Sources have revealed Graziano Di Prima’s treatment of Zara McDermott during her Strictly Come Dancing stint and the TV star was reportedly left in tears by the dancer multiple times

Insiders have lifted the lid on Zara McDermott’s torment behind the Strictly scenes (
Image: BBC)

Graziano Di Prima’s behaviour with Zara McDermott was nothing short of ‘abusive’, according to sources.

The Sicilian-born dancer, 30, was axed from Strictly Come Dancing last week, despite being signed up for the upcoming season of the BBC One dancing competition.

After reports regarding his allegedly ‘abusive’ behaviour emerged, his former dance partner Zara broke her silence in a lengthy Instagram post and Graziano later admitted to kicking her once during rehearsals last year, which ultimately led to his exit – but he denies another report that claimed he had spit on his partner.

Zara notably insisted that the kicking she’d endured wasn’t a single or separate incident. Now insiders have lifted the lid on what they’ve described as “really scary” incidents which took place between Graziano and Zara.

Graziano Di Prima was axed from BBC One’s Strictly after reports of alleged abuse behind the scenes ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Sources have claimed that Zara was repeatedly intimidated by her dance partner last year ( 
Image:
WireImage)

One source told The Sun that, on one occasion, the Love Island star had tried to find refuge from Graziano’s aggression in the toilets, but he only followed her “screaming abuse” and “aggressively calling her nasty names”.

Zara and Graziano’s Halloween performance on Strictly was also tainted by harsh comments from the choreographer, who allegedly asked Zara “if she had gained weight.”

“She didn’t put her foot in the right direction and he was being forceful with her. She was crying behind the curtain during final rehearsals.”

Last September, Zara was even caught in tears after a training session with her dance partner and one onlooker remembered: “Graziano looked furious.”

“He had a face like thunder as he marched towards the car and Zara looked nervous. She tried to hide her face with her hair as she climbed into the back seat but she looked very upset and wiped tears away from her eyes.”

The Daily Mirror has reached out to Graziano’s representatives for comment and a spokesperson has offered a response saying: “The relentless enthusiasm for rumour-mongering by faceless individuals is wreaking havoc. This incessant chatter prevents those seeking peace, exacerbated by relentless media intrusion. The media’s vivid and narrow lens fails to account for the profound mental health issues faced by all those who find themselves ensnared by the turmoil.”

Graziano was the second Strictly dancer after Giovanni Pernice to be targeted with accusations of abusive behaviour behind the scenes.

The claims reportedly stemmed from his participation with Amanda Abbington, who left the programme after five weeks before revealing she’d been diagnosed with PTSD after her stint.

In a new interview, Amanda finally broke her silence about Giovanni and said: “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people. I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.”

A third unnamed professional was pointed out as a “person of interest” in the escalating crisis, while Anton Du Beke is the fourth Strictly star to come under fire for his behaviour in the training room.