Strictly Come Dancing could be thrown into more crisis as former professional dancer Graziano Di Prima is reportedly taking legal action against the BBC.
The Italian dancer, 30, was axed from the show in July over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during last year’s series.
According to The Sun Graziano has now ‘called in top lawyers to sue the BBC’ in a bid to clear his name.
Barristers from Whitestone Chambers have ‘already read thousands of text and WhatsApp messages’ and believe the Italian ‘could sue for unfair dismissal’.
A source said: ‘Graziano feels he wasn’t allowed a fair opportunity to give his side of the story so has been heartened to hear the legal team think he has a case for unfair dismissal.’
They added: ‘They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue. He is weighing up his options but remains hopeful he can clear his name.’
MailOnline has contacted Graziano’s reps and the BBC for comment.
Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano’s conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him.
The group expected him to be sacked instantly. They are said to be furious that their complaints were ignored, meaning the abuse towards Zara was allowed to continue and Graziano was even signed on for the upcoming 2024 series of Strictly.
It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Ms McDermott – nine months after their initial complaint – that he was fired.
Graziano later confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara.
Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.
‘My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.’
‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’
Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with the former Love Island star but they were eliminated in week six.
He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 and he reached the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh.
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Source: CNN
