Graziano is being investigated over his conduct in training with Zara McDermott (Image: BBC)Love Love Island? Our Factor 50 email brings all the goss direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Love Love Island? Our Factor 50 email brings all the goss direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeSam Thompson described his girlfriend Zara McDermott’s Strictly Come Dancing partner Graziano di Prima as “terrifying” amidst her stint on the BBC show. The Made In Chelsea star, 31, previously shared his views on Graziano, confidently stating he would “take good care” of Zara during her dance journey last year. These comments have resurfaced after the shock news that Graziano has been axed from the 2024 line-up of Strictly professionals last week, following claims that the Italian dancer kicked former Love Island beauty Zara during rehearsals. Graziano owned up to the kicking incident earlier this week but refuted any allegations of spitting at her.
Sam Thompson got to know his girlfriend’s dance partner during her Strictly Come Dancing stint
(Image: zara_mcdermott/instagram)
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Zara finally broke her silence about the controversy on Tuesday, revealing to her followers in an emotional Instagram post why she hadn’t come forward earlier, citing fears of victim-blaming. “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 incredibly distressing to watch,” she shared in her statement. Back in September, as Zara embarked on her Strictly adventure, Sam couldn’t help but praise Graziano, calling him “a lovely man” yet “terrifying”.
Sam described Graziano as ‘terrifying’
(Image: Instagram)
On his Hits Radio show, the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2023 champ exclaimed: “Graziano what a lovely man! What a beautiful man as well… big muscles, about 6ft 4, jacked and a year younger than me as well which is terrifying.” Sam then shared details of a recent get-together with the dancer before Zara and Graziano’s debut live show. “He came round for dinner with his lovely, beautiful wife not long ago – we made him spag bol – and we found out loads about him. He grew up in Sicily, he was a grape stomper – I think that’s what they call it,” Sam disclosed. “He put a roof over his parents’ head when he started dancing, he’s got the most incredible story, he’s the nicest guy.”
Graziano di Prima admitted earlier this week that he kicked Zara McDermott during a rehearsal last year
(Image: No credit)
He also shared his excitement to cheer them on in person: “Hopefully I can go because tickets are very, very hard to come by. But it’s really, really cool and I’m so glad it’s Graziano – he’s going to take good care of her.” Graziano’s representative Mark Borkowski released a statement on Thursday evening addressing the dancer’s mental health and acknowledged that his client did kick Zara during a Strictly rehearsal but said sorry immediately. Speaking to BBC News, Mark stated: “There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.” Despite the belief that the issue had been put to bed, a video of the incident surfaced last week, leading the BBC to drop Graziano from the new season’s line-up. Mark, representing Graziano, admitted that the dancer “does remember that he was pushing [McDermott] quite hard” during the training session in question.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnGiovanni PerniceSam ThompsonZara McdermottLove IslandMade In ChelseaStrictly Come DancingDrama
