like a dark cloud over her memories, causing dismay among fans and insiders alike. Kicking off the discussion, Lorraine probed: “Kristina what do you think of all this and the Idea that we should have chaperones at all times.”
Kristina Rihanoff appared on ITV’s Lorraine
(Image: (Image: ITV))
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An emotional Kristina responded: “All of this is very distressing for a lot of Strictly fans to read and for someone who worked on the show for eight years, for me it is very disturbing and upsetting,” reports the Express. Unveiling her thoughts further, Kristina remarked: “For me, as a woman, it was heartbreaking that she actually suffered so much stress and abuse. It is never ok in any shape or form that should be allowed and it’s just very sad that she had to leave it for a whole year.” The former Strictly star has spoken candidly about the increased security measures by BBC bosses to protect cast members, admitting it’s a sad necessity. She explained: “It’s never okay. It’s very sad… from my point of view, if you have cameras there, you do have a member of staff always there. In my years on Strictly, we’ve always had a production crew filming every second of rehearsals and that was the case in all my eight years on the show.”
Lorraine Kelly and Kristina Rihanoff
(Image: (Image: ITV))
She further noted the importance of having evidence on video, stating: “If the cameras are there all the time, you can’t get away from what is being filmed because there is evidence on the video and I think it should have been done like that previously.” Discussing changes in the hit show, Kristina shared with Lorraine: “Do you think it’s a different show compared to when you were there? ” Kristina confessed: “I think the show is very different right now and I also have to say that when I was hired for the show I had to go through a very strict process and I had experience in teaching. “The professionals now might be good dancers but it isn’t the main job – the main job is to teach and teach that person in a way where they can progress on the show and that is the main job.” Addressing the proficiency of current professionals, she added: “At the end of the day it’s about your teaching ability and I think that some of the pros are very young and they probably don’t have their teaching experience so now the BBC having all these issues can they present that they have seen all the paperwork to confirm that we are professionals and letters of support from organisations.” Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnKristina RihanoffLorraine KellyZara McdermottStrictly Come Dancing
