Strictly's Graziano Di Prima 'made mistake' and kicked Zara McDermott during rehearsals, agent confirms

Zara McDermott arrives for the Pride of Britain Awards with her Strictly dance partner Graziano Di Prima (Doug Peters/PA) (PA Wire)
Zara McDermott arrives for the Pride of Britain Awards with her Strictly dance partner Graziano Di Prima (Doug Peters/PA) (PA Wire)

Strictly Come Dancing's Graziano Di Prima kicked celebrity partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals leading to his removal from the show, his agent has confirmed.

Mark Borkowski said the dancer, who has returned to Italy to work since he was dropped after the incident last year, “made a mistake”.

Di Prima thought the matter had been resolved with BBC bosses but video of the incident is believed to have been brought to the attention of the corporation last week.

The dancer was then removed from this year's line-up.

Borkowski said: “This week, the news agenda has focused on an isolated incident that Mr Di Prima deeply regrets and apologised for at the time.

“The deluge of commentary, too often without context or nuance, has provoked a pile-on that has left a young man in a very vulnerable state. In this case, like in many others, media and social media have immense power to build and destroy careers.”

He previously told the BBC News: "He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time."

Di Prima is now working on a remote farm, he said. "He has literally cut himself off from civilisation,” he said.

"I think that's a wise thing to do, supported by his wife. He's coming to terms with his mental health issues.""

Mr Borkowski said he had advised Di Prima to seek professional assistance since his removal from the show.

The BBC has announced it will put a member of Strictly production staff as a ‘chaperone’ in all rehearsals in the future to observe behaviour.

There will also be enhanced training and two new dedicated welfare producers - one for the celebrity contestants and the other for the professional dancers.

BBC director of unscripted Kate Phillips said the "vast majority of those who have taken part" in the show have had positive experiences.

She said: "If issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.

"Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals."

The BBC has now taken "decisive steps" to "further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production", she added.