Sacked Strictly star Graziano Di Prima has asked to see the training tapes where he is accused of abusing Zara McDermott – but the BBC has refused, MailOnline can reveal today.
The professional dancer was told by the corporation that he can’t see the footage due to ‘HR rules and regulations’, a source has said.
The 30-year-old was sacked from the show after it was alleged footage emerged that showed him physically and verbally abusing Zara McDermott in training during last year’s series.
Graziano is in Italy with his family where he is said to be under medical supervision, being monitored hourly.
A friend told MailOnline: ‘He is very ill so his aim now is to try and recover’.
But he blames the BBC for his current state of poor health, claiming they ‘threw him under the bus’.
‘The BBC made it clear he couldn’t see the tape when he was told he wouldn’t be included in the show this year’, the friend said.
‘Graz has never seen the tape – and isn’t allowed to’ – even though it is alleged that this footage shows him physically and verbally abusing Zara in training during last year’s series.
Graziano Di Prima is reportedly under medical supervision after being axed from Strictly Come Dancing
Zara was making burgers and promoting New Look on Instagram
The professional dancer, 30, was sacked from the show earlier this month after it was alleged footage emerged that showed him physically and verbally abusing Zara McDermott
‘The BBC threw him under the bus’, his friend said.
The same friend also pointed out images of Zara making burgers and promoting fashion brand New Look on her Instagram last night.
‘He is being monitored by health professionals. Meanwhile these influencers, with less talent but a keen sense of their own destiny, carry on’, they said.
Graziano’s family are said to be ‘deeply concerned’ about his wellbeing and are monitoring him hourly.
MailOnline has contacted Graziano Di Prima for comment. The BBC has also been asked to comment.
Since leaving Strictly, the dancer has gone home to Italy to be with his mother, his wife, and the rest of the family.
He is now staying in a remote family farmhouse surrounded by vineyards where he has been a virtual recluse since the bombshell news of his sacking broke.
His actions have shocked his close-knit family, who believe it’s out of character for their golden boy who left the small town to become a star in the UK.
Meanwhile, Zara broke her silence after it was revealed close friend Pete Wicks will perform in Strictly Come Dancing this year.
Despite their close-knit friendship, Pete has landed a spot on the Strictly line-up amid shocking reports Zara performed on the show with a ‘fractured’ leg following an injury in training and needed painkillers to get through ten-hour rehearsals.
The dancer’s family said: ‘Graziano is currently under medical supervision, with the stress of the situation causing significant concern for his family’
Zara has broken her silence after it was revealed Pete Wicks will perform in Strictly Come Dancing this year
The documentary maker and the former TOWIE star are close pals and even joke they have a throuple relationship alongside Zara’s long-term boyfriend Sam Thompson
Pete joined Sam in the Strictly studio audience last year and together they wore patterned shirts embellished with Zara’s face to show their support.
They posed for photographs alongside Zara and Graziano.
Reality stars Sam and Pete became friends following their appearance on E4 show Celebs Go Dating in 2019 and have since hosted podcast Staying Relevant together.
It comes following new reports that Zara suffered a leg fracture during training for the BBC show.
The Love Island star picked up the nasty injury while preparing for a performance with Graziano and despite being in agonising pain, pushed through to compete in the dance-off.
According to sources, Zara was unaware she’d suffered the injury until she sought medical help after being eliminated from the show, and it was only recently revealed to show bosses when she was interviewed about Graziano’s conduct.
Graziano was sacked by Strictly bosses earlier this month after it was alleged footage emerged that showed him physically and verbally abusing Zara in training.
After Zara was pictured in a recovery boot earlier this year, she shared on social media that she’d suffered a stress fracture on her tibia, but did not say at the time it stemmed from her time on Strictly.
Graziano’s actions have shocked his close-knit family, who believe it’s out of character for their golden boy who left the small town to become a star in the UK (pictured with Zara)
Zara is thought to have told BBC bosses of the ‘rigorous’ training sessions she endured while paired with Graziano on the show
Graziano was accused of ‘chasing’ after Zara while ‘screaming abuse,’ leaving her so frightened that she ‘locked herself in a toilet.’
He has apologised for kicking his former partner, but added other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it.’
