Former contestant Zara McDermott has contacted the BBC about her treatment following Graziano Di Prima’s exit from the dance contest. Can the show shake this off?
‘As embarassing as it is unsavoury’ … Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima dance together on Strictly Come Dancing 2023, prior to her allegations of training room ‘incidents.’‘As embarassing as it is unsavoury’ … Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima dance together on Strictly Come Dancing 2023, prior to her allegations of training room ‘incidents.’
Di Prima is reportedly accused of hitting, kicking and spitting at McDermott during training sessions. Video footage of one incident has apparently “reduced those who have seen it to tears”. A source in the Sun newspaper said that the corporation “had no choice” but to terminate his contract, despite previously announcing that he would be part of the new series. It’s as embarrassing as it is unsavoury.
Now comes the unceremonious sacking of Di Prima on similar grounds. It’s a double blow to the ballroom blockbuster. Strictly’s family-friendly image is key to its appeal. This autumn’s marks the contest’s landmark 20th anniversary, with spectacular surprises planned to celebrate two decades of dance. The current mess has somewhat blown out the candles on the birthday cake.
Further questions now arise. How did the Di Prima complaint come seemingly out of nowhere, nine months after McDermott left the show? If there’s damning footage, why did it take so long to emerge? Surely the same exists for Pernice and Abbington? Higher quality hoofing takes serious work. More time is spent in rehearsal rooms, with celebrities often reporting 12-hour training days. There are extra demands on contestants, too. More pre-recorded segments to film, podcasts to appear on, group numbers to practise. The whole process is more intense. With tired, stressed people competing in high-pressure environments, it’s no surprise that conflicts spring up.Professional dancers are, by their nature, highly competitive perfectionists.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Incredibly intimate’: can 25% of people really orgasm from tickling alone?The results of a new survey are eye-opening – but have a lot to do with the proclivities of those being asked
Read more »
‘Incredibly physical’: AFL legend calls State of Origin the ‘most brutal sport in the world’‘Incredibly physical’: AFL legend calls State of Origin the ‘most brutal sport in the world’
Read more »
‘Incredibly dangerous’: Dashcam footage captures woman’s ‘fraudulent’ act on Aussie roadDashcam footage has captured the moment a woman laid down in front of a stopped car in the middle of the road in a Sydney suburb.
Read more »
What to know about the UK insider gambling scandal that has made Rishi Sunak 'incredibly angry'Rishi Sunak's campaign to hold onto government has gone from bad to worse, as multiple figures within his orbit become embroiled in a rapidly escalating scandal.
Read more »
US ‘incredibly concerned’ over Putin’s threat to supply weapons to North Korea after Asia tourState department warns such a move could destabilise the peninsula, as South Korea considers arming Ukraine
Read more »
‘Incredibly brave’: Two girls raised the alarm on alleged Qld shooterDetectives are working to determine the motive for the shooting, with police saying the man did not know the woman, or anyone else involved, but simply lived on the same street in South Mackay.
Read more »