Strictly news: Graziano Di Prima ‘under medical supervision’ after Zara McDermott claims as Amanda Abbington makes new allegations

Graziano Di Prima’s family have said they are “deeply concerned” for his welfare following his axe from Strictly.

They told The Mirror: “Graziano is currently under medical supervision, with the stress of the situation causing significant concern for his family, who are monitoring him hourly.

“The unrelenting feeding frenzy over these accusations and his mental state leaves him at this time unable to defend himself.”

His axeing from the show arrives after he admitted to kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott in the rehearsal room during last year’s series.

In a statement addressing Amanda Abbington’s Channel 4 interview, in which she claimed there’s “50 hours” of Strictly rehearsal footage that “horrified” BBC producers, Giovanni Pernice’s spokesperson said:

“We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.

“As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.”

Amanda Abbington has claimed Strictly’s pro dancers text her saying “I’m so sorry” after they discovered she was partnered with Giovanni Pernice ahead of last year’s series.

The Sherlock star told her fellow 2023 contestant Krishnan Guru-Murthy for a Channel 4 News interview, who replied: “That’s a really odd thing to do”.

A tearful Abbington said people warned her it would be “tough”, but that she thought she could handle it “because I’ve been around the block a bit, you know?”

The Strictly scandal has taken the spotlight away from the show’s “curse”, which sees tales of rehearsal room lust dominate headlines every year. But, with new measures introduced to prevent contestants being mistreated by their professional partner, it seems this will well and truly put an end to the “curse”.

Find a history of the Strictly curse here:

Former ‘Strictly’ pro speaks out

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev has said allegations about the behaviour of professional dancers on the show are “sad and shocking”.

Speaking to ITV’s Loose Women about the allegations, Kovalev said: “It’s sad and shocking that we’re in the situation where we are right now.

“And we need to find ways not to let that happen again. I’m sure a lot of people don’t believe it.”

The 44-year-old added: “We need to create the atmosphere where everyone will be heard, [where] everyone (will) feel comfortable going out there to have the best time of their lives.”

It’s being reported that Zara McDermott danced on Strictly despite the fact she had fractured her leg in rehearsals.

Accoding to The Sun, the contestant made the decision alongside her professional partner, Graziano Di Prima. The injury occurred before Halloween Week, which is when McDermott was eliminated.

Producers are said to have only just become aware of the injury.

In the corporation’s annual report, BBC director general Tim Davie said sorry for the complaints facing Strictly Come Dancing.

Davie said: “I’m very sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly positive, I think that is something we do reflect on, and I’m sorry about that.”

Read the full story below:

The forthcoming series of Strictly had all the makings of a victory lap: a celebration of the show’s two decades at the very top of the entertainment game.

But instead, its sparkle has been tarnished by alarming accusations concerning at least two of its most popular professional dancers, a double whammy of scandal that has put its status as one of the nation’s best-loved comfort watches in jeopardy.

The drama has prompted serious questions about what has been happening behind the scenes on the BBC’s beloved show. Can bosses restore its dazzling reputation in time for the big anniversary in September – and more importantly, will the viewers buy it?

Katie Rosseinsky investigates:

The BBC has announced new welfare precautions to help look after Strictly Come Dancing contestants, following allegations of abuse that have shaken the flagship show.

A statement shared last week said: “Going forward, we will: have a production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times; increase existing support with the addition of two new roles on the show dedicated to welfare support – a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer; and deliver further training for the production team and crew.”

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has shared his view in on the scandal currently engulfing the popular BBC reality series.

Horwood, who serves as a judge on Strictly alongside Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton du Beke, addressed the scandal during an appearance on BBC Radio Wales.

“It’s a shock and news to me,” he said, claiming that he had heard about the allegations “through the press”.